Rest.

Things are finally back to normal, or as much as they can be.

You sit back on a bench of beautiful polished wood between the streets in the middle of town. Though the sun is still hidden behind darkening clouds, the magic lanterns hum with a gentle glow that illuminates the area. Round, fluffy bumblebees land on flowers nearby. It won't be that much longer before little critters like him presumably disappear for awhile. It's a warm climate, but fall began shortly ago, and of course after that come winter time. You wonder what that's like here.

Lady Nyllia Tesgella steps elegantly along the path from your left. Of all flowers that surround you, perhaps she's the most beautiful. She's wearing her casual attire, as you're seeing far more often from everybody now that the war has concluded.

Her pale blue jeans are worn high, up to her partly cover her belly button, and beneath those are lovely white flats, which are able to properly show her pink-painted nails. Around her torso is a crop-top blouse as soft and white as a cloud around her bust, though it's trimmed with black, including the string that tightens it from the front, which hangs down low. Over the right breast is a single smiling flower. When you look upon it, you can't help but repeat the gesture, and she does as well when your gazes meet. And while she moves quietly, that doesn't extend to those following a distance behind.

Metal clanks and rattles. Two armoured men, Bill and Phil, have returned at least, though just as cloud, despite wearing no armer, is the towering woman with blue skin, and a single horn above her forehead--Zazra the oni.

"Oh. Everyone's back," you say. Before you can stand to meet them, you look to Nyllia's hand.

She raises it up, as if to gesture you to stay. "Indeed. All is well in Avana now," she explains as she makes her way over to sit beside you. She brushes loose strands of her long pink hair away from her eyes as she glances over to you from the side.

Wherever she goes, whether she's relaxing or in the heat of battle, a pleasant scent follows, as well as an aura of charisma that you can't quite explain. All elves are naturally beautiful, though she has a majesty that catches your eyes, and mesmerizes you momentarily as you continue to stare.

"I'm really glad to hear that," you say softly. "This right here. All around us. This is paradise, honestly. It's the best I could hope for anyway. And now it's even better that you've come my way."

"Oh you are always so romantic," she says with a giggle. While she doesn't specifically say more in response, she subtly shifts closer to you, until your hips are touching.

As she does, Zazra stares down from above and grins. "It's good to be back, Hero King. We might be Lady Nyllia's current party, but she's made it clear to us that if we're to follow her, we follow you first. Does that mean I'm a knight?"

"I guess you all are, yeah," you reply. I always wondered about that. She's had multiple parties, but this is the only one I've seen. It was the last one she had, before she joined me. Over the years, I guess she's travelled with a lot of different people, which is why she's famous, but these other three aren't really known by anyone.

Bill and Phil salute in tandem.

"Not to darken the mood, but what are you going to do about those prisoners?" asks Nyllia.

"I was going to give them one more night to think about everything. Then tomorrow, I'll visit again. Both Elok and Breiah were manipulators. I'm not saying they're magically forgiven, or that everyone who served those two were great people all along, but I see something in those in the dungeons. Meti clearly wanted him defeated, and she helped us in the end. Anastasia has already realized she was deceived and regrets what she did, though is still learning to trust me. Ariusia reminds me of some of the other feisty fighters we have, but I need to make sure she isn't actually out of her mind. I don't want to release her, and then she ends up hurting innocent people."

"A wise king indeed."

"But for now, I'll just keep resting. Then I'll eat, rest some more, and then sleep. I think I need that."

"I think you do as well. Earlier, Yin was speaking on organizing the repair efforts, and I expressed interest in helping her. Do you wish us to handle some of that while you recover?"

"Sure. Not too much though. You should be resting too. Tomorrow, I'll buckle down and go through it all. Maybe just get any kind of paperwork or whatever I need ready, and I'll take care of the rest."

"Of course, Your Majesty. I will be done."

You sit with Nyllia for awhile longer until she departs with her party. Over the day, you make sure to talk to everyone, and make sure they're all fine after everything that's happened. Of course there was quite the grand party, but that isn't the same. Thankfully, it seems all is well for the most part. Alice is still stuck thinking on all the other ALICES that fled. Vivi continues to ponder her sister. Everyone has their own personal issues, but this is the happiest everyone has been. They seem even more glad to know you care to check.

Once the afternoon concludes, you have a wonderful dinner. Everyone is there, even the various common folk who have joined. They weren't invited to the... other celebration after all. You have more than enough food, and while some feel guilty to be given so much without much asked in return, some ask no questions, but all of them have chosen to live here regardless, and promised they would help in every way they can. They'll be vital in the repair of Castle Phoenix. In fact, much as already been tidied up because of them.

You wind down further after eating. There's more conversation to be had, and many of you decide to sit outside as the sun sets. To your surprise and excitement, the clouds begin to part at the same time. You're able to see the orange sky beyond the veil of grey. After that, you can even make out some stars. Without the light pollution of a modern city, there's little to stop it beyond the overcast, but there are enough breaks now to see tiny specks of light beyond, as well as the moon which is nearly full.

When you finally decide to get some sleep, you wash up first in the Royal Bath, and then head back to your personal chambers.

You notice the door is partly open. Then after nudging it the rest of the way, you can see three individuals, though none of them are moving beyond the soft shifting of their chests as they breathe. Niki, Amara, and Eva, all clad in their pajamas, though the latter's choice of sleeping garments is nothing at all, are laying upon your massive bed with enough room in the middle for you to join. They've already fallen asleep, but the spot they were leaving for you is open.

With a deep sigh, you sink back into the mattress. You have no hope of getting your blanket, but it's not needed. Though still asleep, all three girls wrap their arms and legs around you, and they hold on tight. Their bodies are warm, and their touch is gentle.

It doesn't take long at all to fall asleep.