Flying around as a hawk, Lyra circled around the Sagespire. She noticed how lifeless the tower was and the erasure of the dusk crystals, meaning Clive and the others had destroyed the heart of the Mothercrystal. She proceeded to search the tower for her companions before scouring the outskirts when she didn't find them.

Eventually, she found them near the entrance to the Sagespire located in the Dim. She swooped downward and reverted not too far from the group. She rushed over to them to check and make sure all of them are okay. "Is everyone all right?"

Famiel, Marnek, and Halek turned around at the sound of her concerned voice.

"We're fine," Halek said.

"A-And the Chief too—all thanks to you," Marnek added before bowing his head in gratitude. "We cannot express just how grateful we are for your help, mila—erm, divine one."

Before she could say what she wanted, Famiel threw himself at her feet with his head on the ground. This took her by complete surprise. She blinked in confusion at his behavior. "What is—?"

Famiel interrupted her as he began shouting, "Crush my fingers, cut off my ear, or...or...!"

Lyra summoned her spear. She wasn't planning on harming him at all, but Marnek and Halek started to panic. She looked over at them when they started pleading with her.

"W-Wait! Punish us instead!" Marnek pleaded.

"Y-Yes! Take a finger, o-or two!" Halek begged.

"Take my whole hand!"

Lyra didn't miss the amused expressions of Clive, Jill, and Joshua. They were the only ones who knew she wouldn't be taking any fingers, hands, or ears from the crystal traders. She glanced between the three men who were now groveling on the ground in front of her. She let out a sigh as she flipped her spear around and lightly tapped the butt end of it against Famiel's head. This caused him to lift his head, his azure eyes meeting her emerald ones.

"I am not some barbarian who enjoys collecting ears or fingers as trinkets," she explained while withdrawing her spear. "Stand, and tell me what this nonsense is about."

Famiel, Marnek, and Halek got to their feet. All three of them looked at each other before the leader of their group explained, "Well...erm... For the way we treated you and your companions. You're a god, so..."

Lyra dispelled her weapon as she was able to understand what he was implying. "You believed I would punish you for such behavior."

"To put it simply..."

She placed a hand on her hip. "I don't know where you came to such a conclusion, but there is no punishment I will be delivering."

"So..." Halek lifted his hands. "We may keep our appendages?"

She huffed out a chuckle. "You may."

All three of them sighed in relief.

Famiel offered her a grateful smile before saying, "Now, if you don't mind, we've got places to be."

"We do?" Halek asked. When he glanced over at Famiel and saw his genuine smile morph into a look of annoyance, he received the message and corrected himself. "I mean, we do!"

"Thanks for, er...everything?" Marnek unsurely said.

Famiel glanced between his companions. "I said we've got places to be!"

With those final words, the crystal traders left.

Lyra watched them leave before looking over at the others. "It seems our mission is complete. We should return to the hideaway."

Clive glanced worriedly at her. He saw her slightly pale complexion. "You need rest. For now, we're returning to Eastpool."

She didn't argue because she knew just how exhausted she was from her battle with Morana. Not all of it showed on the surface. She nodded silently and followed him back to her hometown. They spoke to Oscar before he offered all of them to stay at Rodney and Hanna's former house. It had been restored, but no one was using it just yet.

While Lyra left to return to her former home, Oscar gazed at her and then looked back at Clive. "I have only seen her this disheartened when we spoke of what happened to Uncle Rodney and Aunt Hanna. May I ask what happened?"

Clive was a little hesitant. He glanced at Lyra before she disappeared from sight. Deciding to tell Oscar, he told him about Morana and her involvement. It shocked him, to say the least.

"I cannot even imagine the turmoil of emotions she is suffering from," Oscar sorrowfully said. "You are the closest to her heart, my lord. If I may make a selfish request... Could you check on her?"

"Of course, Oscar," Clive replied. "Leave her to me."

"Thank you, my lord."

Clive made his way to the former house of the Murdoch Family. He entered the home and headed to the bedroom that once belonged to Lyra. Quietly, he opened the door and found her standing in front of a mirror. The top portion of her attire was bundled up in her arms as she hugged it against her bare chest. Her long blonde locks were pulled over her shoulders, giving him a full display of her back. She was gazing at herself in the mirror, but he saw the distant look in her emerald eyes. It was as if she wasn't looking at her reflection at all. Even when he appeared in the mirror, she didn't spot him.

He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. As he walked up behind her, he was reminded just how small her frame was. He gently placed his hand between her shoulder blades in the hope his touch would pull her from her deep thoughts. He looked to her reflection when he felt her body relax under his touch. Seeing her blink a few times as the distant look in her eyes vanished, he called out to her. "Lyra, if you need to talk..."

"I..." She looked at her reflection and exhaled heavily. "I had zero hesitation in striking down one of my oldest and dearest friends. I never staved my hand for even a second. I am...mortified by my lack of hesitation. Neither did I hesitate when the other gods and I slew her in the heavens. Perhaps I was wrong when speaking of the nature of the gods..."

"I refuse to believe the gods—you—are meant for only violence and destruction," Clive argued, meeting her gaze in the mirror. "You possessed no hesitation because you knew what Morana was capable of if she wasn't stopped. You didn't allow your emotions to hinder your judgment because you were protecting this world and the innocent lives Morana would have reaped if you hadn't killed her."

She hugged her clothes tighter to her chest and cast her gaze to the floor. "There is truth in your words, and yet...I still cannot rid myself of such guilt. Time will be the only healer for this emotional turmoil. Thank you, though, for—" A shock of pain coursed through her back, silencing her. She grimaced, biting her bottom lip to keep from whimpering in pain. She let out a shaky sigh. "Heavens..."

Clive saw her painful grimace. His hand trailed up her spine and came to rest on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"Morana caught me off guard during our battle and managed to slice my back with her blades," she explained. "The physical wound has vanished, but the pain remains. Though, I am not surprised. My back will be in pain for a few days until I am fully healed."

"Joshua may be able to help," he said.

Lyra shook her head and turned around to face him. "I'm afraid this pain has no remedy. It is one that must vanish on its own. I will be fine." She spun back around to face the mirror. She put the top portion of her outfit back on. The moment she was done, two arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her back against a firm chest. She laid her arms over the ones wound around her and leaned back against her beloved. "Worried, are you?"

"Of course I am," Clive said, his large form engulfing her smaller one.

She smiled gently. "I know you would do anything for me, but I assure you all will be well. The pain will fade in the coming days before vanishing entirely. Rest will do me well until then." She leaned her head back against his chest, tilting her head upward. "After today, I believe all of us need some rest."

"None more than you," he said. He kissed the top of her head before releasing her. "Get some rest."

"I will," she replied as he pulled away from her. She watched him leave before deciding to crawl onto the double bed. Curled up on her side, she closed her eyes and fell asleep within minutes.

Clive returned a few minutes later after having spoken to Joshua, Jill, and Oscar. He too was exhausted from their latest mission and decided to join his beloved. He wasn't surprised to find her fast asleep when he returned.

Quietly, he made his way over to the bed and sat on the edge next to her sleeping form. He gently touched her face, combing a few golden locks out of the way. Seeing just how peacefully she was sleeping, he felt relieved. Ever since she broke free from Morana's control, he was worried if there were any repercussions. However, it seems there was no cause for concern.

Standing up, Clive carefully and quietly removed everything except for his shirt and pants. He then climbed onto the bed and laid on the other side of Lyra. On his back, he stared at the ceiling as the events of the past couple of days played through his mind. He closed his eyes for a moment, only to hear the haunting laughter of Morana echo inside his head.

Opening his eyes, he cleared his mind. He turned onto his side and faced Lyra, whose back was facing him. Closing the small distance between them, his body molded against hers and he laid an arm over her waist. Feeling the warmth radiating from her, he was able to relax completely and fall asleep.

. · : · . ✧ • ✦ • ✧ . · : · .

The next day, Clive woke up and found himself alone in bed. He wondered where Lyra went until he saw her standing in front of the mirror. She was combing her golden locks. Remembering he still had her ribbon, he got off the bed and took it from where he had placed it with his armor.

His attention darted to her when he heard something hit the floor. She was hunched over in pain, the brush she had been using now lying on the floor. Although worried, he calmly walked over to her and picked up the brush. "Allow me, please."

Lyra sighed heavily, displeased by the pain. "I would appreciate it very much. Thank you, Clive."

With the ribbon hooked around one of his fingers, he began combing her hair. He couldn't help but smirk in amusement as he recalled the first time he helped her with her hair. "It has been years since I've done this."

Lyra looked at him in the mirror. "Are you referring to the day where I oh-so gracefully fell in the mud?"

He chuckled. "You were overjoyed the lord commander had returned that you lost your footing and slipped. You were covered in mud."

She laughed fondly at the memory. "You were my only saving grace since Jill wasn't there to help me. It was only because of you that I was able to get all the mud out of my hair and straighten out my appearance in time to meet my father at the entrance to the city. You were quite nervous while combing my hair. Were you afraid of hurting me?"

"I was," he answered honestly. "My nerves weren't only affected by that possibility, though. I was rather flustered due to touching you after recognizing just how much I cherished you."

"You hid your emotions well," she commented. "And yet, I now have come to realize those small little gestures you showed me were your way of expressing your feelings. A part of me wanted those little gestures to hold a deeper meaning, but I dismissed such a thought. I had convinced myself you were simply being nice."

Clive continued combing her hair. "You showed me just as much kindness, perhaps even more. You were always the one who comforted me when the weight of my duties threatened to crush me." He then neatly pulled her hair back into the usual ponytail she wore and used the ribbon to finish. "Even now, you are still by my side. Nothing can express just how thankful I am to you, Lyra."

"And I, you. There are no words to convey the depths of my gratitude." She turned her head and caught a glimpse of the ribbon in her hair. She was surprised to see it again. "Mid's ribbon..."

"Morana did not seem to favor it, but I know how much you adore it," he said.

She turned around to face him with a smile. "Thank you, Clive." She kissed him on the cheek before stepping away. "Before we leave, I would like to speak with Oscar and properly visit my mother."

He nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need."

Clive watched her leave before he changed into his armor. Once he was ready, he left the house and rejoined Joshua, Jill, and Torgal. They spoke to one another for a while until they spotted Oscar and Lyra making their way over. The cousins were smiling as they chatted with each other.

"Her smile has returned," Jill said.

"All thanks to Oscar," Clive stated, happy to see the goddess smiling.

As Oscar and Lyra joined them, the golden-haired woman cast her smile in their direction. "Ah, you three are together. Good." She held out her hand to reveal the three talismans they gave her at the Sagespire. "I shall return these to you all."

The three talismans neatly folded into phoenixes and flew to Clive, Jill, and Joshua. Each one returned to its respected owner.

"Thank you for keeping my talismans. Although they are merely paper, it brings me joy to know the three of you still carry them on your beings," Lyra said.

"They aren't merely paper," Jill spoke up. "You once told us a gift isn't defined by the object but by the message it carries. These talismans are what gave us hope in our darkest hours. Their value far surpasses that of even the finest jewels or weapons the Twins have to offer. We cherish these talismans more than you know, Lyra."

Joshua nodded in agreement. "They truly are a light among the darkness."

"They are an extension of you, ones that we shall protect," Clive added.

Lyra smiled at the three. "Never did I imagine you all would come to cherish them so dearly. I cannot express how much joy your words bring me."

Oscar was the next to speak up. "Ah, yes. The talismans. I remember now. Whenever I came to visit, you would perform wondrous magicks with them. Without even touching them, you would fold them into various creatures while telling a story. I truly adored your performances."

Lyra's eyes lit up. "Do you believe the hideaway would enjoy such performances?"

Oscar nodded. "I do, especially the children."

"Then perhaps I shall make more talismans when we return and perform for everyone. Regardless of age, a story can bring others together and provide a moment of peace." She then gave her cousin a hug. "Take care of yourself, Oscar."

"You as well, Cousin," the man hugged her back.

Having said their goodbyes for the time being, they left Eastpool. After they crossed the bridge leading out of the village, Clive glanced at Jill, Joshua, and Torgal. "You three should return to the Hideaway and inform Charon of what transpired. I wish to take Lyra somewhere."

Jill smiled. "Of course, Clive. Take your time."

"Indeed. We shall await your return," Joshua replied.

Lyra was confused as she watched Jill, Joshua, and Torgal leave. Once they were out of sight, she turned to Clive. "Where are we going?"

"The cliff not too far from here," the man replied. "We may be able to find scarlet whimsias growing on the cliff."

The golden-haired woman almost forgot what they intended to do before their business with the dusk crystals began. She smiled at the thought of seeing the flowers she hadn't seen in eighteen years. "Perhaps I could find a few seeds and bring them back to the hideaway. It would be wonderful to add scarlet whimsias to the evergrowing seed collection of the backyard. To the cliff."

Side by side, Clive and Lyra traveled up the narrow path of the Broken Hilt to the cliff that overlooked the wetlands. When they reached their destination, they were shocked to see the current state of the flowers. All of them were wilted.

Lyra stepped forward and analyzed the wilted flowers. "These are indeed scarlet whimsias, but..."

"They've wilted..." Clive sighed dejectedly.

Smiling, she looked over her shoulder at him. "All they need is a little magic." Turning her attention back to the wilted flowers, she sat on her knees and placed her hands against the ground. As she passed the aether from her body into the soil, the brown petals of the scarlet whimsias turned a brilliant crimson. Slowly, the wilted flowers regained their beauty.

Clive walked over to stand next to her. His sapphire eyes swept across the blooming patch of scarlet whimsias. "They certainly will add more color to the hideaway."

"They certainly will." She plucked a few seeds from the flowers and stored them in a small pouch. She then put the small pouch away before admiring the patch of crimson flowers. "These were my mother's favorite flowers. She would often combine them with moonbells to make the whimsias more vibrant."

"The flowers you have displayed across the hideaway have truly brought not only color but life. Everyone loves what you have done with the flowers," Clive stated.

Lyra stood up. "I do hope to grow more and add even more flowers to the hideaway. Tett and Crow have expressed their desire to aid me in my next garland arrangement."

He picked a single scarlet whimsia. Turning to her, he slid the flower into her golden locks with a smile. "The children of the hideaway adore you."

"They are wonderful children who deserve a promising future," Lyra said.

He cupped her face with his hands, his sapphire eyes gazing into her emerald ones. "We will ensure that future."

She smiled at him, placing her hands on his chest. "A future that is also promised to us. Regardless of what awaits us, we shall overcome it—together."