The dwarves worked quickly and efficiently. Only a week after Seonghwa's return to the Ruins of Gods, he received a speedy letter from Sylvia informing him that the dwarves had arrived at the grove and asked for passage. Hongjoong personally went to see them, checking their identities and leading them safely through the woods of the titans.

Since Seonghwa didn't dare allow them too close so the titans wouldn't get irked, he met them on the outskirts of the ruins together with Yeosang and Jongho. He knew Morana was somewhere in the trees above, spying on them, but he pretended not to notice as he greeted the dwarven emissaries.

They came with a cart that transported two dozen round jars full of their mysterious weapon. Cushioned with furs and pillows, the strings were tied to perfection so the lids wouldn't slip. Two blind cave boars dragged the wagon for them and the dwarves recognised the moon emperor coming to greet them.

"Here is yer weapon, as promised. Usage is simple. Open the jars below the earth and the gas will spread through the tunnels. It should knock out all orcs within a few minutes, depending on saturation. Kills them in their sleep, all painless. We tested it on some other folks, so yer people shouldn't feel anything. With demons, we aren't sure since the gas attacks similar nerves as on the orcs. Best be careful with yers," the leader of their little troupe informed Seonghwa. Yeosang and Jongho carefully unloaded the jars, gathering them in a large crate laid out with straw and leaves for the transport.

Frightening as it sounded, Seonghwa was glad to hear they ran tests. That meant his family would be safe. Mingi shouldn't come along either way, so there wouldn't be an issue.

"Thank you for your benevolent gift and for bringing it all the way here," Seonghwa said with a graceful bow and the dwarves waved him off, already looking forward to returning into the earth.

"King Greyback sends his regards and reminds you of our deal. We'll contact you after you made the announcement of your success."

Their confidence was refreshing. Seonghwa trusted in their craftmanship, though he might still advise his allies to wear masks.

"Absolutely. Thank you and have a safe journey back home," Seonghwa bid them and the dwarves marched off, not staying for a meal.

Hongjoong peered down at the gold-lined jars in their crate. His suspicion wanted to test one first before employing the weapon, but whatever Jongho heard from the stone of the jars seemed to match up with their knowledge. Seonghwa needed to trust his allies and if the dwarves betrayed them, Hongjoong could ward off the gas with magic while they battled the orcs in the traditional way.

With the help of a titan, they brought their crate back to the cave, hiding it in a safe place where no one could touch it until the time for the attack came. Seonghwa called for his husbands and Crius to meet at the tree so they could forge the final plans.

His family assembled, huddling in a big circle. The pets ran around and Pebble kept bumping into people on her mystery goal, but everyone else took the discussion seriously. The kids would have listened in anyway, so Seonghwa allowed them to sit with them. Since they were too young to understand much, the twins played with their new quartz playing figures next to Wooyoung, and the gryphon-born was halfway with the strategic discussion he barely understood and halfway playing with them, bickering over which piece belonged to who.

Hongjoong brought a map of the area, showing the Orkish Marches and the bordering empire. The Ruins of Gods were south of the marches, and from the east bordered the Sky-reaching Highlands and the Glistening Walnut Grove all the way to the mountains in the north. The orcs occupied the free land all the way to the western coast, so they had nowhere to flee unless they had access to a harbour.

Thanks to Onyx' spying and some remaining information from Yongguk's and Circe's journals, they could mark most of the orc forts on their maps. Though they constantly changed occupation through various chieftains, they were the entrances to the tunnels. Fortified so no prisoners would escape their fate.

There would be other exits. Hidden under the snow or in the forest, but their scouts wouldn't know of them all. No golems watched under the soft grassland that blended to marsh near the coast either.

But the tunnels were all interwoven. If the gas of the dwarves worked as promised, it would reach from one fort to the others, filling every cave and every orc hiding inside. Some might flee, some might patrol the surface. That's where Seonghwa's allies would come in.

"We will depart during the morning when most of them are inactive. Place the gas, go in and save the elves. Our allies will defend us from above and hold back any orcs that might avoid the gas," Seonghwa explained. They had no armies like last time, but they had a bunch of determined people on their back. Mages and seraphim, the titans and the gryphon-borns. The dryads and the golems would make sure no one passed their borders and the nymphs would be at the ready for the prisoners and anyone who got injured.

"We'll accompany you. There shouldn't be any risks inside those tunnels once the gas is working, so we can locate the elves and get them out. Slay their leaders so the orcs are without orders," San said, his arms crossed and brows drawn with concentration.

Seonghwa nodded. They couldn't take too many people inside. But he needed to be there. Needed to get his people back and rise beyond his brother's tyranny.

"Mulberry can't come since we are below the earth. But he can scout on the surface and warn us if something comes for us. Any unexpected alliances with the demons or such."

Mulberry squawked, offended at first but then quickly convinced since he got such an important role. Wooyoung also whispered a praise to him, telling him what an honour it was that Seonghwa thought of him first.

The elf stretched out his hand for Mingi, caressing over his fingers until they curled around his own. After last night, Mingi had faith. He didn't hesitate when Seonghwa addressed him.

"Mingi, love, you should also stay behind. You will be in danger otherwise," the elf pleaded, but Mingi nodded this time. He knew his lack of sight would hold them back and in those years, he learned to trust their abilities. Though he might fret, he would count on their return.

"I understand. But let me at least accompany you to the camp. So I know if something happens. I can't be alone here while you might get hurt."

Seonghwa squeezed his hand, proud of Mingi. He communicated his needs and though Seonghwa would have sent updates on the situation no matter what, so Mingi wouldn't have to fret by himself, he was glad to be asked.

"Of course," he promised before he lifted his eyes to the others. Everyone looked ready to follow him into battle once more, despite his past mistakes. Ready to face the consequences and risk their lives. Seonghwa prayed they wouldn't get hurt this time, that the dwarves provided a weapon that allowed them to overcome their enemies with as little pain as possible.

Still, he needed to make sure they would succeed.

"The pets and Pebble stay here with the kids. Thistle can come to visit if that makes you feel safer, and she is welcome to share any information on the orc hideouts and whether goblins can be rallied or will just encounter us in random groups." Seonghwa looked at Morana as he said that, well aware that Aodhán wasn't the most troublesome of his kids.

As predicted, Morana gasped immediately, offended he might even suggest that. In her eyes, she was as equal a fighter as his husbands.

"You need me there. Seungyoun watches over the rest," she argued, but Seonghwa shook his head. This time, none of the husbands went easy on their princess.

"Please stay home, Morana. You can't come along this time. This isn't one of your adventures. This is war. Not a place for a child."

She jumped up, eyes blazing with her rage.

"I'm not a child! I'm almost twenty; in human years that is well into life!"

"But you aren't human. And yes, you lived through moments no person of your age should have witnessed, but you are still young. This is a challenge even for us. We can't protect you properly," Seonghwa pleaded, reaching out through the bond of their souls to convey his fear for her, his care. He wasn't being a strict parent right now, but a loving one.

But Morana, ever the half-demon, flicked all empathy for his feelings aside, as she always had.

"Hence, you need my expertise. I can help. If you hadn't returned, it would be my task to free these elves. Or worse, I could have ended up with them. I should be there. And I want to help them get free. This is also my war."

Seonghwa shook his head. Of course, these politics concerned his heir. Of course, she wanted to help. But not yet. She deserved to be safe, how he had been safe. Needed to heal from her past scars. Seonghwa wouldn't forgive himself for the slightest scratch upon her and if anything did happen to him, they needed Morana alive to continue their quest. She inspired people without realising her destiny once already.

However, nothing could make her understand her worth for the future.

"I don't want you to see what expects us in there. It will be cruel and ugly. The worst nightmare come true. It's too risky. We can't protect you."

Morana crossed her arms, staring him down ruthlessly.

"You need me to kill for you! Who killed your brother, huh? That was me! You are the one we protect."

"And I have my loves for that!"

"Your loves who will become your downfall as much as your weapon," Morana sneered and Yunho sat up, about to comment on that, but Seonghwa could handle it.

"And you think you wouldn't? I don't want anyone to see this. Not them, not you. But they feel the same about me. They would not let me go alone, so this is already my last resort. Hongjoong needs his power. He can't teleport you out and defend himself at the same time."

"We have that covered! If things turn bad, Aodhán will bring me out! Let me stay since I care just as much!" Morana argued loudly, not explaining whether Aodhán was supposed to come in with her or was just her backup option, but the boy shrivelled either way when Seonghwa's eyes landed on him.

"Aodhán can teleport?" That was news to him.

"Not well," Hongjoong commented, and Aodhán ducked his head, giving in to the demanding eyes of his glowering sister.

"I can do it... Just not very far. But I could teleport her from the tunnels onto the surface, for example. Uncle San trained me a bit. I can fight without my magic and only use it in an emergency." Meek, he glimpsed up at Seonghwa and the elf exhaled, helpless against them.

If he forbade them, they would come after him. If he locked them up, he would break their trust.

They were strong, and he had to admit that. Stronger than other elves their age because of their heritage and the lives they lived until now.

Seonghwa sighed.

"I wish my children weren't so stubborn," he muttered, and Morana immediately pounced on the opening. Witty and sharp-tongued like a gryphon, strong like a demon and intelligent like an elf.

"The babies are safe and sound. But let me come along as your ally, yes, emmya? I can even stay at the back of the group where it's sooo safe," she sang, voice like the sweetest honey. Seonghwa couldn't help his smile as he recognised his husbands in her and Wooyoung immediately took their side.

"I don't think we can stop them," he chirped, proud of Morana's fighting spirit, and Seonghwa glared at him without heat. This was his fault.

"If nightmares haunt them, I have a potion," Hongjoong added with a shrug. "They will know what happened there, either by witnessing the aftermath or through studies. Morana can't grow up if you hide her from the world."

Seonghwa sighed again, defeated. Yeosang gently patted his back, sprouting his moon flowers in support.

"You were born into peace. They already saw war. Trust your children, Hwa. They are this strong because of you."

Seonghwa wished better for them, but his family was right. They needed to create peace first to relish in it.

When he conceded with a nod, Morana glowed like her very own galaxy. She fell around Aodhán's neck in a tight hug, happy about winning, no matter what they might witness.

"If only all of you weren't so headstrong," Seonghwa mumbled.