“Hey Matt! Where’d you go last night? Did you decide to live with your aunt too?”

The knight was surprised when he arrived at Branton, seeing his friends had prepared to leave, but were waiting for him. Less surprising was the rogue’s sarcastic greeting. ‘It’s like I was never even gone.’

“No, but she let me stay the night. Also free dinner and breakfast. And I had to say goodbye to my sister. Believe me when I say this: Lucy was a wealth of information.”

“Oh yeah? What did she have to tell you?”

The knight relayed the information to the group, secretly enjoying his friend’s reactions, which were equal parts floored and amazed.

“That’s insane. He must have planned this out. But…who is Monty? And how did this Jade know so much about Lucy?”

The knight shrugged, not able nor willing to think about it. “It doesn’t matter. We’ve got the princess, the sins are taken care of, let’s head home.”

The group headed out of town and on to the risen path, every member glowing with pride. Even the weather seemed to be in their favor, the wind blowing softly, the sky without a single cloud in sight.

The leader looked back at his team, watching Eric and Adriana rest their heads on one-another, Brian and Jessica arguing over something, and Sarah talking with the princess, the latter was enamored with the elf’s bow. As time pressed on and the grouped passed Gnash, the mage and cleric were talking to the princess, Adriana was talking with the dragoon, and the archer stole the couple’s idea from earlier.

Matt inhaled, eying the northern gate of Lumina. Exhaling, he turned to the group, in one moment remembering them as they were two years ago, and in the next, seeing them now. As they entered the city, the citizens gathered around them, a large crowd forming as they reached the middle ring. With fanfare blasting in their ears, the group eventually reached the castle, meeting the queen in the garden.

Elizabeth ran over to her mom, squeezing her tightly before running off. The queen signaled the group to follow her into the throne room.

“No words can fully express my gratitude, the kingdoms gratitude! You kids, no, you adults are no longer prodigies. You are legends. As promised, anything you desire shall be granted.”

Standing up, Matthew looked into the queen’s eyes. “Your highness, could we request homes elsewhere?”

The queen lowered her head, her stoic expression drooping. “I must apologize, but I need you in Lumina to prevent this incident from reoccurring. If you wish for a home here, that can be granted in a heartbeat.”

“Then we shall take new homes in Lumina. One for Sarah and I, one for Adriana and Eric, one for Brian, and one for Jessica.”

“As you wish.” The queen walked back to her throne. “Know that I will hear future requests as well. You are always welcome to ask something of me, you have earned more than can be paid in gold, silver, and bronze.”

Walking back to the square, the group saw that they were not alone. Their parents had surrounded the square, each one congratulation their child.

“Oh baby, you’ve made this old dog proud!” The rogue’s father laughed heartily.

“Son, you’ve officially become a man today.” Eric blushed at his parent’s remark, giving his dad a weak punch.

“Look at our little man! He’s the best dragoon in Lumina!” The blonde was snickering at Eric’s parent until he heard that.

“Jessica, warrior or not, you’ve made us so proud.” The mage took her compliment with pride.

“Matthew, I knew you were special since the day you were born, but I could never comprehend this happening. Today, you are no longer a boy or a teen, you are a man, a man that will be remembered forever.” Matt and John exchanged a long embrace, the knight wanting this feeling of joy to last forever.

Turning to his girlfriend, he had no time to prepare himself for what happened next. Sarah kissed him, a long kiss that took away his breath. Instead of shambling back in surprised, he pulled her in close, letting his mind go blank.