Kayden and Lauren were completely lost.

He had carried her for so long, he’d lost all sense of direction and distance. They knew where they had to go now. But they had no idea how to get there.

They walked for long days and long nights, wandering, going anywhere and nowhere.

Then, in the midst of a ridiculously large plain of dancing grass, next to a farming village, they saw the first arrow. A long wooden construction pointing forward with the letters ‘SG’ cut on its side.

“It’s them,” Kayden said, not believing his eyes. “It must be. …The Skyguard.”

They couldn’t talk to the villagers; the physical world couldn’t interact with the Echo, the realm of power. But Kayden knew.

They followed the arrow’s direction to the end of the grassy plains, then through a shining desert. Another village. Another arrow, slightly sideways. Then to a floating ice valley in a wide lake. Then a twisted forest. Villages and arrows everywhere. All with the same letters. ‘SG.’ ‘Skyguard.’

They soon realized the arrows seemed to cover the whole world.

“How…?” Kayden wondered after several days of following the wooden tracks.

“Guess your friends really love you,” Lauren admitted. “And you have a lot of friends.”

In forests, in cities, in towns, in valleys. The arrows were everywhere. Soon, Kayden started recognizing locations. They arrived at the rim of the fallen Skylands, where they found the prison mountain where Kayden had spent centuries, and then the village of Bargolen half-unearthed. They went through the beowolves’ forest. Kayden could show Lauren the Field of Memories, and then they crossed the Valley of Broken Statues.

One last adventure. It had been a long time since their previous one, and even though they’d both changed a lot, it was as if not a single day had passed. Lauren had done horrible things. Kayden wouldn't forget the centuries of crimes she’d done. But, for now, he was willing to forgive. After all, both knew it wouldn't last long.

They turned east before reaching Unbadda, and finally arrived at a massive settlement Lauren called the Citadel.

A procession of Libertatum Brotherhood soldiers were waiting on the streets, opening the way for Kayden, and unknowingly for Lauren too. They had no way of knowing if Kayden would actually find the arrows and follow through with their plan. But there they were nonetheless.

Even so… Kayden and Lauren walked through and past the city. It was not time yet. Their goal was just up ahead.

They reached the fallen Skyland they once called their home a day later. This Skyland seemed to have been abandoned a long time ago. They crossed Edge Garden One, and then the silent streets. They approached Lauren’s house, where her mother had taken Kayden in. They hadn’t been here in a long, long time. They still knew the way by heart.

“You know,” Lauren said softly, “I haven’t seen my old house since I was sixteen. I haven’t been here since we fell from the sky.”

Kayden smiled slightly. “Yeah, same with me. It’s a pretty house.”

Indeed it was. Two floors, white marble. A small staircase up to the door. Dried-up blue flowers at the sides. Forget-me-nots.

Buried into the upper step, in front of the white door, a sword. A shining blue crystal sword.

“The Oath of Megalo,” Kayden whispered.

“Can I ask you something?” Lauren said, looking at him. “I don’t know if you know, but… why that name? What’s the oath?”

“‘I will fight for those who are not here to try,’” he said with a smile. “It meant I’ll use its power to save everyone. That includes you.”

Lauren smiled too. “You never lost your spark.”

“Eh, it was a journey,” Kayden shrugged, and then laughed.

Lauren laughed too. “Go on,” she then said. “Take it.”

Kayden walked up the steps one by one. Just like back then. Alone and crying, pulled up the steps by Lauren. They were six years old.

“I made a friend, Mom,” he remembered her saying. “His name is Kayden, and he’s alone. Can he stay with us?”

Kayden felt like breaking down and crying. It was all so much. But he’d promised he’d never give up again. So, step by step, he reached the top, the doorway, and grabbed the Oath of Megalo with his right hand.

It was heavy. It felt comfortable in his hand. Natural.

So this is it, Kayden thought. I’m the Timewatcher. Am I not? I won't run anymore. It’s time to make things right.

“Now comes the hard part,” Lauren said. “You can’t use it on me while I’m on the Echo. That much I’m certain of. You can’t interact with me if we’re on different realms. And, even with the strength of the whole world combined, you’ll still need me on this side to throw you back to the physical world with the sword.”

“What’s the plan, then?” Kayden asked.

Lauren told him. His heart sank.

“Just… don’t forget me,” she finished with a wry smile.

They returned to the Citadel with the Oath of Megalo on Kayden’s back. They crossed the streets with the posted soldiers. They reached the Spire.

On its base were Tham, the Mimicker, Merdilen, Hassah, and Haroken. Along with all the other friends Kayden had met along the way. Whatever plan they had thought up was working.

Lauren hesitated outside.

“What is it?” Kayden asked.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” she said, turning to him. “Something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time now. …Thank you.”

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“What for?” he said.

Lauren smiled. “You don’t realize how amazing you are, do you? You don’t shine alone. You make everyone you meet light up too. I first realized it when receiving the Bargolen village reports. Not a single one of them was willing to turn you over, and they’d only known you for, what, two weeks? It’s not just your charisma, or your fighting prowess. It’s the very core of who you are.”

Kayden’s eyes widened.

“Your way of making friends…” Lauren continued. “They’re so loyal to you they’re willing to give their lives for yours. They fight and laugh alongside you, even though they barely know you, because they believe in you. You inspire them, Kayden. The way…” Her voice broke slightly. “The way you always stayed in the back of my mind, even through my darkest days. The way you talked to me the past year, as if to a dear friend… Why do you think I kept you alive in that prison, even though knowing you may someday return and overthrow what I’d built?”

She started crying.

“Because I love you, Kayden!” she declared. “Everyone does! Even your enemies can’t help but feel moved by you. You may be the Timewatcher. You may be an entity so cosmic you don’t even know your reach. But you’re the best human I’ve ever met!”

Kayden couldn’t help but begin to cry as well.

“I’ve done terrible things,” Lauren said. “I deserve to die. But I’m glad to have met you! I’m glad to have explored and laughed by your side! When everything went horribly wrong I lost myself for centuries. The thought of you made me slowly come back. Because you never give up. You’re a hero, Kayden. Thank you for everything.”

Kayden stepped towards her, and hugged her tight. He didn’t care. The world as he knew it would change forever as soon as he carried out the plan. So he allowed himself to forgive.

As Kayden and Lauren entered the Spire’s base, the Skyguard followed. There was no way the Skyguard on the physical world could see Kayden and Lauren in the Echo. Even so, they knew.

The air started vibrating as they entered the wide ground-floor chamber. Silent tears streaked down Kayden’s face.

The world’s strongest Lawbenders were all there, Varokan in front. They were all trusting in Kayden. And Kayden was trusting in them.

He turned to Lauren.

“So this is goodbye,” he told her.

“Thank you…” Lauren said, “for carrying me on your back this past year. Thank you for always believing in me. Thank you for being strong enough to do what’s right.” She smiled slightly. “The truth is, I don’t want to die. Not anymore. This world is beautiful. But we need to do what must be done. Don’t forget me, Kayden.”

“I won’t,” he said with a smile. “Don’t worry, Lauren. I’ll get you back.”

The air vibrated stronger by the second. Lauren stepped forth towards Kayden. Then he was gone.

It was a blink later that Kayden reappeared in the physical world.

Tham ran to embrace him, and so did Merdilen and Hassah.

“You’re back,” Tham said. He smiled. “I knew you were alive.”

Kayden smiled too. “I am.”

“And… what’s this?” Merdilen asked. He looked at Kayden with amazement. “Is it…?”

“It is,” Kayden nodded. “The Oath of Megalo. Don’t worry, you all. All this pain, this suffering… it will all be over soon.” He grinned. “Don’t forget, though. All of us… We’re the Skyguard to the end.”

“Wait! Don’t leave yet,” Tham said. “I have no clue what your next move is, but hold on a moment. …Thank you for everything, Kayden. I have no idea where I’d be if it weren’t for you. You’re amazing, you know.”

Kayden grinned. “Thanks to you, Tham. Who knows if I’d ever have come back if it weren’t for you. Quite the plan you brought together here. You’ve grown a lot. If this timeline keeps going on, somehow, in some corner of existence… I know you’ll do great things. I believe in you, Tham.”

“We’ll be here to help him along the way,” Hassah said, punching Tham teasingly in the shoulder with a smile. “Thanks, Kayden. I’ll never regret having helped you guys that day. You’ve all made me the best version of ‘me’ I’ve ever known. I won’t forget that.”

“For sure,” Kayden agreed. “A little someone told me you wanted to learn an instrument,” he then said, and winked. “There’s not enough musicians in this world. I’m counting on you.”

Merdilen then smiled, and spoke. “Did you do it? It’s been a year. Did you get to redeem her? I have a feeling you did.”

Kayden smiled widely. “I guess I did. It took a lot of talking.”

Merdilen raised a victorious fist. “I knew it. I knew you had it in you, man.”

“Merdilen, man,” Kayden said. “Keep protecting this world. I know you have it in you too.”

Merdilen nodded firmly. “You know I will.”

Kayden nodded, and then headed over quickly to the entrance of the base chamber. Haroken was waiting just outside, with the Mimicker hanging from his side on its sheath.

“Haroken,” Kayden called out. “This is it, huh? I believe in you, you know. You’ll get to fly again. Don’t lose sight of your dream.”

Haroken remained silent for a moment.

“If you believe in me,” he then said, “I can too. Keep fighting for the right cause, Kayden.”

Kayden patted him on the neck. “I will, good friend.”

“Kayden!” the Mimicker then called out. “We just got you back and you’re leaving already?”

Kayden laughed. “Looks like it. Mimicker… You see? You are much more than a killer sword.”

“Yes!” the Mimicker exclaimed. “‘Savior sword’ sounds much better instead. I’ll miss you, Kayden. We all will.”

“...I’ll miss you guys too,” Kayden finally said.

He walked back to the center of the chamber, taking one last look at everyone. Even Varokan nodded at him with a proud smile, with the Right-Hand Man cheering on Varokan’s right shoulder. Kayden smiled wholeheartedly at each and every one of his friends.

And then… he was gone again. Lauren’s plan.

Both of them knew he wouldn’t be able to land a single slash on Lauren as the Everbender. The Oath of Megalo would be worthless if it didn’t touch her blood. So Lauren regressed time and space, with all the power of the Echo in her hands. Not on Kayden –that would make him forget. But on the world. On everything else.

And Kayden was back home.

Edge Garden One was as beautiful as in its glory days. Kayden enjoyed the view one last time. He was up in the sky, standing on the Skyland that once was his world. Tears ran down his face as he crossed it step by step towards his favorite bench. He knew they’d be there.

“Can you believe that, Kayden?” twelve-year-old Lauren was saying, swinging her feet back and forth. “These adventurers explored the Skylands in skyships! That’s insane!”

“Whoa!” twelve-year-old Kayden agreed, holding a thick and heavy book. “How I wish I could be one of them.”

“We can,” little Lauren then said. A small silence. “We can be heroes too, Kayden. Appear in history books. How amazing would that be?”

Kayden gritted his teeth, wincing. Why… did it have to come down to this?

There’s no other choice, he said to himself. There’s no other way.

It was the Timewatcher’s duty to save the world. Wasn’t it?

He slowly approached the bench with the two children, his tears blurring his sight.

“Lauren,” he called in a shaky voice.

The young blonde girl with blue eyes turned towards him with surprise.

“I’ll get you back,” Kayden Almerth whispered.

And, shutting his eyes, stabbed Lauren Lerahen through the heart.