After the battle with the dragons, I felt completely exhausted. Every cell in my body screamed from fatigue, and my legs felt like they could give way at any moment. Surviving two such fights in a row was a real test - physical and emotional, which not everyone could withstand.

But I still stood, although everything inside me was empty. Somewhere on a deep subconscious level, I felt a strange emptiness, as if after these battles something important had disappeared from my life. There was no longer a threat to me, nor the inhabitants of Orkvalia, nor to my friend Nyx.

But this feeling did not bring real relief, only a strange silence inside. After all, when you know your enemy, despite the fear and risk, you feel relatively safe. You understand what you are dealing with, and you can prepare. Enemies you do not know, those who hide in the shadows, can swallow your peace completely. Their unknown threat makes the blood run cold in the veins more than the presence of an obvious enemy.

I had won the battle, but the thought that new trials might await me ahead did not give me peace.

The savannah sun was mercilessly scorching, its rays digging into my skin like fiery needles. I felt how thirst was gradually beginning to dry my lips. Remembering my enchanted flask, I took a sip. The water was cool, and with each sip, the feeling of fatigue receded a little. The thirst that tormented me instantly disappeared, and with this, I felt a slight surge of strength.

However, my legs still obeyed me with difficulty, as if they were reaching for the ground. My entire body required rest, but I knew that there were still things ahead that could not be postponed.

I went to look for Mila, the daughter of the blacksmith Maleus. According to my calculations, it was no more than five miles to the dragon's nest. Five miles is not a long distance, but it was not the journey itself that scared me more than the task that lay before me. How to find the girl among hundreds, if not thousands of children who were stolen from their parents?

It is quite possible that the guards of these unfortunate children were the same serfs - the heartless servants of dragons. After the fight with Pyronax and Cryonax, it seemed to me that nothing could frighten me anymore, and no enemy posed a real threat. But at the same time, I understood: that I did not want more blood. However, anyone who dared to stand in my way would pay a price. Without a doubt or hesitation, I would chop down anyone who tried to stop me from returning Mila.

To shorten the path and get to the nest faster, I decided to use my wings. But as soon as I tried to flap them, I immediately realized - that the feathers burned in the fiery breath of Pyronax did not grow anymore.

The air around me seemed to become denser, and each flap brought no relief. I tried to summon the wings of a bat, hoping that they would be stronger and allow me to rise into the air. But the result was no better. Instead of powerful membranous wings, some rags hung behind my back, like the remnants of former greatness.

But was this what a winner was supposed to look like?

My mind, melting under the merciless sun, still dreamed of an ideal triumph. A picture worthy of the greatest legends popped into my head. I saw myself surrounded by Mila on one side and Nix on the other, majestically returning to the village of Maleus.

The sun, huge and crimson, sets behind the horizon, as if paying tribute to the victory achieved. Its golden rays envelop us, creating highlights that shimmer on the ground, like on the screen of a Hollywood movie. The wind plays with my hair, fluttering my cape like a victorious banner. It also touches the blond locks of Mila, walking next to me. The girl's face is lit up with hope and relief. The blacksmith's daughter, whom I promised to take care of, looked ahead but was probably still digesting the horrors of what she had experienced.

Next to us, confidently carrying his staff, Nix walks. His gray beard rises in the wind as if signifying the triumph of wisdom over cruelty. He looks as if he always knew that victory would be ours. Confidence burns in his eyes, and there is a slight smile on his face as if he foresaw our every move.

If there had been trees with thick foliage around, I could have found at least some shade and fallen right to the ground, giving myself a break. But the local trees - crooked and dry - did not provide even a scrap of shade.

I felt the heat of the scorching sun burning my back as if teasing and reminding me that rest would have to be postponed. There was only one thing left - to continue walking forward, towards the nest, hoping that my strength would not leave me before I reached my goal.

I looked at the sun and asked it with a groan:

"The dragons did not burn me, but I feel that you will kill me."

The stream of sun rays seemed to answer me with its silent, inexorable heat, penetrating my body, sucking out the last of my strength.

I applied myself to the flask again, greedily gulping down the cool water, which instantly cooled my throat, but did not relieve the sweltering heat. To protect myself from sunstroke, I took off my cape and threw it over my head, wetting it with water. The wet compress slightly reduced the burning flames of the savannah, but at the same time brought strange visions.

Suddenly, Nix appeared in front of me. He walked confidently towards me, his gray beard fluttering in the wind, as always. But he was not the only one here. Mila walked next to him - her fragile silhouette shimmered in the air like a mirage. There was something strange in her eyes as if she was looking at me with suspicion, mistrust. Ten steps away from me, she stopped, and her gaze pierced me through and through as if trying to understand - was I real or just a ghost created by the desert sun?

I continued to walk forward, knowing that this was an illusion, born of fatigue and heat. The vision should soon disappear, as hundreds before it had already disappeared.

"Arian!" — Nix's voice rang out, so clear and bright that I involuntarily stopped. It was strange... but I didn't have time to think about it.

"Arian?" — a girl's voice sounded, so familiar and real. — "Is it you?!"

I sighed, realizing that this was not just a hallucination.

A dozen questions arose in my head, but I didn't have time to voice any of them. Nix, as if reading my thoughts, spoke first:

"Let's go home and talk there. Take Mila's hand, and give me yours. We must form a closed circle."

I cast a farewell glance at the dead dragons and the destroyed nest of Pyronax. A variety of emotions boiled in my chest: from relief to confusion.

But without thinking, I firmly grabbed Mila and the old man's hand. The girl's hand, despite the heat, was cool and soft, like a baby's. Nix's hand reminded me of a dried-up tree — hard and gnarled. He whispered something, and for a moment we were covered by a blinding glow.

A moment later we found ourselves on the road leading to the village. The villagers who had met us, as if on someone's signal, poured out to meet us, spreading out on both sides of the path. The sun, huge and crimson, was slowly setting behind the horizon as if emphasizing our victory. Its golden rays gently enveloped the earth, turning the evening light into shimmering gold, which shimmered along the path, like the path of a hero.

A refreshing breeze gently played with my hair and fluttered my bloody cape, like a victor's banner. It touched the blond strands of Mila, who walked next to me. Her face was distorted with fear, and every step was difficult for her. The blacksmith's daughter, whom I promised to take care of, constantly looked back, as if she expected dragons that no longer existed to chase us.

Nix walked next to me, confidently leaning on his staff. His gray beard bristled in the wind like a thick piece of cotton, but his gaze was tired and worried.

Like me, he noticed that something was wrong with Mila.

Something small and fluffy, like a playful kitten with clinging paws, began to climb up my clothes. It was my little fluffy!

I grabbed the little animal, pressed it to my chest, and kissed its wet nose several times.

"Enough, enough!" Tush began to protest. "I'm married, in case you've forgotten."

"Tush, you little rascal! We won!"

Fluffy immediately realized the good news. He stretched out his little paws to me, and I, with a feeling of satisfaction, allowed him to hug me around the neck.

"Where's Tina? I don't see her."

"She's in the house, feeding the babies."

"You've become a dad?" I was sincerely happy.

Tush bragged, sticking out his belly and boasting:

"I have two sons and a beautiful daughter. Guess what I named my sons?"

I shrugged uncertainly. What names could the Ursi tribe have? "Maybe Tushtin and Tintush?"

"A good attempt, but not a sure one. I named my sons Arian and Oris. And my daughter - Chika."

Tears came to my eyes. Perhaps I would have shed a few tears from such good news. It was so nice to have children named after me.

A question asked by one of the crying women brought me back to reality:

"You brought back the blacksmith's daughter. And where are our children? Why aren't they here, celebrating your victory with us?"

I was confused. Of course, my goal was not only to return Mila. I wanted to return all the children, but I hadn't even reached the nest. I hadn't seen any of the children anymore. Not knowing what to answer, I looked at Nix. The old man, unlike me, was more confident.

Trying to give an exhaustive answer, he said that Mila's rescue happened by accident. The girl tried to escape from the nest and, hiding from her pursuers, ran into Oris. Returning to the nest, Oris found the caves abandoned and empty. The dragon's servants, having heard about the death of their masters, left and took the entire population of the nest in an unknown direction.

Nix spoke so confidently that I secretly admired his ability to lie without embarrassment.

Suddenly the girl we had saved spoke up:

"They all died, no one can be saved!"

Mila burst into tears, and her cries were picked up by the other women. My picture of a triumphal procession was instantly destroyed. What kind of triumph could we talk about when so many children had disappeared without a trace?

The situation was saved by Nix again:

"Each of the missing children is the parents' hope for the future. But with the disappearance of children, the future itself disappears. Pain lives in our hearts and is unlikely to ever disappear. But if you indulge only in pain, real life will flash by. Oris killed the dragons. Do you understand? There are no more dragons! This guy single-handedly destroyed the entire Pironax family, and now neither dragons nor their servants will ever appear in the village, nor the country as a whole. No one will take away or steal cattle, steal children. You can stop being afraid that your house, village, or people can be burned. You can speak out loud and not be afraid of being beaten by a dragon's servant. Thanks to this man, the residents of Orqualia received their well-deserved freedom."

The villagers, having heard the deafening news, fell into a state of joyful shock. They did not believe what Nix said. The people looked into each other's eyes, and their faces reflected uncertainty and hope.

"No one will take my bull?" asked one of them, holding his little son's hand.

"I can rebuild my house and not be afraid that someone will burn it down at night?" added another, looking at the old man in bewilderment.

"Where is the proof of what you say, old man?" growled the third, hiding his growing son behind his back.

I smiled wryly, looking at their faces. Mistrust is the scourge of humanity. If this vice disappeared, perhaps the world would become a better place. Imagine that out of ten people, nine can believe, and the tenth will have a tricky question.

"What if this is just a trick? What if the dragons come back?"

All this seemed absurd to me. However, in this universe, even the most obvious facts were often questioned.

The only proof that the dragons were dead was my cloak, soaked in the blood of Pyronax and Cryonax. But who would believe it?

At that moment, Nyx showed his resourcefulness again. Suddenly, he pulled out Cryonax's head from behind his back - the one I had cut off in the castle.

"Here, see for yourself!" the old mage said triumphantly, shaking his head like Perseus displaying a trophy. Unlike the mythical monster, Cryonax did not open his eyes and turn the bewildered crowd into stone. But the presence of this terrifying proof was more than enough.

The villagers began to demonstrate their joy in various ways. Some jumped and shouted excitedly, some cried with happiness, and people hugged and kissed as if believing that the nightmares were in the past.

"I hope the girl can recover," Nyx said in a low voice, but I caught a shadow of doubt in his gaze. Catching my silent question, he explained:

"I don't know what they fed the children there, what spells they used. If you look at her closely, you can notice the first signs of deformation. Look at her ears and hands."

I shook my head.

"Not now. If you can somehow stop this destructive process, don't hesitate for a minute, save the child! I'm going to bed!"

Perhaps such a statement seemed rude and tactless, but I simply did not have the strength.

I fell asleep in a barrel filled with warm water. Soft caring hands washed me, trying to ensure that neither soap suds nor water got into my mouth and nose. Then other caring hands carried me to a soft grass mattress.

Light softly penetrated through the cracks in the walls when I woke up from a sweet, healing sleep. Memories of recent battles still hung in the air, but my body felt completely different - relaxed and free as if the burden that had been pressing on me for many months had finally disappeared. I lay on a grass mattress, whispers and muffled conversations were heard around me. A light breeze swayed the curtains on the windows, bringing with it a fresh smell.

Hunger reminded me of itself with a sullen rumble of an empty stomach. I glanced at a small wooden shelf, where berries, nuts, and something resembling bread stood on a simple table. The memory that this world can be kind and caring brought back a smile to my face. I slowly stood up, stretched, feeling light in my body, and began to eat breakfast. The light meal turned out to be unexpectedly filling, quenching thirst and hunger.

A few minutes later, feeling a surge of strength, I walked to the house of Tush and Tina. The silence of the morning was diluted by steps on the dusty road when Nix's voice called out to me:

"Arian!" I turned around. The old mage looked thoughtful. "People want to hear how you dealt with the dragons. Don't go!"

I chuckled,

"Show them the dragon's head and tell them everything yourself, you are a master of words."

Nix frowned, glancing at the villagers who had begun to gather around. He sighed and spoke with gentle urgency,

"It so happened that I was nearby all this time, ready to help my friend at any moment."

His voice was confident, and the people, fascinated by his words, began to surround him, wanting to hear the story of our battle.

I turned and continued on my way. A warm welcome awaited me at Tush and Tina's house. A small fluffy creature rushed towards me, clinging to my face, and I hugged it as much as possible with such a creature. We smiled at each other like old friends.

"Look at them, Arian!" Tush exclaimed, proudly showing me his babies. The adorable fluffy little creatures, Arian, Oris, and Chica, looked like tiny teddy bears that could serve as soft toys for children. Their fluffy paws and round, curious eyes were enchanting. They funnily clung to their father, barely moving their tiny paws.

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw them, and I felt the warmth of joy spreading through my body.

The fluffy creatures’ house looked quite cozy. It had no windows, only one small entrance door. The little creatures ate almost no meat, preferring mushrooms, nuts, and berries that grew in abundance nearby. During my absence, the village carpenter had built another house for them next to the first one. In the new extension, Tush and his family set up a pantry. The carefully fitted wooden boards were polished and impregnated with some kind of vegetable oil, which emphasized the natural beauty of the wood. No paint - only natural patterns created by nature.

Tush circled me, animatedly telling me how many nuts a dozen young saplings yielded and what delicious berries grew on the bushes next to their house. He talked about how their small family had now provided with provisions for a long time and shared his joy about the successful harvest. But I barely listened to him, my thoughts were somewhere far away. My gaze was empty, and although I saw trees and bushes, none of them seemed to touch me.

Tush noticed my indifference. He stopped, frowned angrily, and asked,

"If you're not interested, just say so." I looked up guiltily,

"Sorry, I was lost in thought."

Tush climbed onto my shoulder, his paws touching my face. His touch was warm and comforting,

"Listen," he began quietly, "there are moments in every creature's life when we need to be alone. We need time to listen to our thoughts and feelings and to understand where destiny is leading us. You don't have to be strong every moment. Sometimes, to find answers, we need to allow ourselves to feel vulnerable. Don't be afraid of that silence, there's strength in it. You're not alone, even when you feel lost. It's important to remember that the road will always find its way, and we're all just looking for answers. But when you're ready to return, know that I'll always be there, ready to greet you."

These words left an impression on me. I would never have thought that a furry creature was capable of such deep thoughts. He said them so simply, but there was a wisdom hidden in these words that I could not ignore. I could only answer:

"Perhaps you are right. I am having a hard time right now, I do not know how to explain my condition. But I am glad to see how your life has improved. Thank you for being here."

The words came with difficulty, but I knew that I had to say them. I sat down next to Tush, trying to choose the right phrases:

"Tush, you are a great friend and a wonderful translator. The time spent with you on the road, I will consider the best episode of my life."

He raised his head and asked with obvious concern:

"You scare me, my friend. Usually, they say that when they go to a place from which no one returns."

I hugged the fluffy one close to me, trying to convey my confidence to him:

"I'm fine. But I really can go to a place where there is no return. It may happen that we will never see each other again. That's why I say these words."

His round eyes instantly filled with tears. I was amazed: I would never have thought that small fluffy creatures could cry like people. At that moment, I felt my soul become heavy.

We stood there, unable to part, as if this moment had dragged on forever. I didn't know if I would ever see my cheerful and restless friend, his loving wife, and three beautiful babies again. These thoughts gave the farewell a special weight.

I took a step back, realizing that this was perhaps the last time I would see them.

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"Goodbye, Tush," I whispered, and my voice sounded tender and bitter.

I would like to talk to the blacksmith Maleus again. I went to his house, but it was empty inside. The smelting furnace in the forge was barely smoldering, as if nature itself was dozing, awaiting its hour. I walked around the entire village, which consisted of about twenty houses dug into the ground, but none of the residents could tell me the whereabouts of the blacksmith. It seemed that he had acquired wings and flown away somewhere.

"Perhaps such a parting is for the best," I thought. "There will be no words, no tight hugs."

In the end, Maleus had more worries - at the general meeting of the village, he was elected the eldest among the residents. And, probably, he is not too worried about my absence now.

I knew that Tush would tell him about our conversation, and the blacksmith would understand everything, even if I was not nearby. If, of course, I was going to leave this world. But I did not intend to do that yet. I have things to settle waiting for me.

"I need to meet Dionela, the forest nymph," I planned. "Talk to the brothers, Lyon and Yurik. Maybe they'll be interested in my offer to become students at my magic school."

However, most of all I wanted to meet Ulia, to be in her arms.

Halfway to Nyx's dwelling, I noticed the old mage catching up with me, his steps confident, his eyes full of wisdom.

"Aryan!" he called out to me, and I stopped. There was a warmth in his voice that gave confidence in any circumstances.

"You're thinking about something," he continued, catching up with me. "Tell me what's troubling you."

I sighed, preparing to share my thoughts:

"I ripped open Pyronax's belly. Then again, and again. But the Key was not in his stomach."

"I know," Nyx said calmly, as if it were something ordinary. "It is in my hands."

I stopped as if I had hit an invisible wall. These words of the old man shocked me to the depths of my soul. Everything inside me boiled, rage spread through my veins, and I barely restrained myself from spewing curses at him.

"You mean the dragon didn't swallow the Key as you told me the first few days we met?" - the words escaped my lips through clenched teeth.

"I have to admit - I deliberately deceived you," - Nix's voice was calm, devoid of any emotion as if it was the simplest truth. - "I needed a warrior, and I got him."

I felt everything inside me break. The old man's words cut me like a blade.

"So you just used me?" - the anger in my voice grew with every second. - "You used me to get rid of the Pyronax family with your own hands? How could you? What a... freak you are!"

I was ready to explode, but Nix continued with the same composure:

"Forgive me, but I fought these monsters for many years. I could not do it alone."

"I became a killer because of you!" - I growled, shocked by this frankness. — "You turned me into someone I never wanted to be!"

"It wasn't murder," Nix said dryly. "Dragons aren't babies. They used their entire arsenal to fight us."

"With us?" I was twisted with anger. — "I haven't seen another flying man in the sky, Nix! Where were you when I was risking my life?"

The old mage's eyes remained calm, which irritated me even more. His indifference to my feelings, and to what I had experienced, drove me to the limit.

"My boy. You only see the front side of the coin, but there is also the back, hidden from prying eyes. You forget about the sorcerer who controlled the dragons and directed them like puppets."

"The sorcerer is not the dragons. Did you destroy him?"

Nix shook his head sadly.

"It's not that simple. This sorcerer has more power than me. He prefers to act from the shadows, like me. All this time you were fighting dragons, and the real enemy was something else entirely."

I felt everything boil inside.

"So I was just a pawn in your game? You moved me as you wished, to eliminate your enemies?"

Nyx raised his hand, stopping my indignation.

"You were a pawn when you first arrived here. But now you have become a queen. Remember the game of chess, where the queen decides the outcome of the game. You are no longer a simple soldier. You are the key figure in this fight. Without you, there would be no victory."

He paused, and then, more solemnly, continued:

"You showed incredible courage, fortitude, and strength. Your movements were as precise as the blows of a grandmaster. You removed the strongest players from the board - the dragons, those monsters that kept everyone in fear for years. You became someone any king could be proud of."

I sighed, feeling the weight of his words.

"But at what cost? I am only a tool in the hands of those who are stronger."

Nix looked me in the eyes.

"We are all tools in someone's hands. But do not forget: you are no longer a pawn. You are the master of the game now."

"Nix, you have deceived me. Everything you are saying now is not true, I do not believe you!"

I closed my eyes, and a wave of memories of the city of Forbant washed over me. Tomtom's tavern appeared before me, its hall filled with a crowd, and the sounds of cheerful laughter and conversation came from the windows. A strong gust of wind knocked my breath away for a moment, and I coughed, opening my eyes.

Moving from one place to another was perfect, not like the first time. The tavern hummed like a beehive, filling me with a feeling of comfort and freedom. A joyful smile spread across my face. I slipped away from the hated Nix, and here I am, where everything is familiar and usual. I don’t know why, but inside me, there was a hope that I would meet the brothers from the forest village in this very place.

Opening the door, I stopped at the threshold. I didn’t see either Lyon or Yurik, but I heard my name. It was mentioned more often than I would have liked. The visitors, mostly men, young and old, were discussing the latest news. Some admired my actions, others expressed dissatisfaction, considering me the cause of all the recent troubles. I didn’t delve into the essence of the arguments, just closed the door and headed to the city square.

The square was in full swing - many people had gathered, discussing the future of the city. Their voices merged into a common hum, furious arguments fell on each other. Among the proposals, there were many ideas:

“The city needs a strong defender, we can no longer rely on luck!”

“We need to organize a self-defense squad, as soon as possible!”

"Night patrols! We must protect the city even in our sleep!"

"We must start building walls around the city, this will give us time and confidence in the future."

The citizens' thoughts were occupied with one goal - to ensure their safety. My guesses were confirmed: people were looking for new ways to cope with the chaos that reigned after the disappearance of the dragons. If they choose a wise city governor, they will be able to improve their lives. I caught myself thinking:

"They deserve a new life. If they do not act stupidly and choose a worthy leader, everything will work out for them."

At that moment, I noticed Lyon and Yurik. They were standing in the middle of the crowd, drunk and excited, and proudly told those around them how they traveled with me, Oris - the Dragon Slayer.

I heard my name mentioned and slowed down, pulling the hood over my head. Lyon spoke, describing our exploits, and Yurik drunkenly nodded along, sometimes nodding his head with an unruly head:

"Together with Oris, we cleared the forests around the city of all evil spirits, so you don't have to be afraid!" Lyon loudly declared, swaying from side to side.

"Yes, yes! And bandits! We destroyed about twenty cutthroats!" Yurik added, breathing heavily and grabbing Lyon to stay on his feet.

I listened, trying to understand if they would mention how exactly they accompanied me. It turned out that they fought heroically, saving the city.

I decided that Lyon and Yurik, traveling with me in the form of a centaur, deserved their share of glory. These boastful stories that they, slightly drunk, laid out to the crowd, could play into their hands. After all, the more rumors, the more respect, and perhaps, having listened to them, the townspeople will allow one of the brothers to lead one of the armed guards. Lyon was always more decisive, perhaps he could lead the people. Yurik, with his calm and restraint, would also be a good candidate, although less charismatic.

They both knew how to fight, and they had experiences that other townspeople lacked. The city needed protection, and with their courage and skill, they could lead self-defense squads or participate in organizing night patrols until strong walls were built around Forbant.

The crowd continued to discuss the future, but I did not care. Their talk about who would become the new city manager seemed empty. Perhaps they would choose the man who ran the dragon castle or decide to destroy it so that no one would dare to settle in the luxurious apartments anymore. Or leave it as a monument to the era when dragons ruled the world. These details did not bother me at all. I could show up, I could take on the burden of rule, and I was sure that the people would choose me as the new ruler of Orqualia. But I did not care about power and glory. Concentrating, I closed my eyes and imagined the forest village where I met Ulia. The memory of this place, of her kind smile and sincere laughter, became a source of comfort for me. It was a corner where I felt safe, far from all the worries and complications that filled this world.

I felt a breath of wind and when I opened my eyes, I saw that I was standing at the entrance to a once happy village. The merciless fire had burned not only the houses of the forest dwellers but also part of the virgin forest that surrounded it. It was as if a dragon, furious and merciless, had burned not only the village but also a piece of my heart, scorched by longing and the bitterness of loss.

Despite the heaviness in my soul, I walked around the village from one end to the other, hoping to find among the ashes at least some trace, at least a hint that could lead me to Ulia. Each step echoed in the silence as if nature itself was mourning the loss with me.

From the sound of my steps, part of the burnt wall collapsed, and a charred bone appeared through the ashes - someone's hand, forever left in this tragedy.

I shuddered with horror, unable to comprehend that life, laughter, and joy had once been in full swing here.

Hastily turning away from this horror, I rushed away from the village, as if the very air around me was saturated with grief. I ran without any purpose, moving in a random direction, and soon found myself on the bank of the stream in which Ulia and I had bathed and enjoyed our closeness. Every part of the forest was saturated with our meetings, and this thought was unbearable.

Suddenly, someone's cool palms covered my eyes, and I heard a girl's laughter.

Turning sharply, I saw Dionela. I had promised to meet her at the Tomtom tavern, but my joy suddenly faded as soon as I noticed her worried face. The nymph noticed the change in my mood and, asking excitedly, said: "Aren't you glad to see us?"

With bitterness in my voice, I answered:

"I'm glad that you are free, that you have finally returned to your home, to your forest. But I miss Uliya. I can't get rid of the thought of what happened. It seems that with each memory of ours, I lose a piece of myself."

I told Dionela frankly about our relationship with Uliya: how we met, how we dreamed of the future, how we parted. "I promised to come back," I said with longing in my voice, "and now I am here, and she is not there. Where to look for her? Whether she is alive or dead - I do not know." The realization of this made me sad, and I could not do anything about it.

Dionela hugged me very tenderly like an older sister hugs a younger brother. Her warmth filled me with some kind of hope, and I suddenly felt that I was not so alone.

"In the life of living beings there are finds and losses," she said quietly. "You met me, but you lost the girl you loved. Losses are constant companions, but we do not always attach importance to them. The loss of the first baby tooth, virginity, something - nothing compared to the loss of trust or a loved one."

I listened carefully, realizing that there was truth in her words.

"You can lose love, lose faith, but you cannot lose hope," she continued. "That life will eventually return to normal, that time will heal our emotional wounds and smooth out the severity of loss. You cannot lose faith in yourself, in the fact that things can change for the better. Everyone thought that dragons would rule forever. But then you appeared, and the lives of people and creatures changed dramatically."

I thought about her words. Yes, we all face losses, and each of them can be perceived in different ways. Some losses leave scars, while others - teach that, even when everything seems lost, there is always room for hope. Dionela continued to say:

"The best way to get rid of sadness is to do what you love. I'm sure that in this case, your sadness will disappear much faster."

Suddenly I heard Nix's voice:

"I tried to tell him about it, but he ran away from me." The old mage stood a few steps away from me as if he were afraid that I would hit him.

I looked at the shameless deceiver, and thoughts began to spin in my head. If Nix had immediately told me that the Portal Key was in his hands, I would, of course, have panicked. I would have demanded that I be returned to my world immediately. But after a moment, I would have come to my senses and decided to stay. I love adventures, and the fact that I found myself in another world was incredibly amusing to me. But only now I was able to admit it to myself.

"Nix," I asked, taking out the Righteous One. "Do you have the Portal Key with you?"

The old man turned pale and shrank as if his answer would determine whether his head would stay on his shoulders or roll on the ground. Dionela squeezed my hand as if by doing so she could save the old liar from punishment.

Nix took the pyramid out of his pocket and showed it to me.

"Here it is. You can take it for yourself."

"Don't go anywhere, stay in this place!" - I think I said these words in a very stern voice. The old man froze and turned into a motionless statue. Only his restless eyes betrayed the living being in him.

"Everything will be fine!" I smiled at the nymph and carefully freed myself from her tenacious grip. My gaze stopped on a huge boulder lying on the bank of the stream. I was sure that no one would ever think of looking for a hiding place I had made under a huge stone.

Before wrapping the Righteous One in my cloak, I kissed the sword.

"Chiquita, my sweet girl, I must leave. Perhaps for a short time, perhaps forever. Farewell, my little friend!" The Righteous One responded to me with a light, forgiving vibration, as if he felt the full weight of parting. Chiquita said goodbye to me.

Next to the sword, I placed on the ground all the amulets I had received during my travels around the country. I put away the magic flask, which had saved me from thirst many times. I hid the remains of the copper coins and my notebook, in which about a hundred different spells were written down. In my world, these could lose their magical purpose, and just die.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight on my heart become a little lighter. All these things were part of my path, part of me. I closed my eyes and for a moment remembered what I had experienced, about those I had lost and those I had met. This was not just an adventure path, it was part of my formation.

Having sealed the cache with a magical lock, I returned to my friends.

"Nix, do you remember how I appeared before you at the moment of our meeting?" I asked, trying to hide the nervousness in my voice.

"To the smallest detail," the old man thawed, realizing that there would be no punishment. His eyes sparkled with sincere warmth. "I can restore your robes and all the items that were with you."

"I will be glad if you do this. Except for the flask for water, it remains here."

I did not have time to finish speaking, as I was dressed in clothes that belonged to my old world. A protective hunting jacket and trousers in the same style, sturdy hiking boots, and the ever-present shotgun.

Dionela, seeing my attire, laughed cheerfully: "How funny you are!"

"Funny, but ready for adventure," I replied, winking at her.

I kissed the girl tenderly on the lips. It was a farewell kiss, full of tenderness and longing.

Then I turned to the wizard:

"Nix, forgive me for my fervor. I spoke without thinking. Now I realize that without your support, I would have undoubtedly perished."

He nodded, and I continued:

"Thank you for allowing me to become a different person and helping me mature. I say goodbye to you forever and leave for my world. I hope that without my efforts, you will be able to establish a normal, decent life here in Orkvalia."

The words spoken out loud seemed to burn me, but deep down I knew it was the right decision. I was about to return to the world I had left behind, and perhaps find myself in it again. Looking at my friends for the last time, I felt the weight of farewell wash over me, but at the same time, I was filled with a sense of hope.

Among the many farewells, I suddenly realized that I had not said goodbye to the most important being for all of Orkvalia - to Oceania, the magical source without which our victories would not have been possible.

Closing my eyes, I focused on the sensations that always accompanied our conversations. Her presence responded immediately as if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

"My friend!" - her voice sounded like the music of a distant waterfall, soft but powerful. - "Thank you for not forgetting about me and for choosing to say 'Goodbye'."

I smiled back, although she could not see my face. "How could I forget about you, Oceania? You helped me gain powers I never dreamed of. But why are you saying 'goodbye'? Do you think we'll meet again?"

"I think so," her voice enveloped me in a warm wave. "You have not exhausted your potential, and I still need your help. The dragons have been destroyed, but there is still much work to be done for Orkvalia to truly flourish. I hope that we will meet again and that you will come to me again."

Oceania's voice disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. The silence that followed her words was deafening. I opened my eyes and looked at Nyx.

"Open the Portal," I said firmly, realizing that my farewell had come to an end.

"Don't forget us," Dionela said quietly, her voice full of sadness and understanding. She stood rooted to the spot, on the verge of tears, but her face remained calm.

"I will never forget you," I replied with a smile that hid a sea of emotions, and tears welled up in my eyes. Gratitude for everything I had experienced in this world and for those I had met was seething inside me.

The area was suddenly shrouded in fog as if a fluffy cloud had laid down on the ground to rest. But Nyx and I knew the truth - this fog hid the path, the transition from one world to another. The magical portal was ready to take me back.

Gathering my strength and taking one last look at those who were dear to me, I stepped into the milky fog, ready for a new stage in my life, not even knowing what awaited me.