I try to direct Kaos back the best I can, but it's hard to remember where I ran off; I have this bad tendency to space out and be unobservant as fuck when I'm running. Thankfully, we come across the struggling stream which means we're close. Before we can continue further, though, I get Kaos to stop and let me down.

"Just wait here," I yell up to him, already running along the stream. "I'll call for you when things are sorted out."

But before I can get the others, I have to find something. My eyes are laser-focused as I carefully scan the area, and like the sore thumb that it is, I spot what I'm looking for.

Still wedged in the middle of the small stream, my sword glints in the sunlight. As I pull it out, I study it, making sure it's exactly how I left it. It may have been welded by a novice blacksmith, it may have slain people in the past, it might boast of horrible past deeds, but it's a part me, just as much as the ring around my neck is, and most importantly, this is not the past anymore.

Sheathing it in my makeshift sheath, I then hurry back to the spot where I left the others. I don't know what I'll be walking into- scoldings, confusion, relief, interrogating- but I brace myself for anything.

Thankfully, it seems that no one is awake. Everyone's still laid out, unaware of my episode last night. But as I survey them again, I realize that someone is missing.

"Joan."

I'm not one to be spooked like a little kid, but I wasn't expecting her to be so close behind me without sensing her.

Whirling around, I see Nimu looking at me, a look of confusion and slight annoyance on her face.

"Thanks for nearly scaring the shit out of me," I tell her.

"Where have you been?" She asks, keeping her volume low as not to disturb the others. "I wake up and you're not here. I thought you went for a walk or something, but when some time passed I became worried."

"Look," I sigh, glancing away for a moment. "I'm sorry about that. I ran off last night-"

"Last night!?" Her eyes widen in shock. "You've been gone since we went to bed?"

"Yeah, and it was stupid, but I just had a lot going on."

The shock wears away and is replaced with a look of sympathy.

"Are you in the right frame of mind now?"

I'm actually kinda relieved she didn't try to delve into my psyche and try and understand what made me so overwhelmed- it's something I feel should be kept to myself.

"Yeah, I am."

"Good because you'll need to be in order to deal with Tymos."

"Don't worry, I'm ready for him," I pause, giving her a curious look. "Are you ready?"

Now she sighs, but she straightens up and replies, "Yes, I've been ready longer than I thought."

I'm not usually the one to give encouragement, but as I place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, I offer her the best I can give.

"Just know, whatever goes down, I got your back."

She sighs again, giving me a tired yet encouraging smile.

"It's taken this whole maddening journey," She begins. "But you're not as bad as you first appeared."

Slapping a hand over my heart, I give her a cheesy grin. "Aw, shucks. Glad to see I could switch you to the dark side."

Shaking her head at me, her tail methodically flicks back and forth. "You are something unique, I will say that."

"I try. Now, let's wake the others- I got a surprise to show you guys."

She gives me that infamous arched brow. "Oh? Good or bad?"

"You'll have to wait and see- just trust me on this."

"Alright," She says with some lingering suspicion and uncertainty.

So while she wakes the guys up, I return to where I told Kaos to wait.

"Okay, you can follow me," I call up to him.

I hurry ahead while he follows behind, each step resulting in a minor rumbling of the ground. As I return to the area with the others, I can see the other three are being woken up to the unexpected heavy shakes, rousing them quicker. Their eyes widen once they see who's behind me- especially Chasan.

"Is this the surprise?" Nimu asks, glancing between Kaos and me.

"Yup."

"What is he doing here?" Chasan demands with hostility forming in his eyes.

"He's here to help us get to Tymos faster."

"A little ironic seeing as he was ready to crush me the other day," He grumbles.

"Okay, yeah, I know," I shrug. "But he's turned over a new leaf and we have the same goal: bring down Tymos."

Chasan continues to hold an uneasy glare at the giant, which is understandable seeing how it went down last time, but we have no time for this.

Glancing up at Kaos, I call up-

"Hey, is it okay if you can take us the rest of the way to Tymos? His place isn't much farther."

Thankfully he got all that and responds affirmatively, stretching down his open hand to offer us a ride.

I wave the others on. "Come on, it's safe."

I know they're not a big fan of heights, but it won't be for too long, hopefully. Eventually, Dhisnaek takes the leap of faith and follows me with Nimu not far behind. Lan looks ready to board, but he stops when noticing Chasan's reluctance to follow the rest of us.

"Come on, Chasan, you can trust him," I tell him. "If not him then trust me."

Lan says something to him which I can't hear, but I notice Chasan's defensive nature seeping from his demeanor the more Lan talks. Eventually, he unfolds his arms and sighs before following suit with the rest of us.

Once we're all on, we're lifted up and Kaos starts toward the direction we were heading before we settled for the night. Like I thought, the others still aren't a fan of traveling so high up, but I can tell they're less tense than the last time.

After several minutes of silence, studying the area, Nimu speaks up.

"I know this might be redundant and something that probably won't get an exact answer," She sighs a little before continuing. "But what's the plan?"

I have to consciously stop myself from blurting out what I usually do about having- and needing- no plan. Swallowing that reply, I pause then find it within myself to answer-

"Just to find my brother, make Tymos sorry he ever started anything with me, and find a way to get Kaos back his original size- without dying."

Though I'm sure that wasn't exactly what she was expecting, it's like a teacher with a student who never raises their hand but finally does- even if their answer is wrong, it's still something.

"Well, Tymos definitely has the advantage," Chasan says.

"True," Lan agrees. "I mean, how do we even find your brother?"

Before I have to brainstorm a plan for that, Nimu quietly speaks up.

"We might not be at a complete disadvantage."

All eyes are on her as she sighs again shakily.

"I know the general layout of the palace- I had been there quite a few times."

Even though she might be embarrassed and ashamed by this, she's looking like Harriet Tubman to me right now.

"That makes our lives that much easier," I breathe a giant sigh of relief, causing her to look up more hopeful now. "Okay, so we can make our way around the place."

Truth be told, that's all I need plan-wise right now. As long as I can get to Brent, it's all good. Believe me, retribution is coming to that slimy asshat, but my brother comes first.

"I never actually thought we would make it to this point- the endgame," Lan admits.

"Honestly," I chime in. "Same. There were a few times I was like 'Shit, this is it', but we pulled through."

"I wouldn't breathe a sigh of relief too soon," Chasan adds, being his Debby-Downer self as usual. "We still have to get through this final obstacle." He sighs though and replies with a bit more positivity. "But, you are right, this has definitely been an adventure."

"I will fully-heartedly agree to that," Dhisnaek says. "And I was not even with you the whole journey."

I grin. "See, now aren't you guys glad I pulled you into this madness? I know I said and acted like I would have preferred to do this solo, but it kinda woulda sucked to go through this alone."

It's all coming full circle. With a glimpse of the palace straight ahead, I know there's no going back. But there's also no save button either, so whatever happens happens, no redos.

"Well," Lan says optimistically as we're approaching the high-standing palace. "It's going to be quite the view of the red sun from there."

"That's one way of looking at it," Chasan replies.

It is going to be quite the hike up this crag, but I have the energy and determination for it. Before we reach the base, though, still hidden by the soaring jungle trees, I make Kaos drop us off. I want this to be an easy slip in- though I'm sure Tymos is just twiddling his thumbs waiting for us- and being discreet doesn't include having a giant the size of a twelve-story office building walking up to the front door.

"Just wait here for us," I tell him. "If we don't come out by night then just assume we're dead and know I'm sorry that I couldn't keep my promise. But since I'm me, just know I am going to keep my promise and come out like a boss."

He nods. "Be safe and wise, that serpent is cunning."

"Gotcha."

We start for the base of the crag, making it there shortly after and starting up without hesitation. The journey up is steep and quiet, but I'm fine with that as I need to get my head in the game.

Glancing off to the side, I can see how far up we've traveled. I also notice how the sun and horizon are already becoming tinged a blood red. Lan is right, it's going to be something with this view.

We press on until finally arriving at the doors of the palace- albeit out of breath yet energized. Me being me, I'm already reaching out for the handle, only pausing as I glance at the others.

"Ready for this? Any wimps can turn tail now and I won't judge."

"I don't know, that seemed a tad judgmental to me," Lan observes.

"Eh," I shrug.

Nobody has to even say anything, the ready look in their eyes speaks volume. With an encouraging head nod from Dhisnaek, I brace myself, grip the handle, and push open the door.