Wind back down.

You and Niki arrive back within the safely of Castle Phoenix's tall, dark stone walls, which do still need some fixing after all that happened. It's been noted. Not only is Queen Catherine II going to make sure a proper road is built, but trade is going to open up completely. You'll have craftsman here in no time, and your home will be even better than before--more, better homes, stronger walls, and anything else you can think up. Tivera owes you some favours, and you looted quite the hoard from Elok Daven's lair, on top of the treasure you already had.

This is it. You made it.

Eva and Amara are speaking with Peony amongst her countless flowers. Beautiful plants decorate the entirety of Castle Phoenix, though it doesn't look overgrown. Your resident dryad has done a spectacular job at filling your home with colour and life, but she did so along with the infrastructure of stone and wood. It's all been tended to with precision.

"We're back!" Niki announces alongside your arrival.

"Our parents departed not long ago," Eva explains. "How was the trip? I mean, if you can call it a trip when you have the power to teleport."

"It was great," you reply. "And how have you been, Peony?"

The dryad smiles. Immediately, she skips up to you, places a hand upon your chest, and gives you a peck on the cheek. "Even better when you're around, m'lord."

"The queen was waiting to speak with you, just beyond the gates of the castle," Amara says.

You raise a brow. "Oh yeah? Let's all head that way then. Come on."

Without any arguments, Niki, Amara, Eva, and Peony follow you down the cobblestone road to the castle itself ahead. When you near, you can see the gates are opened, and the queen stands in the shadow cast by the angle of the sun. Still, she looks stunning. The glimmer of the jewellery she wears seems more prominent as the light dims. You could swear her necklace shimmers brightest. There's another figure nearby, however, which you first feel with your Kitty Sense, but then your eyes make out a silhouette behind.

Once you've entered, you can see the second individual is Cat, the high vampire. She doesn't love the sun after all, even with overcast.

The queen curtsies with overdramatic politeness, though the smile upon her lips seems to suggest she does so on purpose. "Welcome back, King Warren. I wished to see you once more before I head back to my empire."

"I figured you'd be leaving soon. I don't think Tivera should be without their new-old queen for long, especially after all that's happened," you say back with a formal bow of your own. "I'm glad to see you on the throne again."

"As am I."

Cat steps forth. Her crimson gaze pierces the darkness. "And I must thank you as well, Kyle. You've done much, I can smile more easily knowing that Thadius is no longer in Tolis. While you were gone, I've learned much of my descendent. I'm happy to know the blood of such a powerful woman lives on. Perhaps Tivera will be fine after all."

"Thank you, great great grandmother," the queen replies. "We'll communicate as often as we can, Kyle. I think the people will be quick to forget the title of Demon King, and if they don't, they may use it with reverence. Some people consider it a... cool sounding name. The more they learn you rule this sovereign nation, and that we are now allies, I believe the more excited they'll become. People love stories of heroic adventurers and the like. You've also done nothing to harm them. Soon, they'll understand all propaganda came from a single man, and one they now hate. Come visit soon."

"I think I'll probably head down to Avana, like maybe even in the next couple days. I'd love to walk around there properly again."

"As said before, Dragonhide Manor is still yours." Her eyes glance to the side. "Ah. There you are."

Coming around the corner is Malakae Vraelion, but it isn't a beautiful qipao that hugs her body. Instead, it's nothing more than a woolen white bath towel. It does cover her up, though it does so barely. The only thing that seems to be holding it up is every ounce of her willpower praying that it does so. In her arms, however, she carries a wardrobe she normally wears, including a pair of golden panties laying on top of the rest.

You eye her up and down. "Not sure if I should ask," you say quietly.

"Shut up!" the dragoness barks. Her legs shake. "Listen. When I transform, my clothes don't magically disappear or anything. I can't believe I have to explain this. I'm bringing my dress separately so that when we land in Tolis, I can get dressed. I'm flying her back."

"Because you feel you owe her one still, yeah?"

"No. I mean, maybe a little, but I mostly just want to see the city, and visit my family home. I'll return. Don't worry. I just need to see."

While she speaks, Eva sneaks around behind her. She snickers loudly as she reaches out and takes hold of the back of her towel.

"Don't you fucking dare!" Malakae snaps.

"You can always just stop me."

She clenches her teeth. Right now, her arms are completely filled, so she can't do anything to grab onto the towel now threatened by the bunny. Her breathing quickens. Her face flushes red. "S-Stop! I don't... I don't want to put my clothes on the filthy floor."

"If only your hands were free. But oh well. I guess they're not. I'll just--"

"Stop, stop!" The dragon stomps her feet, stumbling back. The irony then hits her. While she tries to escape Eva from disrobing her, she accidentally does it completely to herself by moving around far too much. The towel falls to her feet, leaving her with only her garments of clothing squeezed up against her chest. She pulls her thighs together, but there's nothing she can do to cover below, not unless she moves the coverage down from above. Her entire face turns as red as a tomato before she opts to sink down into a squat. "Ooh. I'm going to get you, Beela."

"Technically I didn't do anything," Eva whispers in a mocking tone.

The queen waves her hands. "Please. Allow me to take your clothing so that it doesn't get dirty, as you said. Then you can transform straight away before anybody else sees. And what may your plans be, Kyle, if it isn't rude to ask?"

Meanwhile, Malakae bashfully hands her clothing over before wrapping her body once again in the towel.

You shrug. "Honestly, relax for a bit. It's been go-go-go for awhile now. In the background, city planning stuff. Trade and all that. It'll do me good to not almost die for a few days at least. Not that I'm lacking in the power to defend myself, but that can't be good for my heart."

"Be safe. Be careful. Be strong. You're a mighty leader indeed. For proof, you need only to look at all the people who follow you. Goodbye for now, Hero King Warren. We'll meet many more times in the future. Hopefully not all of them will be on business."

After the towel flies off and there's a huge, golden dragon at your doorstep, you watch as the queen mounts her noble steed, and the two of them take flight. They soar off into the distance, until they disappear beyond even beyond the wound made in your wall, where the hulking, dragon-like automaton had landed.