"Are you no longer lost?"
The wind and snow had vanished at some point. The camp in the Lost Forest had returned to how it looked when Shade first arrived. Though they were still here, everyone let out a sigh of relief. The omnipresent pressure that had thrown time and space into chaos was gone. They could go home.
"It's over."
Shade rose to his feet, and the others, coming back to their senses, stood as well. Together, they looked to the left of the bonfire camp. A path had appeared through the misty woods, the road leading out.
Chloe tightly held Shade's hand and asked softly:
"Are you leaving again?"
"Yes. It's time to say goodbye again."
"I'll remember this story, sir. You're a truly amazing person."
The Bard was the first to speak to Shade, bowing with his instrument in his arms to express his gratitude.
"I'll do my best to find that card again. You helped me, and I won't forget it."
Said the brown-haired Witches. The beautiful apprentice beside her repeated the same words twice:
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
Shade nodded and stroked the cat in his arms before finally looking at Chloe. Those golden eyes had been watching him all along.
"There will be another chance for us to meet, right?"
The petite Witches asked.
"Yes, there definitely will be."
Shade placed Mia on his shoulder, then gave her a hug. The Demigod Witch skilled in wielding Ice power immediately followed it with a fiery kiss.
Shade tasted blood in that kiss, but it was not his blood. It was hers:
"Last time, you gave me your blood. This time, please remember the taste of mine."
She spoke softly, with a trace of shyness in her expression that was difficult to detect. Shade smiled, then