Tommy stares up at the blue-black windows slotted into the gray-white stones of the imperial edifice. The sturdy wind whips at the blue and white flags, pulling them as far as their metal poles will allow them to go. The spires rise high into the boundless azure sky, scraping at the color like a chisel breaking apart wood. Long shadows fall across the parts of the palace further back, set apart from the main entrance's grandiose door frame. Tommy stands at the bottom of the long staircase that stretches out and down like a rhombus sitting on a diagonal plane. The steps themselves are formed from a white stone barely a shade darker from the snow that coats the surface, turned a silver shade by the frost crawling across the edges.

Tommy has stood at the bottom of these stairs several times in his lifetime, but the stand-out moments have never been good ones. He remembers as a child standing with his mother and Wilbur, waiting for his father and Techno to come home. He was faced with his brother's animalistic behavior and water elementals driven to madness by their king's contractor's suffering. It was the first and only time Tommy has ever been afraid of his brother.

Tommy remembers standing on these steps with his mother, waving Wilbur and Shelby goodbye as they set out for their first year at the academy. Watching them leave hurt Tommy's soul, and even his mother's reassurances couldn't ease the burdensome ache that came with partings. It was the last time Tommy had seen Wilbur. The next Tommy knew, Wilbur and Shelby were dead.

Their death led to a third time Tommy stood on these steps. His father's apathy was slowly killing him, and his mother's absence was a noticeable weight against the atmosphere. With dark eyes, Tommy stared up at the palace. He saw Techno in one of the window-frames. Tommy was confronted with the fact that his brother had abandoned him to chase ghosts, and by the time Tommy came back, Techno was completely gone.

The memories are burdensome and painful. Tommy wants to cry simply at the thought of them. Although he stopped Techno's insanity, although Wilbur and Shelby aren't dead, although Techno was proven right and came back, the emotions of those moments didn't go away. They linger in Tommy's heart like ghosts, digging their claws into his soul. They tear carefully at his flesh like a chef tearing apart meat.

"Theseus?" Tommy blinks, lowering his head. He meets Wilbur's wide, concerned eyes. The ring of neon green surrounds the usual brown, blinking clearly like the signs Tommy saw hanging outside of clubs in his old world. Wilbur puts his arms on Tommy's shoulder, pulling the blonde closer to his person. They are so close that Tommy can feel the faint aura of chilliness surrounding Wilbur's body, a natural consequence of his phantom origin. Wilbur shifts one of his hands, gently placing it on Tommy's cheek. His fingers are worse than the wind blowing around them, but Tommy leans into the touch. He grasps it as tightly as he can, putting his own warm hand over Wilbur's. The brunette is giving Tommy a strange look. The white streak in his hair mocks Tommy, but the glistening strands also remind Tommy of his homeland.

"What if I come back and you're gone?" Tommy whispers, staring directly into Wilbur's eyes. Tears are rising to his eyes. Wilbur's mouth parts gently, surprise flashing there for a moment. Tommy doesn't get to see the next emotion that rests on Wilbur's face since the brunette pulls Tommy into a tight hug. Wilbur's arms are solid and real as they press Tommy's face against a chest with an irregular heartbeat. Tommy moves his arms around Wilbur's waist. He squeezes back, feeling a tingling fear rise into his body. It astounds him that he thought at one point he could easily let go of the imperial family, to choose running as a way of solving his fate. Tommy can't do that now. Not because he needs to stop the end of the world, but because his entire world is right here within these palace walls.

"That isn't going to happen," Wilbur declares definitely. When he pulls back, the green in his eyes has encroached on the brown's territory. It casts a supernatural color across Wilbur's features, accentuating the pale and translucent skin as Wilbur's Origin magic laxes, revealing the truth beyond the magical illusion. The body underneath Tommy's fingertips begins to feel like soft rock, solid but also a touch moldable, prone to disappearing, even. "I'm not going anywhere, not anymore. I promise that when you get back, we'll spend so much time together that you'll be sick of me."

"I could never be sick of you," Tommy remarks truthfully, his voice grim and affectionate. An odd mixture, for sure, and one made stranger by the truthfulness of Tommy's words. He's not an honest person. He is prone to exaggeration, and he has straight-up lied on several accounts. Tommy physically can't do that right now. He could joke with anyone, but right now, with Wilbur right here, Tommy can't bring himself to even jokingly agree with Wilbur's assertion. Tommy gives him a half-smile, "But alright. Let's spend time together when I get back. I love you, Wilbur."

"I love you, too." Wilbur says it like an oath, as if that declaration is the most important one he could make. Wilbur's form solidifies, and he leans forward to kiss Tommy's forehead. His eyes are almost entirely brown as he steps away from Tommy, a smile only a touch bittersweet on his face.

Like night after the day, Techno takes Wilbur's place. He does not wear his emotions like Wilbur and Tommy do. He doesn't put on any sort of mask. Techno's expressions are usually neutral, smooth lines and stoney eyes. Where most people would look into the face of a statue, Tommy stares into the face of his brother. Tommy sees what other people cannot, including the faint worry in Techno's brow and the brewing storm behind his red-brown eyes. Techno hugs Tommy briefly, a touch awkwardly but no less lovingly. When he pulls away, he leaves his hands on Tommy's shoulders. This gesture is sturdier, one Techno is familiar and comfortable with. He keeps Tommy close to him, and Tommy sees words flash in Techno's eyes like pages flipping in the wind. Tommy smiles at his brother. "Let's work this all out when I get back."

Tommy himself isn't entirely sure what he means by 'this all,' but he doesn't have to know. Techno nods in agreement, understanding blossoms across his face like a field of sunflowers when dawn breaks. Techno squeezes Tommy's shoulders. "Be careful. Stay safe. Make the right decisions. Whatever happens, your biggest priority is coming back home. If you have to piss off the elves to do that, I'll fight the war for you."

"How about let's not tell the prince going on a diplomatic mission to start a war?" Tommy responds, laughing gently. The sound is warm and willowy in his ears. Tommy feels better for having heard it, for remembering that he can laugh. "I'll succeed, Techno. Both at the diplomacy part and the getting back home part. I swear it."

"I know," Techno says, his voice growing softer. He leans down, putting his forehead against Tommy's. If Wilbur shows his love from hugs, this is how Techno shows his love. It's his favored way of showing, even going so far as closing his eyes to show a sign of trust. Tommy closes his eyes, too, knowing that even if he and Techno have unfinished business, he will always love Techno. He is about to say as much when he hears Techno whisper first, "I love you, Theseus. I have faith in your abilities, but even if you fail, I will always be proud of you."

Tommy knows that Techno loves him. He notices it in every expression and each affectionate gesture. The pride is a surprise for him, one that fills him with warmth even as the day grows colder and the shadows longer. Tommy feels amazement surge throughout his body. He feels lighter, in a way, being able to know that Techno, the Verglas Valet, the future General of the Imperial Army, the right-hand man of the Tsesarevich, the contractor of the Water Elemental King, and so many more titles, is proud of Tommy. It is high praise for someone like Tommy.

"I love you, too, Tech. You must know that I'm proud of you, too," Tommy tells him, shuffling away. Techno straightens his body, looking down at his younger brother. Tommy smiles at him.

Philza pulls Tommy into a hug next. He buries his head into the space between Tommy's shoulder and neck, his wings coming around them to hide Tommy in a warm cocoon of pleasant darkness. What would normally terrify Tommy has been turned into his favorite nook to hide from his thoughts in, and he will always be grateful for Philza for providing both this safe space and his unconditional paternal love. The tsar keeps his wings up as he takes a half-step back, his eyes glowing a soft blue color in the dim lighting. "I promise you, Theseus, that even though sending you away is hurting all of us, it is ultimately for the best. I am willing to do whatever it takes to protect you."

Tommy never got the chance to ask Orion what happened during Philza's father's generation, but the look in Philza's eyes gives Tommy an exceptionally clear answer. Tommy is left wondering what kind of man his grandfather was.

Tommy is gently coaxed out of the nook by Kristin's hands. She hugs him. When she pulls back, she leans halfway into Philza while keeping her hands on Tommy's cheeks. With the close proximity and Philza's wings protecting them from the chill, Tommy is reminded of the time he stood in Essempei. There is no salt in the air, but the warmth is as familiar as a golden sun above emerald fields and bronze beaches. Kristin smiles at him, completely the image of gentle heat and comfort. "We will always do what is best for you, my dearest. You understand, don't you?"

"I understand," Tommy acknowledges their words. Part of him doesn't want to go. His old fears are getting the better of him, convincing him that if he leaves, his family will be gone. He even has a new fear that Ranboo will arrive while Tommy is gone, taking his place like Ranboo took Theseus' place. Sophia told the Transcendents they had a year at most, meaning it could happen any day now. Tommy doesn't want to lose his family in any sense of the word, but he knows that he might lose them, anyway, if he doesn't go. The nobles will do whatever they can to get what they want, and all the years Tommy spent building rapport with them will turn into a weapon against him. Plus, Tommy doesn't want a conflict to arise between the Antarctic Empire and Alfheim. "I love you both, and when I return, I will love you exponentially more."

Kristin tells him she loves him, her hand drifting away from his cheek. Philza's wings lower as he responds in kind. The two of them remain close together as they take a step back. In a flash, someone materializes behind Philza. Tommy blinks in surprise as Sneeg flies over Philza's head. The tsar's eyes widen minutely. Sneeg doesn't pay attention to the people behind him as he gets close to Tommy. Energy pulsates around his body, sinking into Tommy's weary bones. Sneeg gives a playful smile. "Be good, kiddo. The last thing we need is to piss off the elves. Oh, you still have that familiar I got you a couple years back, right? You brought it with you, yeah? You're going to need it. You'll never know when you're going to need my help. Alfheim isn't so far away that I can't zip right over."

"I have it," Tommy grumbles beneath his breath. He didn't want to bring either familiar, but his guards– Niki, Jack, and now Deo– all agreed that taking familiars from the Water and Air Elemental Kings was a good idea. Tommy tried bargaining for only the water familiar since the air one, the emotionless bird, still viscerally upsets him. His idea was shot down immediately. Tommy let them pack the birdcage and the seashell-shaped cage into the carriages.

"Good. Shoot me a message whenever, even if it's some stupid joke you just made up. We could all use some joy at the moment. Remember to take care of Hetta and any other air elementals going with you," Sneeg concludes. Tommy isn't able to respond as Sneeg disappears back into the passing breeze. It blows through Tommy's clothes, and he only now realizes how long his hair has gotten. Jack made a comment about it earlier in the morning when he was forced by Niki's note to brush it for Tommy, but the prince didn't think much of it since Jack has fuzz on his head. He thought Jack wouldn't know a thing about hair length, but Tommy supposes Jack wasn't wrong. Tommy's hair is getting longer. Unhealthier, too, like the rest of his body.

"While I am saying that you do not have homework," Kara tells Tommy, stepping towards him. She has a cloak over her shoulders, but her wings are overlaid on top of the fur. A stab of emotion, most likely envy, shoots through Tommy's body, but he pushes it away as he meets the dark eyes of his teacher. She smiles faintly at him, a touch of humor turning her cheeks a bright pink color. "I think it would be beneficial for you to continue learning even on your journey. This is a practical application. You are going to witness firsthand some of the backgrounds for our history classes. You will also find a variety of ingredients on your journey. You could try mixing them to create potions. While none will activate without a drop of witch's blood, it could be beneficial to know what mixes together to create what."

"I understand. I will also see what I can learn about the elves. If it is possible, I might bargain for a chance to glimpse their libraries," Tommy promises her, ignoring the fact that the real reason he'll try getting into their library is to find out more about Transcendents and the prophecy Sophia gave them. Tommy shudders as he thinks about the lines again. He doesn't really know what any of them mean, but he does know that prophecies are never what they seem.

"That's my boy," Kara murmurs, a smile rising higher on her face. Tommy's lips part at her word choice. When the implications settle in his mind, Tommy smiles back at her. Kara's expression softens. She reaches out for his hands, taking both of them into her own. She squeezes gently, promising, "I will continue attending to my duties to L'Manberg. I will also take the responsibility of caring for the imperial family in your absence."

"Thank you."

"You do have homework from me," Sam tells Tommy, coming to stand beside Kara. She looks up at him with a raised eyebrow, but Sam's smile is directly facing Tommy. "You should continue training. Try practicing your spear art, the Art of the Golden Tempest."

"I will, spear-father," Tommy remarks humorously, remembering what Hannah said when he first met her. They were connected by the sheer fact that they were both students of Sam. Since it was the only reason she helped him as much as she did– and because he doesn't completely hate being Sam's pseudo son– Tommy tries to implement the odd name whenever he can. "Goodbye, both of you. I will see you when I return. I will have so much to share... stories to tell and information to spread."

"We will see you then," Kara answers for both of them. Kara goes to stand beside Captain Sparklez. She lifts a handkerchief for him to wipe his eyes off with. Jordan's water elemental, Ianita, sits on his shoulder, her eyes oddly knowing as she stares at Tommy. Sam goes back inside, muttering something about a prince he needs to 'deal with.'

"You know, I have so much I want to talk to you about, but I guess we'll have to wait for when you come back. Just know that we will be having a long conversation. I have so much to tell you," Shelby hugs Tommy as tightly as Wilbur did. The smoldering green and glistening yellow of her eyes mixes together like pieces of emerald and citrine in the hands of a renowned jeweler. As she pulls back, she takes both of Tommy's hands, her skin faintly glowing a warm golden color. "Don't forget all of our promises, from the one you made me make when I left for the academy to the one I told you when we met again after years apart."

"Not a single one is missing," Tommy swears. "I promise to stay safe and return for that conversation."

"I believe you," She nods solemnly. Shelby steps away, standing beside Wilbur and the rest of the imperial family.

Last in the line-up is Tubbo. He stands in one of the shadows of the giant pillars, staring up at the sky. Bek sits on the ground, feet spread out in front of her as she plays around with one of her ribbons. She looks up when Tommy approaches. Tubbo's body language shifts, but he doesn't look at Tommy. The prince presses their shoulders together, staring into the distant sky alongside Tubbo. He doesn't know what Tubbo is looking at, but all he sees is the open air beckoning him to come become one with it. Tubbo breaks the silence first, "I'm already ready for you to come back."

"You and I both," Tommy sighs. He reaches out, taking Tubbo's hand into his own. Tommy squeezes Tubbo's hand, closing his eyes. He feels the wind run across his body again, whistling in the oddly shaped entrance of the palace. "I'll be back before you know it."

Tommy can hear Tubbo huff. Tubbo wanted to come with Tommy, but he has too many responsibilities here at the palace. Between being the duke's only son and being the apprentice of the Imperial Artificer, Tubbo has enough work for him here. Tommy didn't want to drag Tubbo away from his life, and Tubbo eventually saw reason and agreed to stay.

"I'll take you on my next adventure," Tommy compromises, opening his eyes and looking over at Tubbo. The duke's son is already looking at Tommy. They grin like little kids at each other. Tommy hugs Tubbo, feeling incredibly lucky to have a best friend who cares about him this much. Tommy keeps his eyes half-open, watching Bek's face break out with a smile. When she notices Tommy's eyes, she winks at him. Tommy chuckles beneath his breath.

"I hope we don't have another adventure," Tubbo plainly states, his tone implying that he has a very specific connotation for 'adventure.' This draws another half-formed chuckle from Tommy as he pulls away from his best friend. Tubbo looks a little teary-eyed, and Tommy knows exactly how he feels even if he would never admit it.

Tommy takes several steps backward to put some distance between himself and Tubbo. Bek rises to her feet, setting a gentle hand on Tubbo's shoulder to comfort him. Tommy smiles at both of them, turning when his eyes are closed so he doesn't have to see Tubbo's expression. When Tommy opens his eyes, he is standing by his father's side. The rest of the imperial family is gathered behind him along with the others who told Tommy good-bye, all except for Sam who had to go deal with Prince SapNap.

Captain Sparklez stands on the step below Philza and Tommy, slightly off-centered as not to block either of them. Even though he is still holding Kara's handkerchief in one hand, Jordan's voice is firm and uncompromising as he shouts out. "Knights, fall into order behind the attendants and diplomats."

An entire entourage of people are going on this diplomatic mission. A handful of guards, each one in empire blue, stand in a neat row, back straight and fists on their chests. A couple of attendants including stablemen to care for the horses and a chef to cook the meals. The last group includes the professional diplomats employed by the empire, the ones that will actually meet with the elves to discuss the conditions of the treaty and how to peacefully resolve recent conflicts. Tommy has not been trained as a diplomat, so he is only superficially part of that group. However, if they think Tommy won't be helping, they are sorely mistaken. He has his own disputes with the elves to settle, and he's willing to play nice to get what he wants. He's been doing it with the nobles for years, after all, and what are elves if not treehugger nobility?

The last group is the most fascinating one, though. They are technically there to serve as Tommy's personal guards, but they all have an odd appearance. Jack is the only one wearing empire blue. Niki is wearing a white uniform, marking her as the leader of this expedition. Deo is wearing a heavy fur coat over his normal clothes, looking unaffected by the weather. Scott wears a black cloak, shivering minutely. Joey is sitting in the fur-lining of Scott's collar like a bird in a nest, shivering in his near-naked outfit. Joey is glaring at everyone, his wings moving as quickly as a hummingbird's. False stands without a cloak or any warm clothing, but her posture is straight like an iron spike and the expression on her face is just as hard.

"Niki Nihachu," Philza says, startling Tommy. He knew that Niki confessed to her sins, but he didn't think she told Philza her full name. Honestly, the weirdest part is that Philza is acknowledging her last name. She is no longer part of a noble house for the House of Nihachu fell with the Drywaters. To say her last name was to give her respect a tsar did not have to give. He was doing it, though, and Tommy suspected it was for an ulterior motive, even if he doesn't know what that motive could be.

The entire retinue bow to the imperial family. The guards have their own form of respect that they are performing, including Jack. Scott moves in the way of a high-born elf. Deo does some more imitation of the guard's salute. Joey hangs onto Scott's coat with a whitening expression and tight fingers. Niki steps forward, putting some distance between her and the group. At the very foot of the stairs, she drops down onto one knee. She keeps her head down, her eyes staring unflinchingly into the stone.

Philza regards her contemplatively. His eyes narrow like a bird of prey, and Tommy shudders for Niki. She doesn't even flinch. "You are in a very important position as head of the retinue. You are responsible for every person going with you. You are responsible for the completion of this journey's goal. You are also responsible for the life of the third prince, the star of the empire, Theseus 'Tiberius' Craft. I am trusting you because of your efforts to reform the Syndicate and the Knight's Oath, but do not believe for a second that there is any corner of this realm or any of the others that I will not search for you should something happen."

Where others would shy away, give up or cry, Niki remains firm. She dares to look up, meeting Philza's eyes without an ounce of fear. All that shines in her eyes is determination and respect. "I solemnly accept this responsibility. Death before dishonor."

Philza nods. Niki rises to her feet. She whirls around, facing the retinue of people. "Everyone to your positions. We leave for Alfheim posthaste."

The retinue moves immediately. Everyone knows where they go, and they do not dawdle to get there. Niki walks among the formation, double-checking everyone as she heads for her horse in the front. Tommy follows her orders, too, heading for the carriage designated for his personal use. While the other diplomats have to share a carriage, Tommy gets special treatment as the imperial prince. Tommy has not once made a complaint about this, valuing his privacy and a moment away from princehood.

Jack stands by the carriage, hand outstretched. Tommy takes it, pushing off Jack's palm to get him into the carriage. Jack shuts the door, and Tommy pulls back the curtain to look at his family and friends. It feels like everyone he cares about is standing on those stairs. They are smiling and waving, a few are even crying, and Tommy tries to keep the smile on his face even when he feels like this could very well be the last time he sees any of them.

"Onward!" Niki's voice rings out, crisp and true. The retinue jolts into movement, circling around the inner courtyard. As they leave for the outer one and eventually the gate, Tommy's vision blurs with both tears and distance. He can no longer see the faces of the people he loves, so he stops looking entirely. He curls in on himself, wrapping his arms around his legs. He chokes on his next breath, but he refuses to cry. He's never taken a trip this long before, not in this life or the previous one. He should try to enjoy it.

The interior of the carriages swells with energy. Hetta materializes. She slides into the space between his thighs and his stomach, her wings covering both herself and Tommy. She puts her cheek against his chest, her tiny arms circling around his body to give him a hug. Tiberius condenses from starlight and night mists, his eyes glowing bright as he sits proudly on the opposite bench. Tommy smiles at both of them, hugging Hetta back and meeting Tiberius' eyes. No matter how far he goes, these two will never leave him. They are contracted to him, part of his soul by ancient laws. Tommy feels a little lighter knowing that.

"What is Alfheim like? Do you know anything about the elves?" Tommy asks Tiberius, running a hand through Hetta's wings. She makes a soft noise, nuzzling against his shirt. Tommy wonders if he would like someone doing that to his wings as much as Hetta likes it done to her wings.

"They were once under the protection of Aeor, but that might not be true anymore. It would serve you well to ask that witch rather than me," Tiberius admits, not realizing that he's already given Tommy a new piece of information in the name 'Aeor.' Tommy didn't see it in his research, but he wasn't looking for it then. Tommy might be able to find out something new or important by searching for this new name.

"I want to speak with Scott, the witch you are referring to because he has a name, soon. I want to learn more about the people from Orion's stories. They must be important if he went through the trouble of turning potential taboo knowledge into childhood stories," Tommy explains. It was one of the main reasons he asked False to come with them.

"You should not pay as much attention to this Orion character as you do. He has a hidden agenda," Tiberius warns, saying Orion's name like it's a curse even though that was the name Tommy gave to him. Tommy is certain that Orion has another name, one he was born with.

"I know what Orion's hidden agenda is. He's looking for the Lady of Sunflowers to undo the curse she put on him," Tommy explains. The Lady of Sunflowers was a recurring character in Orion's stories. She didn't always appear herself, but she was always seen through the appearances of her paladin and her saintness. She was the one that bound Orion to an immortal life acting as the jester for the Antarctic Empire's imperial family as a punishment for being the reason all of his friends suffered terrible fates.

"We haven't found any clues about her whereabouts," Hetta remarks sullenly, peeking her head up from Tommy's chest. A few years ago, Tommy and Hetta both promised to help Orion look for the Lady of Sunflowers. Tommy thought it would be easy since he's met with several otherworldly beings, but the Lady of Sunflowers hasn't made an appearance once. Tommy thinks he met her saintness the night the fanatics attacked the imperial family. The saintness saved Kristin's life and christened Tommy the 'Fatebreaker.' She even gave him a nifty tattoo on the back of his hand that enhanced his resistance to darkness attacks and decreased his resistance to light-based healing. It was nice of her, but it hasn't proven useful as of yet.

"I doubt you would. While the Lady of Sunflowers, as you call her, was more powerful than my mother, I know that she, too, must have succumbed," Tiberius dully replies, cocking his head towards the open window. He stares out at the sky rising above the passing evergreen trees.

"What did she succumb to?" Tommy asks.

Tiberius looks at Tommy harshly. He flaps his wings once before lowering them back to his main body. "The answer to that question is within your own memories if you would simply remember it. Once you do, all the inconsistencies of your life will be gone and you will finally start asking the important questions."

"All questions are important, even the ones with obvious answers. It is through explanation that further understanding can be achieved," Hetta counters, narrowing her eyes. Tommy is reminded of the terms of their contract. In exchange for helping him, Tommy is meant to answer all of her questions. She continues to ask them, but it is becoming less frequent as Hetta starts learning more about the world and rationalizing what she doesn't know with the information she doesn't have. Tommy sometimes misses the little air elemental that would constantly ask him basic questions, but he can't say that he prefers one version of Hetta over another. They are both Hetta, after all. They are both Tommy's, and he has always been Hetta's.

"I have always had little patience for your curiosity," Tiberius bemoans, a flare of annoyance prominent in both his tone and the increase in red swirls hidden in his cosmic body.

Hetta laughs childishly. "It's one of the qualities about myself that I take pride in."

"Do you remember?" Tommy asks. He has been contracted to Tiberius for a little over a week. While he knows they could have spent time together while Tommy was sick, he doubts they would have gotten close enough for both of their voices to have that much familiarity in them.

"Remember what?" Hetta asks, turning her curious eyes up to Tommy. The red-orange color continues to puzzle Tommy, making him feel like he's staring into molten rock instead of anything even remotely similar to wind.

"We met each other by coincidence. You didn't even have a name back then," Tommy explains with a shrug.

"How peculiar. Elementals are supposed to be invisible until summoned," Tiberius pipes up.

Hetta's confused expression proves that she didn't have an answer to Tommy's original question, so Tommy doesn't say anything to Tiberius. He instead looks at the celestial strangely. "What are you talking about? Sally wasn't summoned when she appeared before me and Wilbur."

"That fire elemental was a Muse. They are a special type of elemental that can be seen regardless of their summonable status. The earth elemental contracted to that brunette boy you enjoy the company of is also a Muse," Tiberius answers, shaking his head in a human-like fashion. Tommy frowns, realizing Tiberius means Bek and Tubbo. He knew there was something special about Bek, but he didn't think she was a 'Muse,' whatever that entails. "Hetta is not a Muse. There has never been an air elemental Muse as far as I am aware. Even if there was one while I was imprisoned, the essence around Hetta does not match that of a Muse. The only other way an elemental can be seen is if they were given permission by any of the four elemental kings. Do you remember meeting any of them, Hetta?"

"I don't remember," Hetta looks at Tommy like she's answering his question, not Tiberius'. "I remember waking up in the top branches of this really tall tree like a hatchling in a nest. I watched the night turn into day before I felt a strange connection in the breeze, so I flew after it. While I didn't know it at the time, I was naturally seeking out the Air Elemental King. I met you, Tommy, and you answered my questions. I knew at that moment that you were my contractor, though I didn't really get at the time what that meant."

"I see... you two, Hetta and whatever name truly belongs to you— Zero–Theseus—Tommy? — started out tabula rosa. Over time, some of your memories have come back. Tell me what exactly you remember of the past," Tiberius orders, looking at Tommy.

The blonde decides not to answer the question of his name, instead closing his eyes. It's a strain, but he's finally able to bring up the dreams he had in his youth. "There were three people performing  a ritual together. There was a man and a floating woman meeting the man's 'lady.' I killed a woman. She disappeared, and you were angry as you disappeared alongside her, Tiberius. The man's 'lady' told him they were just getting started. I've even heard laughter while I was researching healing magic. While these aren't the past, I've had visions of these powerful beings. The Lady of Sunflower's saintess called me the Fatebreaker. A man in a purple and green hoodie told me I had to save the world. A being that felt like nature itself warned me against gods. A being at the bottom of the ocean told me to protect some people and that I would be killing his older brother."

"That really isn't fair! All I can remember is a floating palace in the sky. I also remember promising someone that we would meet again. Everything else has only been instincts, not true memories," Hetta complains, flopping down on Tommy's chest with an angry sigh.

"You have both made significant progress," Tiberius acknowledges. "But if history is doomed to repeat itself, you both will want to remember where you came from."

The conversation is cut short by the carriage stopping. Tommy shifts, putting his feet on the floor of the carriage. Hetta fades into her spirit form. Tiberius remains in the carriage as Tommy opens the door, hopping on the ground with any assistance. The entire retinue has stopped. Niki is ordering everyone around as they take a short break. Tommy walks over to her. Her serious expression shifts into a warm smile when she sees Tommy. "Your highness. We are taking a short break at the moment. When we are finished, we shall keep heading for Alfheim until nightfall. By that point, we will stop for the night. Sir Jack will guard you during the daytime. Time has volunteered to guard you during the night time since he does not require light to see."

"Yeah," Tommy murmurs, seeing value in that arrangement. "Are you displeased that Deo took the Knight's Oath?"

"Hmm? Oh, well, while it is regretful that someone other than a Drywaters' knight should take the oath, I do not find myself minding. It is actually beneficial for me since this means you have another devoted knight to protect you."

"I would take the oath, too, if Niki would only tell me the words," Jack inputs, walking up to them with a hand on the hilt of his sword as if in preparation for an attack.

"I do not want the oath from you, Sir Jack. You have more important matters to attend to," Tommy explains. If Jack takes the oath, he will never be able to become the baron of the Manifold lands. Tommy made a promise to himself as a child to make Niki and Jack's personal wishes come true if they proved useful to him. Although they have done exactly that, Tommy accidentally started caring about them. He genuinely wants Jack to reach his full potential and his heart's greatest desire.

"I-" Jack starts, but Tommy gives Jack a signature look. Jack's lips close around the next word he was going to say. He nods slowly, looking away from Tommy and toward the other servants taking full advantage of their break.

"Please tell Scott to come to my carriage," Tommy orders his knights. Niki gives Jack a look, and he rushes to find where the elven witch is. Niki raises an eyebrow, waiting for more orders, but Tommy waves her away, letting her deal with the rest of the retinue. Niki nods, moving, and Tommy goes to his carriage. Tiberius continues to sit inside. Tommy pulls at his connection with Hetta, and she appears in his arms. "I want the two of you to investigate the area while I speak privately with Scott. Do not disturb us, and report any peculiar findings to Niki."

"Understood!" Hetta declares, flying out of his arms. Tiberius groans audibly, but he flies out of the carriage in the opposite direction Hetta went in. With the two of them keeping an eye on things, Tommy feels a little safer. He climbs into his carriage, getting himself comfortable as he waits for the witch.

Scott comes a few seconds later. He looks antsy, eyes darting around the interior as he effortlessly pulls himself into the seat opposite from Tommy. The prince stares at Scott, taking the elf's full appearance in. He feels a little bad about not remembering Scott when he was younger. He was such a minor character, though. Tommy is fairly certain Scott dies, too, but for some reason, Tommy cannot remember how. It makes his head hurt to think about it.

"I wish to speak with some of your spirits... really any that are related to Orion, the jester," Tommy says frankly, deciding not to beat around the bush. He reasons that he could also ask about elves, but Tommy has enough time to pick up random tidbits of information over the course of the trip. He wants to hear from the spirits as soon as possible.

Scott looks away from Tommy, glancing around the carriage. His facial expressions change like he's listening to someone else speak. Scott's face twists, and he finally waves a hand in front of him. He looks resigned as he meets Tommy's eyes. "I will permit it. Some of the spirits are particularly eager to meet you."

Scott closes his eyes. He lifts his hands up, summoning a black-leather book. The book floats in the air, and the pages turn on their own. They finally land on one page. The book opens as widely as it can. Suddenly, Scott's form changes. Instead of speaking to a black-and-blue haired  elf, he is staring at what looks like a moving drawing, the lines three-dimensional yet somehow still made from ink. The book projects the drawing on its page over Scott's body. Color drips onto the creature, making a young woman with long black hair pulled into two pigtails and dark brown eyes edged with bloody red. She wears pink-and-black armor, and her muscles are visible.

"Hello! My name is Kathie!" The drawing's voice is distant and wispy like someone is shouting from across a lake. Her smile, however, is as clear and bright as an overheard sun. Her excitement is bubbly and infectious. "What story did Oli tell about me?"

"I'm not sure. You're either the warrior sprite or the last gnome," Tommy reasons, trying to decide between the two since she doesn't remind him of the saintess or the woman the saintess rescued.

Kathie's expression noticeably shifts. She looks down at her knees, her features tightening together. "I'm the warrior sprite... I was once a Valkyrie, a warrior from the Underworld meant to defend the shades and other creatures of the endless night. I was the youngest of the Valkyrie, but I was destined to be the strongest. I left the Underworld in order to perfect my skills. This is how I met all my new friends, including Oli. Unfortunately, we were all locked in the Aether, the exact opposite of my home. I stayed there for a long time until Oli broke the seals on the portal. We were all separated when we came down to the Overworld. Since I spent so long out of the Underworld, it was way too easy for those pixies to curse me. I died alongside the pixies I slaughtered, but I was forbidden from returning to the Underworld. My soul was tainted, both by karma and the essence of the Aether. Unfortunately, I thought I was because the spirits of the pixies continued to linger. I thought if I got all of them to go to the afterlife, I would be free to return as well. I tricked a gnome into finishing off the pixies. While their spirits did finally move on, I accidentally passed both my curse and karma onto the gnome. Although I could return to the Underworld now, I didn't want to until I found a way to save that gnome."

"Why were you all trapped in the Aether?" Tommy asks. Kathie's story lines up with what Tommy remembers from Orion's story. Tommy had his suspicions that the warrior sprite was one in the same as the dark spirit, so it was nice to have confirmation. Kathie is more pitiable than the dark spirit in the fanciful tale, feeling more like the warrior sprite as she speaks.

"It was because of the war," Kathie says simply, her face clouding with confusion like she finds it strange someone would ask her that.

Tommy's mouth is open to ask about the war, but the floating book flips to a different page. A new projection falls over Scott's body. A man with a warm skin tone like someone from Las Nevadas or the Badlands sits across from Tommy, wearing deep teal clothes with shadowy red accents and foggy gray armor. He has a hood over his head, but Tommy can see his pale gray-blue eyes and the brunette beard covering the lower half of his face. The man smiles widely at Tommy, carrying the same bubbly attitude Kathie had when she first appeared. "I am Mythical! I have been wanting to meet with you since you first met Scott. We're both blessed by Santa Perla!"

"What does that mean...?" Tommy asks, raising an eyebrow.

Mythical lifts his hand up. The tattoo looks a little funny as it is ink reforming ink, but Tommy can clearly see the orange-gold petals of the sunflower's petals on the back of Mythical's hand. Mythical smiles even wider, showing his pearly white teeth. "We were both given her blessing! Er, well, a version of her gave us these blessings. While I am an afterimage of a soul, Santa Perla is an afterimage of the mind and of power. She's what was left behind after the deathless salvation."

"I'm even more confused," Tommy admits, trying to piece together what was just told to him. Santa Perla is a version of who? The Lady of Sunflowers? What does it mean to be an afterimage of someone's mind and power? What is the deathless salvation, and why does it sound so familiar to Tommy? Why does it make him sick to his stomach?

"I'm sorry. It seems that without her soul, Santa Perla feels no pity for you and hasn't answered any of your questions," Mythical says, a frown touching his face. It disappears within the turning of a second. "I must be her answer to your prayers! Oh, how exciting. I will tell you everything I can on behalf of my lady."

"Thank you-" Tommy starts, but he stops when Mythical makes an odd noise. The pages of the floating book flip again, and his figure disappears like water spilling over ink. The book resists opening one particular page, but it finally opens completely. A new drawing is made in the air. While Kathie and Mythical were made from firm strokes of ink, this figure looks like they are made from dripping water color. To add to the mystery, a thick black smoke rolls off of their body, filling the carriage. Tommy panics for a split second until he meets a pair of golden yellow eyes. The water-color creature sits complacently, an apologetic expression on her face. Her skin is pale, and her ears are pointed. Dark brown hair spills out from underneath a mushroom-themed beanie, and her gray overalls look adorable over her mint green shirt.

"Um, I'm Shrub, and well, I'm sorry. I know that I'm hurting you and Scott with my presence. I wouldn't have done this if I didn't have something really important to tell you. The other spirits and I are all bound by the laws of death. They were created by the lady of darkness a long time ago. Because of this, we can't tell you much. Our limitations include more than just taboo knowledge. I know that's what you're looking for. If you really want answers, you need to see the Huntress in the Fae Wilds. Taboo knowledge will definitely make you go insane and her presence, too, might not be well for your mind, but if you are determined, she is your best bet. She has a little more leeway to talk than most," The gnome explains. Tommy feels his heart lurch in sympathy for her since he knows her story. This emotion is quickly dulled by the physical  pain inside Tommy's body from inhaling the shadows. He tries focusing on her words as he puts a hand on his chest. The gnome looks a little more panicked, continuing hurriedly. "If you ever see me again, you have to use your Materialization powers to kill me."

Shrub disappears. The darkness begins to roll back into the floating book. Tommy coughs, nauseous and disoriented. Scott is unconscious on the other bench. Tommy reaches for him, trying to see a pulse, but the floating book moves again. Tommy's hand stops as a new projection appears. It is faint enough that Tommy can still see Scott behind the figure. Tommy tries focusing on the figure. They are wearing a simple white gown. There is a splotch of red color behind their back. Tommy doesn't recognize the spirit until he looks up, meeting a pair of violet eyes.

—

The Enderian stares up blankly at the sky. He tracks the movements of the wispy gray clouds as they move over the stars. He isn't really seeing them, though. His eyes are still looking into Scott's determined eyes as the elf rushes into his own death. Ranboo reaches a hand upward, trying to grasp Scott. His fingers move right through the illusion, and he's left staring at the sky again. Ranboo's arm drops to the ground, and the process repeats itself several times.

Tubbo is groaning somewhere near Ranboo, his voice breaking through the static consuming Ranboo's hearing. Enderpearl is pawing at his chest, trying to get his attention. Ranboo breathes out heavily. He feels the pain of that breath in his chest even if he can barely hear it.

Ranboo nudges Enderpearl. She leaps off his chest, landing on the ground beside him. Ranboo brings his knees to his chest. He stares down at his palms, fingers stretched out to show the scars and drying blood. Ranboo takes another breath, and it sounds clearer in his ears this time. Ranboo moves his fingers, one by one, and he starts to feel the way they contort. The pain grounds him until he's able to have a coherent thought.

He turns his attention to Tubbo. He can't save Scott. He can't get back to the blight. He doesn't know where their companions are. He doesn't even know where they teleported to. The one thing he does know is that Tubbo is here with him, and the one thing he can do is help his best friend. Tubbo is hurt. Ranboo just needs to solve that, focus on that problem. Everything else will resolve itself later.

Ranboo hopes so, anyway. He's always been so damn hopeful. It has done nothing for him before, but maybe it will do something for him now.