“Ha, ha.”

Arslan breathed roughly. I clicked my tongue and looked at the sea. After fighting for several hours in the middle of the city, we took it to the place where I trained.

“Don’t tell Ama about this.”

I smirked.

“I am definitely going to tell Ama I kicked your ass.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“That’s not what I mea- Ah.”

Arslan’s eyes widened with sudden realization, his breath still heavy from our extended sparring session. He pushed himself up to a sitting position, wiping sweat from his forehead.

“You will have to tell her, one way or another. Lies and hidden truths have no place in a healthy relationship.”

Saying this while keeping truths hidden myself is making me feel like a jerk. Arslan grimaced, looking down at the ground. "I know. I just... don't want to see the look on her face when I tell her."

I nodded, understanding his hesitation. "It's not going to be easy, but Ama deserves to know the truth. She cares about you, and she'll stand by you. But you need to be honest with her."

Arslan sighed, his shoulders slumping. "You're right. I'll tell her. Just... not today."

I chuckled, smacking his shoulder. He shot me a look of anger before turning back to face the sea.

“I just don’t know. Halfbreeds cannot use Primal Evocation. What if Ama doesn’t want me because of it? Her family has a history after all. She wouldn’t want to have babies who cannot use the most powerful ability of the beastkin.”

I sat down next to him, letting the sound of the waves fill the silence for a moment.

"Arslan, if Ama loves you, she loves you for who you are, not for what you can do. And as for the Primal Evocation... It's a powerful ability, yes, but it doesn't define you or your worth. Also, most pure-blooded beastkin also can’t use it. Hell, even Ama can’t use it reliably.”

He looked at me, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "But what if—"

I cut him off with a stern look. "No 'what ifs.' Love isn't about conditions or abilities. It's about trust, support, and being there for each other. If Ama truly loves you, she'll understand and accept you, halfbreed or not."

Arslan sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "You're right. I just... need to find the right time to tell her."

I gave him a reassuring smile. "There's never a perfect time for these things. Just be honest and open. She deserves that much."

I stood up and stretched.

“Come on. We have already been here for hours. Thalia will scold me for overdoing it.”

He held my hand and I helped him get up.

“I don’t think she is capable of scolding or talking back to you. You are like a god to her.”

I sighed.

“More like a demigod. But yeah.”

He looked at me with concern.

“What will you do after Whifur gets restored?”

I paused, gazing out at the horizon. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore was soothing, a stark contrast to the chaos that often filled our lives. What would I do once Whifur was restored? It was a question I knew the answer but I didn’t like it.

“I will depart to Quipax. I have to meet with Quenn of the Amazons, unite them, conquer War God’s Area, and defeat Moloch. Easy.”

Arslan chuckled at my words, but there was a seriousness in his eyes.

“You have it rough.”

I ran my hand across my hair, feeling the dried-up flower crown.

“It is what it is. One has to do it and I was given to tools for it.”

It was clear that he had some things to say about it but he kept silent.

As we walked back, I could see the city bustling with activity. Humans and beastkin worked side by side, rebuilding what had been lost, strengthening what remained even though the sun was going down. Most beastkin could see in dim light and mages were setting up lights.

As we approached the city walls, Thalia was waiting for us, her expression a mix of relief and a smile hiding her anger.

“Your majesty. You said that you were going to come back shortly.”

I chuckled, holding up my hands in mock surrender.

“We had some things to speak about.”

Arslan tried to escape but no way in hell I would take this alone. I grabbed his shirt, pinning him in the place. She looked at Arslan, who was still catching his breath and gave him a sympathetic look. "And you, Arslan, you should take care of yourself as well. No more pushing yourself too hard."

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Arslan nodded, giving her a tired smile. "Yes, Priestess."

Thalia’s eyes softened as she looked between the two of us, clearly torn between her duty and her concern. Still, she didn’t speak further and walked back with us. We walked silently, observing the city. That was until I saw Ursara and Blaria. Since I hadn’t seen them since I woke up, I walked towards them. However, my smile was cut as I noticed Blaria’s condition. His right leg was gone below the knee and he looked way skinnier than he used to be. I quickly regained my smile.

“Heyo. What are you guys doing?”

Ursara's face lit up with a warm smile, while Blaria's expression was more subdued but no less welcoming.

“Your majesty.”

Ursara bowed down in a mocking manner.

“Don’t call me that. I can’t get Amazons to stop. At least you guys be normal.”

I sighed and shook my head. Both of them laughed.

“We are trying to be well. I thought a small date could make both of us feel better.”

I nodded.

“You thought well.”

I gave them a genuine smile, trying to lighten the mood despite the heavy atmosphere. I looked at Blaria, keeping a still face. It wasn’t the first time I had seen someone lose their limbs and I knew that they hated people pitying them.

"How are you managing, Blaria? Is there anything more we can do to help?"

Blaria glanced at his missing leg, a shadow crossing his face. "It's... an adjustment. But Ursara has been a great support. We're making it through, one step at a time."

Ursara squeezed his hand, his expression filled with determination. "We'll get there. Together."

I gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

“Well, I shouldn’t keep you guys. Have fun and call me if you need anything.”

As I walked away, leaving Ursara and Blaria on their date, I signaled Thalia to come closer.

“Is it possible to regrow a limb?”

I asked. My Divine Touched title allowed me to recover fully, even healing my sight and liver. I have also seen monsters regenerate their limbs in mid-combat. Thalia looked sad before shaking her head.

“I am sorry Your Majesty. We can reattach limbs if it hasn’t been long since they were severed but regrowing one is difficult.”

I touched my chin. Arslan looked at Thalia intently.

“Difficult but not impossible?”

Thalia took a deep breath before explaining.

“Regeneration is often based on one’s species, Your Majesty. However, by careful mana manipulation and high-rank healing abilities, one can guide the body to recover parts they cannot normally heal. But that would require the target to have massive amounts of Vitality and Mana otherwise they would die during the process. That beastkin doesn’t have the necessary Vitality and Mana to survive the process.”

Arslan clicked his tongue in disappointment.

“He is alive. That’s what matters.”

I tried to reassure Arslan. He didn’t reply. We didn’t speak more that night.

The hours turned into days, and the days into weeks, as Whifur slowly but steadily rose from the ashes. The city, which was mostly destroyed returned back to what it used to be. The scars of battle were still visible, but they were overshadowed by the signs of progress and unity.

Now, as the city finally stood tall and proud once more, the time had come for me to embark on the next leg of my journey.

“You sure about not coming with me?”

I asked Lily. He shook his head.

“A city filled with muscle momies sounds good but I think I will take the elves. Plus, you were the one who told me to master my elemental stuff.”

I gave him a tight hug.

“Don’t do something stupid.”

He whispered into my ear.

“That’s your job.”

I replied with a smile. I turned to Ama and hugged her.

“See you later.”

Next, I turned to Morrigan and Aine.

“You’ve done so much here, Poyraz. I have no doubt you’ll accomplish even more in Quipax.”

Aine pulled me into a tight hug. It took some effort on my part to get out of it despite the strength difference we had. Morrigan placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Be safe Poyraz.”

“You too.”

I bid my farewell to Elandris, Methild, and Börü as well. I turned to Larve who was saying her own goodbyes while crying. I patted her head.

“We will come here again.”

With my farewells said, I turned to face the road ahead. I lifted Larve to the horse before jumping on it myself. I waved to the beastkin who came here to say their goodbyes.

It was time to open another chapter in my life.