After a brief moment, concern overcame Evelyn. Leading Adam back to the house, Evelyn asked: “What happened?”

Adam sighed with a depressed voice. “The southern flock is too different. They see this war as an opportunity to unite humanity and squash the greed that vying nobles have for each other that sparks wars. A noble idea, but their methods are extreme! They will subjugate the world to bring their 'utopia' to fruition. Even after learning of how humanity was nearly destroyed during the last war, the chieftain hardly cared! He is fine with the rest of humanity dying as long as he can use that knowledge to protect those who follow him into their utopia!”

Evelyn was a little shocked: “I have only heard about those from the southern flock. I have never met them myself. There are many stories about them being tyrannical and it seems that is true...”

Adam shook his head. “There is more to them than that. They appear very tyrannical to those who will not follow them, but they have a very structured society. They wish to see all those who have talent to be able to show that talent and those who don't serve, but are not slaves. It's just... different.”

Evelyn wasn't sure how to respond to Adam's words that were defending the southern flock. She moved the conversation on: “What... What will we do now?”

Adam shook his head: “I'm not yet sure. At the very least, I am certain that there is no peaceable way to stop this war.”

“No peaceable way... do you have another method in mind?” Evelyn asked.

Adam once again shook his head: “The only other method I can think of is join a side and help them overwhelm the others as fast as possible. To end the war being fought in the world before the spirits are ready to come down themselves and wage war with hordes of ghouls. I don't think there is any way from me to do that, though!”

Adam sighed with depression before suddenly coming to a stop. He then perked up again and Evelyn looked with curiosity: “What if... I just destroy all the portal stones instead! Then there will be no way for the spirits to send hordes of ghouls to our world to wage war!”

Evelyn was astonished by this outlandish idea. It was hard enough for others to destroy a single portal stone, yet Adam had found it fairly effortless. Now, he was talking about destroying them all! “But, there are hundreds of portal stones linked to each plane! How will you destroy them all?”

Adam couldn't help but once again shake his head: “It's all I can do for now until I come up with a different plan. At least, it will stem the tide. The primary issue is how to find them.”

Evelyn nodded. “Many portal stones are already under the control of the two sides of the war. These ones are protected and hidden. It may be possible to get the chieftain to tell you where he thinks some of the southern flock's portal stones are. For the stones under the village's control... you might be able to pry that information out too but you will likely be seen as an enemy after you start destroying the stones! As for the others, there is a method to help locate them! The mountain near the village acts as some kind of vocal point that spirit essence cycles through. It is the reason why dragons are attracted to it when they first Dragon-Form. If you follow the thickest streams of spirit essence that cycle through the mountain, it will lead you the general area where a portal stone is! Only, it is incredibly tedious to carefully follow the stream of spirit essence and even at the end, it does not point to the exact location of a portal stone. Only rarely do people try to find portal stones since it is so difficult.”

“Hmm, that will take quite a while. Well, it's something to go off of. And I will definitely hold off on destroying the village's portal stones. The last thing I need is to be everyone's enemies, but eventually they will have to be dealt with too...” Adam responded.

With a semi-plan put in place, Adam could finally rest with ease. Evelyn brought over a cup of water and Adam gratefully took it. After downing the cup, he looked at Evelyn with a smile: “Thanks! I think we will rest for a day or two before heading out.”

Evelyn nodded her head before something suddenly came to her. The house Adam had made was really just for her so it was small and cozy. There was a kitchen area that meshed with a dining/living area and then the bedroom. It was small, quaint, and she like it. However... there was no room for Adam to sleep anywhere besides on the same bed as her! With the kiss she had been agonizing over for the last few weeks, her face turned a little crimson as she timidly asked: “W-where will you sleep?”

Evelyn's suddenly strange demeanor and the timidly asked question suddenly sparked his memory! He finally remembered that kiss! He also just realized that there was pretty much no room for him to sleep anywhere unless he moved everything to one side of the room, which would be an uncomfortable mess. The only other spot was to share the bed...

A little embarrassed, he said: “Ah, I can make an extra side room for myself.”

Caught in her anguished thoughts, Evelyn had seemingly forgotten that Adam could very easily create another room. He couldn't create a very comfortable bed on the spur of the moment, but it could suffice.

Evelyn simply responded: “Ah, good.” which did not help to alleviate the sudden awkwardness that hung in the air.

Adam figured there was no better time to talk about the situation, so he started: “Evelyn.”

Evelyn jumped a little. “Yes.”

“We should talk about what happened back at the beach...”

Evelyn turned crimson and said in dismay: “I don't know what came over me! I just, I just... I don't know!”

There were too many thoughts fluttering about her head. She liked Adam, but did she really love him? He was so much older than her and he had already had a serious relationship with Helen. Could he even love her?

Adam couldn't help but smile at Evelyn's fluster. It showed how confused she was as well, but also how true her emotions were. Adam brought her out of her thoughts by saying: “Let me tell you my part.”

Evelyn stopped trying to fish for answers in her head and immediately paid attention to Adam, with some trepidation. She thought with some worry: 'What is he going to say?'

Adam said: “Long ago, I loved Helen. I have already told you about her. Something I didn't tell you about my trip to the sea of souls was that I tried to find Helen! However, she had already reincarnated. When I saw you right after I came back, what was left of the spirit that I had absorbed told me one thing: Helen! I am certain by what it said and my own feeling... you are her reincarnation!”

Evelyn blankly stared at Adam. This conversation was going in a completely different direction than she had anticipated. “You're saying... I'm Helen?”

“Not exactly. That's where this is getting confusing and hard for me. Your true soul is the same as Helen, but you are not Helen. You are Evelyn. But I see so many similarities between the two of you! A part of me wants to be happy about that kiss you gave me and to try and finally have a successful relationship where I don't just leave you behind like I did last time! But... I don't want to simply be in love with the idea that you are Helen's reincarnation. If we were to get into such a relationship, it should be because I love you as Evelyn, not Helen. Until I know the truth of my own feelings, we should not get into such a relationship.”

Something irresistible in Evelyn's heart squirmed. Without even thinking she moved closer to Adam as she said: “It doesn't matter!”

It was Adam's turned to be shocked! Evelyn continued: “whether it's for Helen or for me, you would have to express your love through me! As... as long as you are looking at me, I don't care about anything else! Just... love me.”

In truth, Adam has never seen Helen with his own eyes. He had only seen the color of the spirit essence that made up her body and soul. He couldn't supplant Evelyn's image with Helen's. Even if he did with her soul, it was still the same after all! Adam's resistance to the idea weakened.

Evelyn's face turned a brighter shade of red as she squirmed and started frantically pacing. She said aloud: “Oh, what am I saying!? I don't know, I've just never felt this way before!”

Looking at her frantic pacing and flustered self, Adam was caught thinking this was adorable. He then started thinking: 'Maybe... it would be alright. Helen wouldn't blame me when we die and meet again in the sea of souls, would she? After all, Evelyn is her reincarnation and not just some other person...'

Adam's mind was finally set. Evelyn truly liked him and, whether for her or to make up for Helen, Adam wanted to respond to that. He genuinely liked her and that was easily turned into love. He stood up and walked over to Evelyn. She was surprised to see Adam just behind her as she turned in her pacing. She walked right into Adam and Adam caught her! She looked up and asked: “Adam?”

Evelyn only found Adam leaning in closer. Her heart a quiver, Evelyn wasn't sure if she should fight back or not. Before she could decide, Adam gave her a passionate kiss. Adam then quietly pulled back from a dazed Evelyn. He said: “This is my new answer!”

Evelyn could only incoherently mumble: “What... this... I...”

Adam gave a small smile: “What, you didn't like it?”

Evelyn's face once again turned crimson as she turned her gaze down. She timidly said: “No... “ she then looked up sweetly and shyly: “I liked it.”

When all was said and done, Adam didn't need to make a new room to stay in. one bed was enough for them.

Adam woke up the next morning to see the figure of Evelyn next to him in the bed. They had spent many moments, both innocent and intimate, together the day before. They had been able to just forget about everything else and enjoy the bliss of what they now had together. After passing that barrier of being unsure about their relationship, they both came to feel a sense of rightness about it. Adam also felt as though layers of age around his heart had been removed. It was like he was back with Helen. The sense of rightness and being able to genuinely enjoy the company of Evelyn.

In truth, this is everything Adam had ever wanted. Someone close to spend his days with and perhaps make a family together. He had really botched it when it came to Helen and his daughter Emilia. He still felt small pangs of guilt and remorse over them, but perhaps he could finally get it right! The only question Adam had was: 'Do I have the strength to protect this. To protect Evelyn during this war...'

Adam began to lazily get up for the morning, reluctant to depart from the bed. After getting up, Adam started throwing a few things together to prepare a morning meal. A short while later, Evelyn drearily came out. Despite being bedraggled, the smile she gave Adam when she greeted him was one of the most charming things he had ever seen.

After a blissful morning meal, Adam sighed. He wanted to stay here longer with Evelyn, but that would be irresponsible. There was much to be done before they could fully relax and enjoy what they now had.

Adam said: “We should prepare to leave in the afternoon.”

Evelyn wished to stay longer as well, but she also realized the importance of what Adam had to do and she would follow him and help him in every way she could. She nodded and said: “Okay.”

Adam scratched his chin, suddenly thinking. They were headed back to the village. Evelyn's parents would certainly be nosy about their new found relationship, but then there was also...

Evelyn asked: “What are you thinking about?”

Adam smirked: “Heinrich's probably going to kill me when he finds out I stole you after all!”

Evelyn gave a slightly shocked expression: “I hadn't thought about that.” She said.

Heinrich had already dueled Adam over Evelyn before. They had gotten past all that, but Adam also assured Heinrich at the time that he was not aiming for Evelyn! Adam shook his head: “It will be fine. We're not the strangers we once were.”

Adam and Evelyn took off to the north later that day. After a long flight a few weeks long, they finally made it back to the village of the northern flock. Approaching the village, Evelyn said: “Let's drop by my house first. I want to see if maybe dad has returned from the war he was taking part in.”

Adam nodded and replied: “Sure.”

Adam dove down to where Evelyn's house was. Resting out on the porch were a pair of familiar figures to Evelyn. Adam landed and Evelyn quickly jumped off his back before running up shouting: “Daddy!”

Evelyn pounced a hug onto her father who had just gotten up from where he was sitting. “Evelyn, you may still be young but your a grown woman now. You shouldn't be acting so childish.”

Even as he said it, Thomas was wildly grinning and hugging Evelyn back. Adam Human-Formed before approaching the porch. He said: “Thomas, your back! How'd it go for you out there?”

Thomas turned to Adam: “Adam! I'd heard that you managed to weasel your way back before taking off with my daughter!”

Adam scratched his head, a little embarrassed, and said: “Uh, yeah. Sorry about that.”

Thomas just laughed it off, not even aware of the multiple implications that were true in what he had said. Evelyn had begun carefully looking over her father after Adam had asked how it had gone with his war. With concern, she asked: “You didn't get hurt while you were away, did you dad?”

Thomas shook his head while sighing: “No, I didn't really get hurt. We lost the war, though, and one on our side died.”

Evelyn's eyes turned wide: “Who was it?”

“His name was Clyde. I don't believe you knew him.”

Evelyn didn't know this Clyde, but was still saddened to hear that another member of the village had died. At this time, a golden earth dragon landed nearby and Human-Formed. Heinrich stepped out with a large smile and said: “I knew it was you Adam! Your Dragon-Form is unmistakable.”

Adam tuned and greeted: “Heinrich!”

As he did so, what was left of the spirit in Adam's soul whispered: “Alfred.”

Adam looked incredulously at Heinrich. He mumbled: “You've got to be kidding me!”

Heinrich touched his face in response and said: “What, is there something on my face?”

Over their journey back to the village, Adam had told Evelyn more details about his past. She wanted to know more about it and Helen as well. She had learned much about Alfred and finally learned the meaning behind Adam's vague comments after he and Heinrich had dueled. The look Adam gave and the words he mumbled spawned an idea in her head. She asked: “Is... is Heinrich Alfred's reincarnation?”

Adam slowly nodded his head. This all only made Heinrich more confused. He asked: “Okay, what is going on?”