She found herself standing beneath the gazebo of ivory wood and stone, gazing up at a starry night sky. Someone was beside her, a female glowing with an ethereal warmth. She knew whose presence she was in without even looking at her, but she did anyway.

    Oriana's soft blue gaze already rested upon her. Golden hair floated around her like a glistening mantle and light shimmered beneath her pearled skin. Morana began to bow, then paused as Oriana laid a delicate hand on her arm.

    "Is this why Rehema told me to be wakeful?" Morana whispered, almost afraid to break the reverent stillness around them.

    "Yes. I bring wisdom for the coming days." The goddess's voice was as lovely as she'd imagined, rising and falling like the melodic chirp of a songbird. It was impossible for her voice to ever compare with the goddess's, not even when she was singing.

    But she wasn't so awestruck not to remark on the goddess's words. "Why couldn't you bring wisdom before when we really needed it?"

    A tender smile graced Oriana's thin, bowed lips. "Perhaps we did not bring it directly, but we have always guided you towards what you need."

    "Why the different approach now?"

    "Because you are different now, Morana. You were not open to dreams and visions of this nature before."

    "Will this happen frequently?"

    "No. Even in dreams, it is difficult for us to return to the mortal realm for long. Even Drenusha cannot remain in her doe form in your world without risking the loss of her immortality. Such is the way for us. We Ascended while living, and to Descend now would mean death."

    Morana pursed her lips, but held her tongue. Clearly there wouldn't be time to ask all of her questions, if the goddess even deigned to answer them. She'd have to resign herself to hearing what Oriana had to say. When the goddess seemed certain that she wasn't going to interrupt, she spoke again.

    "I bring you a warning, Phoenix of Hadeon. The servant of the god-spawn survived the battle, and some small seed of Astaroth's power remains in him."

    Morana's eyes widened. "You mean Rhidian? Rhidian survived?" She shook her head in denial. "But...I killed Astaroth. Rhidian is nothing without him."

    "Yes, and you will have nothing to fear if that seed does not endure. But if it does, Astaroth may be able to return through a new host's body. Through the one who carries the last remnants of his power."

    "Will it happen?"

    "We don't know. Drenusha's Sight was clear before, but now, she cannot see more than a few days into the future."

    Morana stared at the goddess in shock and dismay, then slowly sank to the ground. She hid her face in her hands, still shaking her head. "No, no, I killed him. He's gone and it's over. It has to be. After everything we just went through..."

    Oriana knelt beside her and rested a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It is a terrible burden to place upon you, this knowledge, but you had to know so that you can be prepared if that day should come."

    Her. It had to be her, because if Astaroth returned, she would still be the only one who could stop him. But this was proof already that she hadn't done enough. She'd given it her all.

    She thought she'd killed Astaroth, but if he could return through even the smallest remnant of his magic, what could she do to stop him? Would it be a never ending cycle throughout her lifetime? Had all of this been for nothing? Morana didn't resist when Oriana tilted her chin up.

    "It was not for nothing," the goddess said firmly. "You have given your people hope where none existed. You have given them a chance that we thought had long ago been lost. You have time to rebuild and strengthen yourself and your allies. You have time to be with the ones you love. Take courage in that."

    Morana gave a slow nod, swallowing the anger, frustration, and disappointment that threatened to spill from her mouth. "What about the Corrupted Fae?" She asked. "Could Astaroth return through them? Is there a way to remove their Corruption and prevent it?"

    Oriana shook her head. "The Corrupted Fae, or Ash Fae as you have renamed them, were always meant to exist. The only way to remove them would be through mass extinction, and I don't believe that is what you wish."

    "It's not," Morana agreed.

    "You will have to find a new balance in the world. One that makes life sustainable for all of Asterria's people. But do not fear the Ash Fae. Astaroth has no more hold over them than he does over you now. All of their bonds to him were severed when you destroyed his body."

    "Astaroth can only lay claim to the male Rhidian because he imparted some of his power directly into him, something he never did to another Corrupted Fae. Because of that, Rhidian's mind and body belonged to him wholly and likely forever will."

    "A terrible fate for anyone, even Rhidian," Morana murmured.

    "Yes, it is," the goddess agreed. Her light had begun to dim now, Morana noticed when she looked at her once more. "My time runs short. I must go now, but I say this one last thing."

    "Take my warning to heart, but not to soul. Don't let it overshadow this victory, and don't let it darken your future. Many paths lie ahead of you that we can no longer see. Make the best of them and you will succeed in what needs to be done." The goddess was gone before Morana had a chance to reply.

•༻☽☾༺•

    There was something off about Morana's behavior Tarion noticed when he woke the next morning. She seemed tense, or perhaps worried. He had already tried asking her what was wrong, but she simply brushed off the question, claiming she was still tired and hadn't slept well.

    He hadn't pushed further, though he had the distinct impression that she was keeping something back. Perhaps he'd ask again later if the need arose, but for now, he'd trust that she would tell him when she was ready.

    "Are you ready?" Morana asked, coming to stand at his side while he finished adjusting the last fastenings on his tunic.

    He'd been surprised to find the garment neatly folded beside him when he woke, along with a change of pants and a pair of boots. Morana's own clothes had been washed clean and folded as well. There had also been a small assortment of food left for them, a few simple fruit tarts and a pile of mixed berries.

    They guessed by the tiny footprints left scattered around the gifts that the Little Gods had provided them. Morana had left one of the leather covered scales from her outfit and Tarion had cut off a small braided portion of his hair to leave in gratitude.

    They were hardly gifts befitting the ancient gods of the land, but it was all they had and to leave without saying thank you after all they had done didn't seem right. Tarion glanced back at their meager offering before answering. "As I'll ever be, I suppose."

    He wasn't looking forward to returning to Ophir already, but if that was where the others were regrouping, then that was where they'd go. He would play his part as he was meant to and stand at Morana's side. She passed Orilight to him and he sheathed it on his hip.

    He laced their hands together while she gave him an encouraging smile. Tarion managed to return it before Noxbane cleaved an open path for them. They stepped through as one, leaving the peaceful Pavilion behind and emerging in a city of obsidian and onyx.

    Tarion sucked down a deep breath, anxiety already threatening to crush his lungs. Morana stepped closer to him before leading the way through the crowded street. Everywhere they looked, there were already gathered groups of Fae and Humans alike.

    Many of the Ash Fae were still being guarded by the Shifters and regular Fae, but there didn't seem to be much hostility. They kept walking until they neared Astaroth's palace and found a few familiar faces waiting outside of it.

    Lonan and Neeri greeted them with bright smiles, wholly at odds with their dark and dismal surroundings. Before they could even offer a greeting, Lonan drew two familiar weapons from the sheaths on his back and held them out to Tarion. His eyes widened as he let go of Morana to take his scimitar daggers.

    "Gaelen told us where they'd been taken," Neeri said behind him. "I thought you might want them back."

    "Thank you," Tarion replied. He accepted the blades' sheaths from Lonan and strapped them in place, then settled the weapons in their usual spots across his back. "How are you doing?" He asked Neeri quietly. "Being back here."

    Some of the light in her eyes dimmed, but Neeri's smile remained. "I'm here with friends. I know I'm safe now."

    "Rehema and the other Elders are in the throne room with Gaelen," Lonan said. "They've been discussing a few options, but are waiting for your input as you requested. Gaelen hasn't been questioned yet either, but Rehema insisted he be there to offer any ideas he has for the Ash Fae."

    "Let's not keep them waiting then," Morana replied.

    Tarion drew another grounding breath as Lonan set off towards the palace and they fell in step behind him. It grew increasingly difficult to hold himself in check when they stepped into the dark corridors he'd been dragged down, ravaged and bleeding.

    Tarion's breaths quickened at every familiar sight and the fresh memories that accompanied them. It had taken him another century to recover from what he'd been through after he was released the first time. How long would it take this time?

    The fresh scars on his body seemed to throb anew as memories threatened to swarm him. He could scent the trail of blood he'd left behind himself. The footsteps of his companions became the heavy thump of Astaroth's guards. Lonan's auburn hair blurred into Rhidian's ruddy braid.

    His hands trembled at his sides as he fisted them, layering shields around his body as though they could keep the memories out. "I'm scared of being back here too," Neeri murmured beside him, catching his attention. "I was hoping I wouldn't remember anything from my time here, but I remember all of it."

    He glanced at her to find her arms wrapped around herself. She'd slowed her pace to match his and they were now a good distance behind Lonan and Morana, almost out of hearing.

    "I know the feeling," Tarion replied. Magic swirled at his fingertips, casting a protective barrier around Neeri too. She offered him a grateful smile. "Hopefully this will be the last time for both of us."

    "It will be," Neeri answered with a firm nod. "We'll do what we came here to and then we never have to come back."

    "I'll make sure no one can bring you back if you do the same for me."

    "Consider it done, your Highness." Tarion returned her smile this time and they quickened their steps, catching up with Morana and Lonan as they reached the obsidian doors that would lead into the throne room.