CHAPTER 52: 52. COMING BACK HOME

She took a long drink of her wine before moving on. "When I lost my brother in that fire, I thought I had to change who I was to stay alive."

"I wanted to become someone tougher and colder, someone who didn’t need anyone else."

"But I was wrong, and it took me years to figure that out."

Marina looked him in the eye and said, "You’re watching me do what I wish I had done."

"Not letting trauma define you. Choosing to build instead of tear down, and to protect instead of attack. It’s both scary and inspiring."

"Scary?" Greg asked.

"Because I’m scared of losing you," Marina said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Seeing you get better over the past few days and knowing how close you came to dying reminded me that caring about people means being willing to lose them."

Greg didn’t know what to say. He had dedicated much of his second life to proving to himself that he could be better than his past, but he hadn’t truly considered how this would impact those around him.

"I’m sorry," he finally said. "For making you scared, and for not considering how my decisions affect other people."

Marina said firmly, "Don’t apologize for being who you are."

"Just make me another promise."

"What is it?"

"Please promise me that the next time you’re going to give up everything to save people, you’ll let me know first."

"I can either talk you out of it or be there to catch you when you fall."

Even though the talk was serious, Greg smiled. "I promise."

"And of course, I can’t promise that there won’t be a next time, though."

"I know," Marina said. "You’ll never stop being a hero, no matter how hard you try to deny it."

As the last light faded from the sky and the first stars appeared, they finished their wine. Families were gathering for dinner, and lanterns were being lit in windows as the village below got ready for bed. The Guardian’s shape was hard to see now, just a dark shadow against the night sky, but it was still there.

"We should go back tomorrow," Marina finally said. "The village is well on its way to recovery, and your workshop has probably turned into a mess without you there to keep things in order."

"Felix and Bork alone together," Greg said with fake fear. "You’re right, we need to get back before they make something that destroys the whole area by mistake."

Marina laughed, and it sounded real and warm. "Come on, let’s go to bed."

"We have a long way to go.

They climbed down from the wall, and Greg took one last look at the village he had almost died to protect. It wasn’t perfect and hadn’t been fully rebuilt, but it was alive. People were safe, kids were playing, and life went on even though everything had happened.

"Thank you," he said softly, not sure if he was thanking Marina, the villagers, the Guardian, or whatever power had brought him back to life in this world. Marina just held his hand and led him back to where they had been staying.

...

The next morning was full of organized chaos as everyone got ready to leave. The villagers insisted on sending them off with enough food to feed an army, including several barrels of that great wine, wheels of cheese, preserved meats, and enough bread to last for weeks.

Kael said, "There’s no way we can carry all of this," as another basket was pushed into his hands.

The old healer smiled and said, "Then make two trips." This made it clear that it was not up for discussion.

They had to make a makeshift cart to carry everything, and Denna pulled it like it was nothing. Everyone in the village came to see them off. Kids waved happily, and adults shouted thanks and blessings.

The Guardian saw them get ready to leave, and Greg felt something strange in his chest. He had made this thing and put everything he had into making it real, but now he was just leaving it behind.

Marina said, "It’ll be okay," when she saw that he was unsure. "It’s perfect that The Guardian is there."

"Keeping people safe. That’s what you made it for."

Greg said, "I know."

"It just feels strange. It feels like I’m leaving part of myself behind."

"You’re not leaving it behind," Ryn said as she joined them. "You’re letting it do what it’s supposed to do. There is a difference."

The Guardian moved a little, and even though it didn’t have a face, Greg was sure it was looking at him. Then, slowly and on purpose, it raised one giant hand in what could only be called a salute.

Greg’s throat felt tight. In response, he raised his hand, returning the gesture.

"Take care of them," he said softly, and the Guardian’s amber eyes seemed to shine a little more brightly in response.

...

It took three days to get back to Ferndale, but it felt different this time. Greg started laughing more and joining in on the Crimson Falcons’ jokes, even when Felix’s name came up and everyone started making guesses about what trouble he had caused while they were gone.

"I bet he tried to summon something other than housecats," Kael said. "Most likely, they flooded the workshop with them instead."

Denna said, "I bet Bork made something that blows up when you look at it wrong."

"Of course, without meaning to."

"I bet Mira put everything back in a way that only makes sense to her," Ryn said. "And no one wants to ask her to change it back."

Greg shook his head and smiled. "I bet all of those things happened, plus five more disasters we haven’t even thought of yet."

For most of the trip, Marina walked next to him, and Greg noticed that the other people had started to give them space by moving back or ahead to let them talk without being bothered. It was subtle, but on purpose.

Greg said quietly, "Your friends aren’t very subtle." This was after one of their more obvious moves left them alone on the path.

"Yeah, they’re the worst," Marina said, but she smiled. "But they mean well."

On the third day, they reached the top of the last hill that looked out over Ferndale. Greg thought he would see the familiar village below, with his small workshop on the edge of the main square and smoke coming from Lylia’s restaurant.

What he saw instead made him stop in his tracks.

"What the..." He couldn’t stop the words from coming out.

There was now something that looked less like a blacksmith’s shop and more like a small fortress where his workshop used to be. He could still see the shape of the original building, but it had grown in all directions. New wings stretched out like arms, and a second story was added. There was also a small tower that looked like it was coming out of one corner.

"...FUCK IS THAT!?"