The day after Phineas' dinner, Will and his family go to the Bennett Plantation. Will Jr and his siblings embrace their grandparents tighter than before. Like they want to pass good news through the hug.

"Mom, dad. I have important news to tell you...."

He tells them about Phineas' act to extend his and Mel's lives and the second spell. The gray-haired couple cry tears of happiness and sadness as they hug their miracle tightly.

"At least we will have more time together," Dorothea sobs.

Bumva gently takes Dorothea's right hand and places it on her belly. Mel does the same with her left hand. James and Dorothea jump with joy.

They eat lunch together with Esmerelda and her siblings helping out. 

"Do you have names picked out?"

"If it's a girl, Sabrina. If it's a boy, Hector," Melody proudly tells them. 

Bumva and the others understand the significance of that second name. The loyal captain who helped her even after death.

After lunch, Will crouches down and finds her legs. He takes off her shoes. His magical fingers relieve the pressure from her hard work.

"It's too early for that, mi amor."

"Consider this one an early one. There will be plenty more to come. You're next, Bumva!"

"I always wondered....how are you good at that?"

"He's got his father's magic," Dorothea explains with a laugh. James kisses her cheek and holds her from behind. They smile proudly as more grandchildren will arrive.

One year later...

Crackling! Fzzz!

William and Claude play accompanying music while Luis practices his lightning feet. He times his attacks to the rhythm of the song as Phineas looks on.

After practice, Will takes his son home. Claude stays behind.

"Old man! Would you like me to play a song for your eulogy?"

"I would like that. I wouldn't ask anyone else."

Claude smiles from the honor of it. "I will compose the greatest song that Engla has ever heard!"

The mage laughs. "Save that for William."

"Fine. Fine. Five years left to go. Want to spend the rest of it with a woman?"

Phineas waves his hand to the side. "Not the ones you pick!"

"What's wrong with that? I got good taste and I can set you up."

"I...do admit you have good taste. You're with Cara after all."

"She's the best," his eyes soften.

"To think you fell in love after all."

"I can't keep chasing princesses when I already found an empress. Don't change the subject! I bet there's women who want to be with you."

"I've never chased love before, and I don't see a need now."

"In case you change your mind, come to the brothel."

"We'll see, you perverted bard," he speaks gently.

"What do you want to drink tonight?"

"I think gin will be fine."

Claude shudders from experience. "By itself?! Are you insane?"

"With orange juice of course....and plenty of ale!"

"You got it, you old fool."

-----

Will and Luis return home. The cries of human and orc fill up the mansion. Will follows the sounds down to his bedroom as Emilia runs in with fresh towels.

She sets up the towels on their shoulders to burp their fussing young ones.

"Si ti puedes, Hector," Mel encourages her new son who shares her magenta eyes. He squirms and cries from the gas inside him.

"Do it loud and pride, Nanka," Bumva pats her dark green daughter who has brown braided hair.

"Need help?" Will asks.

"Sure."

Melody hands Hector over to his father who carefully holds him. He pats his back repeatedly and rocks him. His son fusses.

"Daddy's here. We just got back from Luis' magic practice."

Hector burps and spits up on the towel. His fussing subsides.

"That's my boy."

Mel taps his arms and takes her son back.

"Give me Nanka, my love," he tells Bumva. She hands her over with care. After patting her back...

BLEGH!

Her loud burp makes the four of them laugh.

"That was a good one. Loud and proud," he continues to hold onto her. Nanka rests her head on his shoulder.

"Oh, thank the Heavens you came back," Bumva sighs with relief as she sits on the bed.

"Take a break. I got her this time."

Luis tickles the soles of her tiny feet which gives her giggling fit. Everyone smiles as Hector joins in with the laughter.

"Oh, Mel. Let me know if you need a break too."

"I'm good for now."

Hector fusses again. Mel sees him rubbing his eyes. "He needs a siesta."

She hums a lullaby while laying him in the crib. She waves a small soft cloth over his face until he falls asleep.

The blind bard feels a yawn from his new daughter. 

"They are so alike. Luis, lead me to her crib," he offers his hand. Luis leads him to the crib opposite of Hector's. He carefully lays his baby girl in the crib. He clears his throat and speaks in a deep voice.

"Once upon a time, there was a dragon of brimstone and sulfur. Claws that can cleave through any armor and weapon. Its fiery breath can turn a sunny day into a cloud of deep darkness. Everyone feared its might and dexterity...."

Nanka smiles throughout the story until she snores.

Will stops. "We will continue next time, mija."

-----

People hustle and bustle as they go for shade. Cold pitchers of ale pressed against their foreheads. Fortunately, a cool breeze continues to pass through to their relief. An almost perfect day.

Will, Bumva, Mel, and their children are all dressed for an occasion that goes opposite of the sunny day. Bumva and Mel grasp his hands to lend their strength. Tiffany somberly walks with her mandolin in tow to be there for her teacher.

Nanka sees something hit the street. Her human eyes see it's a liquid. She runs up to her father and hugs his leg. "I'm here, papa."

"Thank you," he whispers through his tears. He crouches down and picks her up as they go to the cemetery.

Most of Engla is in attendance for the funeral of Phineas the Wizard. From the king and queen to the entire guild.

A statue is erected in his honor with the list of his accomplishments on a plaque. Not a dry tear in sight as Will and his family watch on. Several people speak of what he meant to them.

Claude taps him on the shoulder and whispers. He puts Nanka down.

"I'm going to speak. Be right back," he whispers. Claude leads him to the front and leaves him there.

"Thank you for your kind words about my master. I'm sorry, Phineas. You told me not to call you that. When I was a child, I wanted to be like him. To go on many adventures, use magic, and save damsels. I didn't want my life to be ordinary because of my blindness. When we first met, he tried to dissuade me out of concern for my safety.

If it hadn't been for Claude's music, my life would have been so different. I thought my hope had died out that day until that happened. I'm fortunate to have been Phineas' student. He taught me so much over the years. Besides being my teacher, he was a great friend. I never felt judged by him when I made mistakes."

Bumva and Melody understand he's referring to the Black Iron Gang incident.

Tears run down his face. "If I hadn't known about my magic, I wouldn't have met my beautiful and wonderful wives. Things would have been so different for me."

Both his wives smile while thanking Phineas for being involved in their loved one's life. 

"When my son, Luis, had used magic for the first time, Phineas was ready to teach him. He helped him progress as a mage who will be far stronger than me. Before he passed, he gave me a wonderful gift that I'm grateful for: life. A life worth living so his practices will live on. Let's chant his name to let him know how much we loved him!" His voice rises at the end.

"Phi-ne-as! Phi-ne-as! Phi-ne-as!"

The gravestones almost shake from the collective voices unifying as one to celebrate the mage's long life. The voice dies down after some time to let a moment of peace pass through. Will stands to the side as Claude gets his mandolin out.

"I dedicated a song to Phineas, but I......can't seem to remember how it went. It's embarrassing. I promised him one, but I can't say the words," pain fills every syllable he uttered. Will walks over and embraces his second teacher.

Claude fights back tears during the hold. Cara's touch on his hands comforts him.

"He will understand," she whispers. Her lover nods before tapping Will to let go.

He strums a loud note that grabs everyone's attention. Several notes play on before it goes into fast succession as if to detail the mage's wonderful adventures. People imagine his fight with the magma dragon amongst his other deeds. The notes keep firing off rapidly as Claude wants the grave of Phineas to hear the song.

The pace slows down while keeping the adventurous tone. Claude concludes with a strumming gusto of every note he knows before holding a note. The audience stays silent until he motions with his hand to applaud in honor of his friend.

The thunderous applause can be heard from several blocks down. Things wind down as people leave a variety of flowers on his gravestone. Claude leaves a closed bottle of ale, hoping his friend could reach out and drink it. Everyone pays their respects, but Will, Claude, and the others stay behind as they reminisce the past.

Luis leaves a mage book which Phineas gave him for basic lessons. He slowly lets go of it. Will finds his shoulder and leaves a hand on him.

"He would have liked this," his son tells him.

"He really would."

His fifteen-year-old son Luis then turns and embraces his father with all that he can. He pats and rubs his trembling back. Nanka and Hector think something is amiss from looking at that embrace. Like it isn't just for comfort.

"Papa, will you and mama be like Phineas one day?" Hector asks with concern.

"Come here. You too, Nanka," he stretches his hands. The young boy and half-orc girl take them.

"There will come a time when I will be away for good, but I will always live on in your hearts and memories. Until that time, let's make the most out of each day," he gently tells them.

His children hug his legs in response. Their siblings join in for a giant group hug.

"This feels nice," the blind bard comments from the warmth of his children. After a while, they head to the guild for a reception.

Cara helps Claude back to their place as the bard doesn't feel like going. All he can think of was this: William is next.

----

Some years later, James and Dorothea Bennett start feeling sick from old age. Will tries to heal them, but his magic refuses as their time was coming up. He and his family bring them in to enjoy their final days.

Will tries to stay strong for their family, but cracks begin to show when he cries privately. Bumva and Mel hold him tight every chance they get. A reminder that he isn't alone in this.

Mel helps by giving them some ginger tea with honey to help with their cold. Their grandchildren pitch in by wrapping them in blankets and feeding them warm bread. Will and Gulak play songs for their entertainment. One day, Dorothea notices something on Gulak's ring finger. She almost jumps with joy out of her seat.

"You're engaged?!"

"I am. Ghulnea and I will be happily married one day. I'm going to get our own place and start our family."

"That's great. Will you be using the orc method or the human method?"

"Hmm?"

"Will you "kidnap" her like Bumva did to your father?" His grandpa clarifies.

"Ohhh. I need to ask her about that. Thanks for reminding me," before placing kisses on their cheeks.

Nanka also showcases something one day. "Grandma! Grandpa! Look at what I can do!" She holds her palm upwards to the ceiling. "Calor."

Her hand emits a warmth that sits comfortably on her grandparents.

"This feels so nice, Nanka. You're getting better at that spell," Dorothea compliments.

The half orc smiles with glee. "I know another. Pompa."

Small fireworks emit from her hand akin to a sparkler in one's hand. Dorothea and James' eyes are full of wonder.

She turns it off. "Luis taught me some basics. I will keep practicing until I get into mage school like him."

"What does he want to do again?" James tries to remember.

"He wants to teach just like Phineas."

"He will do a great job," her grandmother mentions. "What would you like to do?"

"I want to go on great adventures like father and mother did."

"Hopefully nothing too dangerous," James says with concern.

She beats her chest. "I'm tough just like mama and papa!" This display makes them smile.

One day, Mel surprises them with her wine as she lifts it up to their lips.

"You know how to spoil us, Melody," James grins.

"I'm glad you married our miracle," Dorothea tells her with pride.

She gently grasps their hands. "Thank you for all that you did for him. He has the best parents anyone could have ever asked for. His warmth and kindness...he got from you two. I fell in love with him because of that."

"Plus, he was handsome," Dorothea lightly chuckles.

"That was a bonus."

"Along with his music," Bumva adds while entering the room. 

"Can you get him to play for us? One more time?" James weakly asks.

"Sure. Be right back," Mel tells them before leaving the room. Bumva keeps watch over the two. Mel leads William over.....

He hears dripping and sniffling leaving the room. The mandolin clatters to the floor. His footsteps race right into Bumva's arms.

"I'm sorry, my love."

He sinks to the floor. Mel embraces him from behind. The house of Bennett is occupied with sniffles and tears too many to count....

Will's friends are notified by Mel to attend the funeral service. Their entire friend group attends with Bumva's parents and Tiffany in attendance. Ghulnea lightly strokes Gulak's hand as his father speaks first. Both Mel and Bumva have their hands on his back to lend him their strength.

"Mom, dad. Even when I was born blind, you still loved me. You taught me how to feel the world around me. How to sing and how to treat others. You supported my dreams even though they seemed impossible. I wouldn't have gotten this far without your help. You were the best parents I ever got. I'm glad you met your grandchildren," his voice breaks towards the end. 

Mel and Bumva rub his trembling back. He finds the strength to take out his mandolin.

He plays with every ounce of emotion inside of him. Each strum sends his sadness soaring into the air. Gulak, Tiffany, and Claude join in for backing support. His parents' words of support pass through his mind as they play. The final notes leave him kneeling on the grass. He stays in place as no more tears come out.

Gulak throws an arm under him and lifts him up. They return back to the house for a small reception. Each of his friends from the guild embrace him through the additional loss. Sindy, Yarlg, and Yang stay with them the next few days. They help with chores so they can process their grief.

Will gets up from bed to check on his family. He stops walking as he overhears something.

"Should we even celebrate our birthday coming up next weekend?" Hector asks.

"I don't think so. It would take away from gran and grandpa," Nanka answers.

"I think the same way. I don't mind skipping it this year."

Will's lips quiver from hearing that. He silently walks back to his wives to discuss something....

Nanka and Hector wake up on their birthday and go to the banquet hall for breakfast. The door to it is locked to their surprise.

Knock, knock. "Mom? Dad?"

"Just a minute!" Mel calls out.

Swift feet approach the door and Emilia opens it. "Good morning! Come in."

The duo walks in and finds their whole family standing around the table. A freshly baked cake with buttercream frosting waits for them on the table with lit candles.

"Happy birthday, Hector and Nanka!" The whole group shouts. The youngest siblings cry.

"We don't have to celebrate this year."

"What about gran and grandpa?" Nanka asks with guilt in her voice.

"They would have wanted you to celebrate your birthday. It doesn't have to be a big one, but we won't allow a single one to pass by. You deserve to be happy. They would want that," their father asserts with kindness.

"The day is whatever you two want to do. Your wish is our command," Bumva informs.

Hector and Nanka are moved to happy tears. They run to their father and embrace his legs. Mel and Bumva brush their hands through the hair on their heads. The sniffling stops.

"When you're ready, blow out the candles. What would be your wish?" Esmerelda asks.

"I want to be a knight," Hector answers while wiping his face.

"Why?"

"I want to protect the innocent and my family too."

"You will be a way better knight than Garth," Will tells him with a smile. He then realizes what slipped out of his mouth.

"Who's Garth?"

"He's...someone who claimed to be good but had bad intentions. I will tell you more when you're older. Blow out your cake and we can go see an exhibition if you want."

His magenta eyes sparkle with excitement.

"Is that what you want to do, Nanka?"

"Yes! I want to see blood!"

Will, Bumva, and Mel chuckle from her response. Nanka and Hector blow out their candles and eat the biggest slices of cake....

Metal clashes against metal as the knights adjust the swing of their blades. Hector and Nanka imitate the swings with chicken drumsticks as their weapons. Hector jumps up from seeing a knight parry a horizontal strike to land a diagonal slash that knocks his opponent to the ground.

"This is so cool!" Hector exclaims. Mel smiles on with pride that the spirit of her loyal guard will carry on through her son. She grips her husband's hand.

Five more winters left to go....