Return to Castle Phoenix.

The harpies eagerly greet you from the darkness outside. A few packs have been filled with loose papers, books, writing instruments, and anything else valuable. Mela said that you could take anything you wanted, and Stax was quick to pocket quite a few treasures before you could get them. There's just no need to leave anything behind to be pillaged by thieves later on anyway. The last thing you take is the portrait, which you tuck away into your backpack.

When Mela emerges straight through the door behind your group, all three of the harpies go from joyful to horrified.

Chini screams. "Ghooost!"

"Wait, wait! It's fine. This here is Mela. She might be a banshee, but she's friendly. We've all made up," you explain.

The spirit floats over and bows. "Meladarai Tlarthanil. It is an honour to meet three harpies in person. You see, I study the biology of this world's different intelligent species, whether one would refer to a harpy as a monster or not. I think your kind are very interesting. The ritual you perform to create more is... also very interesting. Perhaps you would allow me to inspect you sometime."

Chula looks around awkwardly. "This is a lot to take in all at once. Maybe you should slow it down."

Mela gasps. "Sorry. I got ahead of myself. It is just that I have been quite lonely out here."

"We'll keep you company!" Eva says with a smile. "And this here is Chini, Chula, and Chila. They're new allies too."

"Can we get moving? This place still creeps me out." Stax gestures her thumb back down the path.

Your party makes its way back through the dense woodlands laying a verdant blanket over the sprawling Pecho Peaks. There's less of a rush this time around, so you take your time, and there's something ironically comforting about having a ghost follow behind. The forest feels less scary. Even the wild animals seem to be steering clear of your group now. After some time, you finally arrive back at the towering outer walls of the castle's land. You make your way to the path, and walk straight through the front gates. Construction has ceased, and there's no longer a sign of life out in the streets. Everybody is sleeping now.

After proceeding straight to the throne room, everyone drops off their bags and finally relaxes. Mela gazes around in awe. The harpies do as well. You can't quite read Sen-nu, but she also seems to be inspecting the area. You imagine it must be easier to do so with a second set of eyes as well.

"Awesome house," says Chula. "Where do we sleep?"

"Just find a place for now. We're still under construction," you reply.

"We'll have places for everyone soon," Eva says.

Mela soars around near the ceiling, and then she disappears straight through the stone.

"I don't think people are gonna be happy if she makes a habit of going through walls." You sigh and rub your neck. "I could go for a bath before bed. My hair feels like it's filled with cobwebs."

"How come you always get to use the fancy royal bath?" She pouts.

"You can use it too. I don't mind."

"Well, we're using it first then."

"That's not fair. I don't care if we go together, but I called it first. Why would you kick me out completely?"

"Girls don't always want to bathe with you, Kyle!"

I'm not exactly sure that's true anymore.

"Relax. There's a bath in the servants' quarters," Niki says with a snicker. "Last one in loses!"

She bolts straight by you, and then the rest go as well. Even the harpies and goblins follow behind--except for Koblix. It's like a powerful wind blowing by, followed by the sound of the bathroom door slamming shut. You're left in the quiet just that quickly, abandoned and exiled from your own royal tub. Though when you turn, you see Sen-nu standing there as well.

"You're not joining them?" you ask.

"I have much to think about," says Sen-nu. She turns and begins walking towards the exit. "Goodbye for now, Kyle Warren."

"Guess I'll go for a walk," Koblix says with a shrug.

You roll your eyes. "And I'm using the other bathroom, because with that many in there, I have a feeling that room isn't opening up anytime soon."