I wasn't unconscious for long. My body hit the ground, and a rock impacted the small of my back. Groaning, I rolled over and let the grass take me.

There was the sound of a low hiss, but I snorted and ignored it to continue lying on the ground.

An awkward cough followed, and I sighed internally before pushing my arms up and moving to a sitting position with my legs crossed underneath.

In front of me was Elder Aimon, with Zillassa leaning his head low. My mask put on a tired smile before I looked up and met their eyes. "Hello, Aimon, Zillassa."

"Cyrus," Aimon returned somewhat hesitantly. "You are back. Does this... mean that the rift is done? Where are the others?"

Zilassa moved, his blue scales filling my vision. He leaned even closer and licked the air with his tongue. Suddenly, he pulled back and coiled around her companion. "You... you smell like..."

"Salt? Water? Gross, rotten ichor? Lemonade, perhaps?" Zilassa started to stutter, and I laughed. "Or perhaps you're talking about why I smell similar to you? That's what you mean, correct?"

Zillassa nodded, not bothering to speak.

I shook my head and got up while moving off to the side. "You'll get your answer soon. It should be any minute now."

Aimon glanced at me curiously, a burning question hot on his tongue, but I changed my mask to display an 'X' on its surface and turned away.

There was more than Aimon and Zilassa here, waiting beside the portal. It was morning. The sun was rising into the sky, filling the darkened clouds with its brilliance.

Surrounding the temple and the beach nearby was nearly the entire village. I recognized a few familiar faces. Several of the food vendors smiled when they saw me looking.

Continuing my scan of the crowd, I found Travis and Khrem standing to the side, the sharkman having placed a comforting hand on the distraught-looking guildmaster.

Travis saw me with worry, fear, and hope in his eyes. Not wanting to stress the guy further, I changed my mask to display the word 'Safe.' Travis' face melted in relief, and I could see him stand taller, more assured.

I should invite them and the trio to a final cookout before we leave the island. I might as well say goodbye with full bellies and good drinks.

The crowd stared, some at the rift portal and others at me. I tuned them out and waited next to Aimon for the rift to break open.

I wasn't sure what would happen next, but I had a vague idea and a sneaking suspicion. The way Cal and Ysanna talked, it felt like the island was about to get very crowded.

Three minutes of silence go by before people start to whisper. The whispers began to rise in tempo as everyone increased their volume so their recipient could hear them.

Another two minutes and I felt even more stares coming my way, a few filled with heartbroken looks.

Cal... you better not be pranking me.

Seconds started to drag, and I was ready to quietly excuse myself to head back to the inn when a low buzz came from the portal. The buzz grew in pitch, becoming a loud whine with people backing up in fear.

Finally, the portal pulsed with mana once, then twice, and on the third time, a wave of clear water spewed forth from the rift's opening.

The wave carried with it the bodies of the adventurers, their eyes beginning to widen as they gained consciousness. I saw Sereza plastered near the stream's edge, and I waved as the wave carried her on by.

More and more people spilled out, and Teddy and the gang rolled to a stop near my feet. I looked down and saw Isaac spitting out water while he desperately removed the cloth mask around his mouth.

"Looks like you survived. How's the water? Salty?" I asked with a shit-eating grin.

Isaac's eyes widened, and he pointed a finger. "You! Urk... you're alive!" He banged a fist on the wet loam and jabbed my leg with his finger. "Where the hell have you been? What did you do."

Teddy activated his healing aura and stood up. While he helped the others up, he turned to me and frowned. "I, too, would like an explanation, but that can wait."

I helped Celanae and Eodyne stand while Teddy physically lifted Igas off his back. Isaac was the last to stand, but he brushed aside my offered hand to continue glaring at me from nearby.

Aimon turned and examined the group of adventurers beginning to gain their footing. "Not everyone returned." He shook his head, his face solemn. "That's regretful, more losses than usual."

The group grew silent; even Isaac turned his frown into something neutral as he watched the rift continue to flare up.

More water came crashing through, drowning the area in front of the rift was foaming seawater. We collectively took a few steps back as the water swelled and rose.

Then, as if the hell gates had broken loose, a surge of lightning shot into the air as a howling gust of wind threatened to knock people off their feet.

I stood stoic, waiting for what was to come.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

When the portal began to widen, it lost its pink glow and grew rounder, flattening to a circle several meters across.

Thunder drowned out the crowd's excitement and shouts, and then the portal flashed before a single boot with a half-destroyed metal shoe pushed through.

Callen appeared, limping through the portal, examining the crowd with wide eyes. Aimon was frozen to the spot, as was everyone else. Only Isaac was unbothered by the appearance of the new arrival. He was the sole person who had the decency to at least glare at me instead of looking like a fish.

Callen continued staring at the crowd till the sounds of more feet hitting the now muddy hill sounded off from behind him. He moved away from the portal and, in doing so, spotted me standing to the side.

His face broke into the widest smile, pearly white teeth gleaming in the sunlight. He rushed over, and before the others could react, he picked me up like a child and squeezed me in a bear hug as he spun around.

"Ahaha! Boy! You did it! You absolute crazy fool!" Callen roared as his large frame shook with laughter.

He spun me around for another minute before returning my feet to the earth.

Aaaaah, why was Sam the only one to gain a taller body?

I gently patted Callen's arm as Ventus joined the exuberant man. I turned to the vice-captain and nodded. "I'm glad you're alive, Ventus."

He nodded in return and grinned. "As am I." His smile turned to a frown, and his hand clenched into a fist. "That was a noble sacrifice. One you should not have made."

I shrugged. "I told you, I'd survive it. Not that it mattered in the end."

Pausing, I decided to be direct and figure out what they knew. "Has Ysanna-"

Callen and Ventus both flinched while Aimon and Zilassa glared down at me.

Callen cleared his throat. "Ehmm, yes, she did. We all did." His voice turned somber. "There is much to adjust to."

As more of the squad started to walk out of the portal, Callen and Ventus stared into the distance. I couldn't imagine what it must have been like to realize they were replicas of people who lived long ago. And the fact that the proud city they once knew was gone could not have been an easy pill to swallow.

More people poured out of the rift, and I excused myself when I saw Sereza talking to a familiar little girl as she held hands with another as their family stood nearby.

"Groxl was so cool; he picked me up, and we were suddenly moving super fast! I can't wait till my awakening day. I want a skill just like that!" Tilly was loud and excited. As she spoke, she animated her speech with gestures.

I chuckled, and Sereza whipped her head around. Her eyes said it all, so I got to one knee and accepted the living rocket that flew into my chest. "Oof!"

Mayuma buried her head in my shoulder, and I wrapped an arm around her. "Hey there, kiddo. Are you doing okay?"

She raised a teary-eyed smile, and I patted her head. I hardly knew the girl, but I must have made a good impression.

Teldren, the son, stood with his hands to the side. His fingers clutched tightly on a sketchbook I had given him. I held my other arm up and smiled.

He hesitated, but only for a moment before he came in and joined his sister in hugging me. Poltor and Osilla had happy faces, and I was glad my mask hid how awkward I felt.

I really don't do well with kids, but at least these guys are okay.

I squeezed them both before gently releasing them to stand up. Tilly hugged my leg before returning to regale Sereza about Groxl's awesomeness. Luckily for the felkin, Osilla managed to guide the chatterbox away.

Sereza slumped when the kids were no longer looking, and Poltor chuckled. "She really likes you, Sereza."

Sereza groaned. "I can tell. But it's probably best she bonds with you guys some more."

Poltor nodded. "Aye, you'd be right. You adventurers live a wild life." His eyes had a strange glint, but he shook his head and looked towards me. "Knowing what I know now, I must thank you even more. There was nothing to gain from saving us, yet you did. So, thank you, Cyrus."

He bowed low, and I saw more of the old villagers staring. I internally sighed and let it happen. When he stood up, I reached out a hand. He clasped my wrist, and we shook before he walked off to join his wife and the kids.

I rocked back on my feet and shook my head. "I'm so glad I'll be out of the village before everyone finds out what happened."

Sereza snorted. "Do you believe that?"

"No," I said dejectedly. "Not for a second. I mean, I could. I totally could. But I'm not a monster, and Teddy already paid for our rooms."

Sereza was about to say something, but then there was a commotion, and we looked over to see the portal had grown several meters into the air.

Suddenly, Callen and the rest of the squad members lined up on either side of the portal and kneeled. They looked like knights or royal guards prepared to welcome royalty.

Now that I think about it. Ysanna's title was 'Storm Princess' so honestly, that checks out.

The first to pass through the pink film was Zolnja's scaled head. People began to shout, some in surprise, some in fear, most in thunderous excitement.

As Zolnja's form continued to rise and extend into the air, the screams and shouting were deafening. When the last of her long serpentine body exited the portal, she roared, blanketing the island with the bone-chilling rattle.

I noticed, idly, that almost everyone was struggling under the pressure of her divinity, even as Zolnja kept it contained. Sereza narrowed her eyes and saw me completely unaffected.

My mask mimicked, sticking my tongue out before I returned it to its neutral state and continued observing the show.

Another flare lit up the sky, and the portal started to shrink. Ysanna walked out, her robes shining with dazzling light as the wind began to pick up. The excited crowd from before was gone, and in its place was utter silence.

The portal continued shrinking until it became small enough for Ysanna to pluck and hold above her palm. "My people, both new and old. I have returned."

There was a collective intake of breath, the very world pausing as the wind stilled. Nobody moved. Nobody breathed.

And then, like a flood, the tears began to flow, and several villagers dropped to their knees. I only realized then I was the only one left standing as everyone, the adventurers included, knelt with their heads lowered.

Ysanna glanced towards me and smirked before she put a hand on Zolnja's scaled head and began to float upwards.

"You're not helping yourself blend in, you know." Ysanna's voice whispered in my ear.

"Fine by me. No offense, but you're not my god. And my deal with Cal was to not be subservient to him."

I heard laughter, but Ysanna's face remained impassive. A quick look around revealed that only I had heard the goddess' voice.

Ysanna was now high in the sky, with Zolnja swimming on ethereal water slightly below her. "The time I'm allowed in this plane is short, but know that I am here and proud of you all." Her voice carried across the island, and the heavens parted to reveal more of the sun's light. "There are many things to celebrate, and we will. But today. I shall reward the brave adventurers who helped bring about my revival. For completing the rift and honouring the fallen!"

She raised the pink rift in her hand and crushed it. Mana so thick people were forced even lower to the ground, pulsed out. And the goddess was gone with a crack of thunder and a flash of lightning.

Items and skillstones started to appear, and I heard a small thunk on the ground beside me. Sereza reached out and grabbed a bandolier of potions along with a pair of daggers similar to the ones the cultists used.

The silence broke, and the crowd went ballistic.

With all the emotions running high, I tugged on Sereza's arm and motioned my head towards the village.

She laughed and secured her new items close to her chest as we silently slipped away from the madness.

I know I said I was bored of being alone, but a nice private meal in my room sounds amazing.