Seonghwa and his helpers took turns catching some sleep. The elves needed a lot of care and while most of them quickly focused on their freedom and were overwhelmed by their joy, others needed a lot more coaxing and calming. Seonghwa caught some rest rolled up against Yeosang and later on, the others also got to lie down for a while once they were back up to help.

It took time, but they made progress. Calmed everyone who couldn't believe they were free and who feared the orcs would drag them back underground. Healed their pains. By the end of the next day, everyone was drained, but happy to see the elves at relative peace. Only those utterly broken would take more time to get through.

After the initial fright, the elves needed time to heal from their horrors. They would be safe with Seonghwa's allies, so he arranged with Lillwen to let them stay at the shore. The dryads also offered a home to some of them, even if they couldn't provide proper shelter aside from the trees. The elves wanted to go back home, find their families, and return to their houses, but Seonghwa asked them to wait. Most of them lost everything with the war, and they needed to regain their strength to rebuild.

Accompanied by the seraphim and the gryphon-borns, the elves were soon on their way. Some marched for the south, where the mages brought the most broken of elves for treatment through the nymphs. Others would stay with the titans and Asteria met them at the border to take them from Seonghwa. Full of marvel and easily distracted by the new world to see, the elves gladly found refuge with them.

They were hesitant to part from Seonghwa, but he gently held their hands when he told them his goodbyes. Battered and limping, the elves looked miserable, but their eyes had taken on a new shine. They marvelled at their emperor, who challenged death yet again and came for their aid, and they were reluctant to let him go. Their hope weighed heavy on his shoulders, but he gracefully accepted it. To him, it was an honour that his people would believe in him still. A show of dedication. He failed plenty of times as a ruler, so he felt undeserving of their trust, but he was the best they could get. With his father gone, his brother dead, only he remained of the family they trusted for centuries.

The allies found new faith in him. Witnessed his battle and fought by his side. There was much more to do, but they knew he was still around, working gradually towards their shared goal of peace.

With this event, news of his survival would spread. Seonghwa needed to be cautious around the demons especially. Figure out a balance with them so there wouldn't be more slaughter.

Seonghwa was ready for the change in rule. For the allies to elect whoever they deemed capable enough to lead them into a new era. He would support whoever it would be, so long as they wished only the best on his people. Until then, he would be with the elves.

"We will see each other soon. No more hiding. Now, we reunite," he promised them when he saw them off and his people bowed to him, even when they were hurt. Carried by hope, they made their way into their new temporary homes.

Seonghwa promised himself to visit them soon.

After everyone was accounted for and only Seonghwa remained with his helpers, he took the time to thank them all. Lillwen and Hlin lingered with their communities, and Hongjoong and San each oversaw their remaining people. When Seonghwa sunk into a deep bow before their gathered crowd, the three smiled back while Lillwen nodded her head.

"Thank you, sincerely. We couldn't have done this without you and I may rest easy knowing my folk won't suffer anymore. This is only the beginning of many more trials, but I am honoured to have you by my side. I was gratified you heeded my call." Some would always narrow their eyes at him, but he could convince most of the gathered people that he fought on their side. Going into the caves despite his status, arranging the entire mission when he could simply disappear and live peacefully in hiding. He proved he cared.

And they would carry the news of his survival back into their lands. Pandemonium would follow, but it would mean hope to others.

"Let's drink together sometime," Morana beamed at the assembled crowd and some of them cheered at their gorgeous princess, the gryphon-borns loudest of all. Seonghwa's kids left a good impression, strong and beautiful as they were. The three celestial elves bewitched the crowds anew.

"We're in! Call the shots, chick, and we will be there!" Hlin hollered, lifting a fist in Wooyoung's direction and he called back.

Seonghwa smiled at their enthusiasm.

"We shall celebrate upon our return to the Crystal Sphere. I will be in touch with your people soon. Take care until then," he wished them, folding his hands before his stomach for another deep bow. He owed them a lot.

His allies relaxed.

"Thank you for bringing us hope, Moon Emperor. Our empire heals, thanks to you," the same seraph who approached him a while ago said. Her eyes bright with her awe. Seonghwa's soul sang his song for the strength of his people.

"Have safe travels home," he wished them before they dispersed. Most mages teleported away immediately, while San gave orders on the return of his seraphim. The gryphon-borns discussed whether to drink first or fly first.

Seonghwa turned to Lillwen, who lingered with Morana, Aodhán and Thistle. She was ever-intrigued by the children, allowing Aodhán to gift her a bracelet he wove from flowers. She hugged Morana goodbye when the girl sighed wistfully about their parting, but as Lillwen straightened, Morana took Thistle's hand and it would be fine.

When the nymph queen caught Seonghwa's eyes, the connection of their souls conveyed her intrigue.

"I look forward to our next meeting. Perhaps below the stars, perhaps in the depths," she said, and Seonghwa handed her one of Hongjoong's communication crystals. In case of an emergency, no bird flew as fast as magic. Lillwen accepted it, handing it to Wynn, who was cooing over Pebble even if she got no reaction in return.

"Please take good care of my people."

"We shall. Go well, Seonghwa, and we look forward to any news from you." With that, Lillwen hooked her arm around Hongjoong's, who stood in wait to bring them back to the Nymphal Shores. Once Wynn grabbed her hand, the nymphs disappeared, leaving Seonghwa's family in the grove.

Everyone else left and his family loitered around, saying their goodbyes and relishing their accomplishment while Seonghwa visited the heart of the forest with Yeosang and Jongho to thank Sylvia.

The dryads kept their promise and provided well for the elves. Soothed them with their song and offered them fruit. Seonghwa conveyed his gratitude.

"We are glad to help your gentle people. Our only wish is that no more fires raze the forests," Sylvia told him, with half a face emerging from the bark of her thick stem. Her branches were laden with walnuts, new seeds to grow their children.

Yeosang connected with the other trees through the ground, stretching his roots into their net to grant his blessing to their fertile earth. The song of birds had returned after long days of strain and pain amidst them. Finally, the grove lay at rest.

"We will make sure of it. No more blood in the soil. Let us meet soon to celebrate harmony," Seonghwa suggested.

Sylvia hummed, the wind rustling through her leaves to carry the scent of the earth and the many flowers decorating the thicket.

"We look forward to it," she promised, and her people morphed back into the forest, losing their elven features to become the silent guardians of nature. Seonghwa bowed politely to their silent vigil before he slowly made his way back out of the forest. Yeosang merrily skipped along with him, a squirrel in his branches and a butterfly on his fingers, which he showed to Seonghwa with a proud grin.

It was healing, being out in the forest after so much time spent underground and the horrors they witnessed in the caverns of the orcs.

Seonghwa hoped the elves would relish similar sights. The rushing of the water lapping at the shore. Animals building their nests and burrows. The stars twinkling overhead to guide their destiny.

Healing would come. It would take time, it would hurt. But they had people to support them. Seonghwa would be that. The same way his husbands took care of him.

They made it back out into the clearing to reunite with the rest of the family. Jongho waved goodbye somewhere to the east, not clarifying who he had been communicating with over there. Only Pebble looked in the same direction, then they trudged back to their family.

"What are we doing now?"

Morana was bouncing on her feet, glad for the free space after spending so much time among people with little opportunities to hide away.

But she helped well. His kids were brave, as were his husbands. Seonghwa was ready to sit down with them, praise them for their strength, and work through everything they witnessed. They needed each other right now, and they deserved a breather.

"Now we go home to the titans and take a break. We'll have to be in the empire soon, work with Hongjoong and San to rebuild. Can you contact your king?" He asked the last part towards Yunho and the human beamed back at him, proud of his husband's leadership.

"Will do."

When Aodhán hopped to his feet, Seonghwa ushered them back to their camp, where only their things remained after the bustle of last night.

"Let's pack our things and go see the twins. They will miss us terribly," he cheered them on and his kids raced off with the animals, trying to make a challenge out of who could pack the quickest. Aodhán also gathered Seonghwa's items, handling his spear with the greatest caution. As the adults slowly came after them, Yunho swung his hand interlaced with Mingi's and Jongho reached for Yeosang to copy them. His shoulder struggled with all the movement, then he found a good angle to crunch it in.

In love with them all and the sun dancing on their features, Seonghwa smiled back at them. Their triumph felt good. The pain worth it.

San's hand materialised seconds before Hongjoong showed up, announcing the sorcerer. He wiped some lingering wetness from his fingers using a pristine handkerchief while Wooyoung skipped by Seonghwa's side. He was glad to return home, even if he would have liked to drink. The promise of gifts and cosying up to Seonghwa easily convinced him.

"Are we walking or should I call for the gryphons?" He asked eagerly, ready to overlay any bad memories he made with happiness.

Seonghwa twirled on his feet, walking backwards slowly as he caressed Wooyoung's cheek. The others fell into the spell of his joy immediately. Knowing his elves imprisoned had worn on Seonghwa since he was a child. They witnessed a permanent weight lifting off him, his steps getting lighter and the sound of his soul sweeter until it seemed to echo through the forest, luring fairies and animals.

"Let's take our time, shall we? The air is so refreshing and it's not far. We can use the breather. Soon, we will be running after our diplomacies," Seonghwa grinned, feeling free how he had never felt free before. Things were perfect as they were, momentarily. Many more issues to attend to, many more discussions to have. Hiding and living happily never sounded more appealing, now that he knew his people were free.

But he wasn't one to do one half of his work and leave the rest unattended. The elves now needed a home to recover. He would build it for them.

"Ugh, I hate politics," Wooyoung whined, but he readily jumped after the kids to pack up their items so they could go on a walk through the forest, like many years ago.

Nature livened up around them and the stars shone brighter as the message finally carried across the kingdom.

Their Moon Emperor was alive, and he was on his way back to them.