March back to Avana.

After saying your goodbyes to everyone else, you, Amara, and her mother meet up at the edge of town. You take a step back. It looks like the other two need a moment together. It has been a long time since they last spoke, and it doesn't seem like she's going to be coming back to Dragonhide Manor either. The two hold hands, and Amara gazes up longingly into her mother's eyes.

"Amara, I--" begins Yaera.

"Mother," Amara interrupts. She shakes her head. "It is fine. I am a big girl now, and I know that you will always be out there, helping more people just like this. I have close friends now. They will keep me safe until we meet again."

Yaera smiles. "Oh Amara. You truly have grown up so much. Let us not drag our goodbye out too long lest it becomes even more difficult. It sounds like you have a mighty task ahead of you. When the time comes, that will be when we meet again. Please do not hesitate to call upon my aid. The Demon King must be stopped before he enacts any scheme he might have been plotting."

"Absolutely." She turns to you. "Kyle? We will defeat the Demon King. Together."

I hope so. "Right. We will."

The two release from one another. With one more wave, she makes her way back into town, and both you and Amara disappear from sight back into the forest of Silverleaf. The quiet makes everything feel so distant. It's only the two of you now, and neither of you speak for awhile of walking. Though finally, Amara turns to you with a sweet smile on her face.

"This was a wonderful trip," she says.

"I agree," you respond. "Though I could have done without the undersea adventure."

"But even it was rather beautiful. And so were the mermaids, yes?"

"I suppose so, yeah."

"You suppose?" She giggles softly, and threads her arm beneath yours to grab hold. "You are such an interesting man, Kyle."

"Is the first name thing going to be the norm from now on?"

Amara slowly pulls away from your arm and glances down with pink in her cheeks. "Oh... I had hardly noticed." Then she turns back to you. "Is that an issue?"

"It isn't for me if it isn't for you."

She smiles again. "Thank you, Kyle."

You emerge back into the endless field of grass and hills that surround the area all around this region. It'll be a few days of travel before you're back home, and hopefully this time, you won't run into any giant muscular bugs. About halfway there, you decide to check in on the rest of the party after you and Amara finish up with lunch.

With your legs crossed, you lower your head and take a breath.

I feel like they should be there by now. Maybe they're even finished already and on their way back, just like us.