Seonghwa was relieved of his nightmares and his terrors. He no longer grieved about his failure and he slept peacefully through hours of Hongjoong's work. It was the first proper sleep he got in a long time. No more elves needed his immediate help, no more nature cried in agony. Right here, right now, he was at peace.

But something else visited him, now that it felt his spirit at rest. A familiar voice, drawing near from the depths. Seonghwa found himself displaced from his drifting and dreaming, struck by a rush of clarity but without waking from his slumber.

He floated in a black void, but it was illuminated by a golden glow in the far distance below him. A massive lizard moved across it, black and with mighty wings on its back. When it lifted its head, Seonghwa recognised it.

"Nox Eltanin," he greeted with reverence, wanting to bow, but there was no need for something like that in this place. The dragon greeted him through a power beyond physical forms.

"Moon Emperor... I felt your rise, and it called to me," Eltanin spoke and it lifted its head to Seonghwa, distanced on its hill of gold but connecting with his soul that was tied to the dragons.

"We are in no danger," Seonghwa whispered, afraid of another event like back then, even when Eltanin ultimately saved the rest of the empire by destroying the demons and orcs attacking the Crystal Sphere with its fire.

But the dragon chuckled, deep and throaty. Its eyes gleamed like stars in its skull when it studied how it perceived the elf. Just as a shine of moonlight.

"I know," Eltanin replied, and Seonghwa's soul eased its strain. He was aware their bargain wasn't fully resolved. That he betrayed the dragon for its reward and it was now here to reap it. Eltanin knew he had to tend to his empire first, but now Seonghwa was free. Ready to be reclaimed and, this time, properly.

"Then are you here to take me away again?" Seonghwa whispered, not ready to part from this life he regained, but he knew it would only be right. If a dragon raged, it could destroy much more than what happened in the Crystal Sphere. If Seonghwa wanted to protect his people and their future, it was only right to keep his promise to the dragon.

But Eltanin surprised him.

"No. I can see it in the stars. You have a bigger purpose for this empire, so you are not mine to claim," the dragon hummed in the recesses of his mind. It surprised Seonghwa with its unexpected understanding despite the notorious dragons' greed.

Seonghwa put his gratitude in his voice. His respect. Nox Eltanin was not his enemy and he would like to have a good relationship with the mighty being. Especially if it adhered to the fates as everyone else did.

"I sincerely apologise for our treachery. We clung to life, although I made a promise. Please, do not blame my husbands for what they did. I fear if I had joined you as I vowed, I would have become wilted and attempted to escape." Seonghwa was glad Jongho was there for him when it mattered. That he sacrificed years of his time to protect Seonghwa. The dragon may not have been a cruel keeper like the orcs, but life in its lair away from the moon and his family and folk who would suffer without him might have driven the elf mad.

Nox Eltanin seemed to have realised the same. So it no longer dwelled on its fury to be denied what was owed. But it might remember this treason for aeons still.

"You are forgiven, elf. I am a proud creature, but I know your worth. To me and to the firmament."

Seonghwa accepted those terms. He was lucky that he made it out and survived, but he never took it for granted. Many saved him and died for him. His beauty came as a terrible curse.

"Is there any other repayment I can offer you for your help?" He suggested, and the wyrm rustled across its golden treasure, tail dragging carelessly through priceless artefacts.

"You made these lands whole again... That means a lot to me. I heard their sorrow, their weeping in my dreams for many years. Now nature rejoices, and that is thanks to you. Healing these lands shall be my repayment, since it's a great feat for a puny little elf. I shall slumber in peace once more," the dragon sighed, settling down and curling up comfortably on its mountains of riches. The mighty head settled, but its eyes tracked Seonghwa still as he floated above the infinite void.

"I thank you, Eltanin. You are a great ruler yourself," Seonghwa praised him and the dragon huffed a breath, unimpressed by his words.

"I grant you one last gift. A new home for you and the seat of your empire. The Crystal Palace was forged by a dragon's breath once, deep in its lair. You shall rule from such a palace again, so all will be reminded of who supports you. Bestow me this honour." Those eyes glared like shards of ice and Seonghwa battled his grin into a benign smile. The titans offered to build him a castle too, and Seonghwa hadn't undertaken the big task yet, even when the forest arranged a spot for him. A dragon's favour meant a unique home like no other. Seonghwa would gladly take it and build homes for his children to rule in the future with the titans instead.

"Of course. I thank you once more. The elves will rule proudly from your seat for us," he said and Eltanin sighed, finally pleased with everything. Its eyes slipped shut and the tip of its tail settled as it prepared for its slumber once more.

"I wish our paths mustn't cross again. For next time you call for me, I will demand your child least important to the fate of this world," it muttered last and Seonghwa shuddered, but he would make sure no one would be taken from him. Otherwise, they would all leave together.

"Rest easy, Eltanin," he wished the dragon and his dream faded out, becoming thinner and less tangible.

"You too, star-blessed one."

The words followed him through the space of dreams until Seonghwa found himself waking slowly and feeling rested in Hongjoong's bed, no longer plagued by guilt.

-

Upon their return to the Crystal Sphere, they found everyone in a rush with tumult. People dashed out of their houses as soon as Seonghwa arrived through a portal. Wooyoung was there, together with Mingi, but the two looked to be merry with their food. On the other hand, the elves ran around with haste.

"Your Majesty!" One of them gasped out, barely catching her breath. Seonghwa lifted his hands to beckon he was here now and that she could relax, but the words spilled forth without pause.

"Yesterday! It just rose from the ground, Your Majesty! We thought it was another attack, but no!"

Others also ran over, scouts in their soft leathers and elegant bows and children who were curious about the ordeal. Wooyoung stood as well, confused how he hadn't heard of this news first.

"What happened?" Seonghwa asked so they could sort their minds, and the first woman spoke again.

"A palace! In place of the old one, a new palace grew, and it's even more beautiful than the one before! Come look!" They beckoned him along and Seonghwa followed after a quick smile at Hongjoong. He told the sorcerer of his dream after waking and there was no doubt about its meaning. They expected the revelation, but Eltanin hadn't been specific about what it could create with its breath. The last palace had been a colourful spectacle of crystals, their naturally jagged edges raising into asymmetrical shapes where every tower was unique. It matched the nature around it and the shine of the celestial elves.

As Seonghwa followed the elves through the forests, he imagined no specific wishes. He just wanted a place like home, like the Moon Castle, where each of his husbands got to have their dedicated spaces they relished.

Darkness flashed between the trees to shroud the skies and caught his attention. They broke through the tree line to climb a hill that gave them a better view of the reshaped lands and Seonghwa got to properly take in Nox Eltanin's gift.

Instead of white like marble or onyx, this castle was black as the night. Its round towers stabbed at the skies pointed like a dragon's horns and an elegant black bridge arched from a second hill towards it, limiting the direct paths up the steep cliffs. Along the towers and balustrades, faint light sources glinted with a pale light against their dark backdrop. The glow of the moon seemed to come from within and brightened the halls inside.

It was breathtaking, embracing both the darkness of the night and the light of the moon to guide them. The elegant touch of elven architecture wove in delicate patterns in the windows and doors, and it offered ample space to rule from together with his family.

The elves with Seonghwa looked astonished at the sight.

"In the morning, it glowed like a star in the night sky! Perhaps it will do it again once night falls," a scout muttered so they wouldn't look mad, but Seonghwa thanked them for their quick vigil. Everyone was still on edge, even if they settled down gradually. They were wary to protect their peace, so the dragon shaking up the lands had startled them.

"It was a gift for me by the wise dragon Nox Eltanin. A new place to rule from. What do you think, does it suit our people?" He asked them and the elves dropped their tension. Relief flooded them, since this was not the sudden arrival of some attacking force, but a gift for them. By their protectors, no less. It meant Seonghwa wouldn't have to leave to serve the dragon.

It meant their rule was blessed once more.

"It suits you marvellously, Your Majesty! It reflects your appearance and the night sky. Shall we spread the merry news while you move in?" They were grinning from ear to ear now, excited to tell everyone else about this. Wooyoung hopped around nearby on restless talons, eager to rush in and explore this new place.

"Please do. We will take a look at it first and invite everyone to celebrate our new seat together," Seonghwa suggested, and the scouts rushed off to visit the nearby villages and spread the word. Hongjoong disappeared from Seonghwa's side without needing to be asked, and a while later, the family was gathered at the bridge to cross it together for the first time.

Morana looked impressed by the dark exterior, standing satisfied with her raven friends. Yunho did his best to describe it to Mingi, lacking the right words to name various roofs and shapes, but Mingi could picture it still.

"Look, how much space we will have for our gardens! We can make one entirely without ghastly pines," Yeosang gasped as they crossed the gothic bridge and explored the inner courtyard.

"It's easy to defend and perhaps Eltanin placed it wisely enough this time that the walls won't crumble if it needs to leave its cave," San commented and the twins rushed ahead, peering into the empty rooms and exploring nooks and crannies to hide away in.

"I want the tower closest to Seonghwa's chamber," Hongjoong claimed, but Wooyoung started whining how he needed to be closest. They hadn't even reached the inner rooms yet, but everyone was already excited about the space they got and how gorgeous the view of the night sky would be from there. It would need furniture and a garden; the well had to be filled and the servants be assigned, but Seungyoun could come here now and take care of it at his pace. Seonghwa would gladly help.

Home at last, Seonghwa sent another heartfelt thanks to Eltanin slumbering in the earth below as the Crystal Sphere was finally restored.