REALITY CAME BACK slowly. His senses trickled through the block first. A soft object supported his body while an itchy, yet warming, material covered him. Wherever he was, chemicals gave it the "too clean" smell that tickled some memory in the back of his mind. His mouth was empty, but it felt and tasted like he'd just eaten a container of cotton. Dull light irritated his closed eyes.

"Josh?" A voice. Familiar, but too far away to reach.

Josh lulled back into a deeper sleep. Every time he resurfaced, his awareness sharpened. A bed. He lay in a bed. The smell was so familiar because it reminded him of a hospital. He'd been in hospitals a lot. Never because he needed them, he remembered, but because he went to see his mom while she was at work.

His mom. There was something important he needed to remember about her.

Remember. So much he needed to remember.

The gradual trickle became a flood as the dam caved. Charging into aportal to another dimension. A desert and city intent on murdering him and theothers. A trap-filled temple. The reapers. The Shadow Knights.

Aharon.

Aharon's head snapping back.

Lightning. Pain.

Josh gasped, eyes flying open. His breath caught as the sudden action sent throbs through his body. He placed a hand over his chest. No cloth, but also no blood.

Pressing his lips firmly together, Josh dragged his head to the side.

He didn't recognize the room. He lay on a cot, with one other across from him and two more on the other side of the room. To his right, a closed door blocked him from everything else. On the opposite wall was a desk surrounded by shelves covered in books, vials, and containers filled with herbs.

An infirmary. And, based on the familiar silvery walls, the Sanctuary.

How had he gotten from the temple floor to the Sanctuary infirmary?

Despite the wave of pangs and aches, Josh pushed into a sitting position. He glanced around once more. He was alone. That had to be a good thing. It meant nobody else had needed the other cots.

Because they were healthy enough not to, not something worse.

He slipped his legs over the edge, moving as slowly as he could. Regardless, when he tried to stand, he flopped straight back down on the bed. New muscles he hadn't realized hurt screamed their annoyance at him.

"Ouch." He stared up at the ceiling. Once he stopped seeing double of every panel, he glared. "I feel like I just ran a race while people were throwing rocks at me. It sucks."

Josh?

Josh jumped, jarring his muscles. The ceiling watched him. Silent, because a ceiling couldn't speak.

But a certain dragon could.

He reached out for the bond. A pressure lifted from his shoulders at howclose it felt. No alternate dimension distanced them. Josh beamed.

Boomer, he said.

You're awake! Boomer pressed up against him through the bond, his presence wrapping around Josh. I've tried to talk to you so many times, but you just kept falling back to sleep. But... Even if not really there, Boomer's presence put a weight on Josh's chest. You're awake. You're okay.

Josh closed his eyes, mentally placing a hand on Boomer's forehead. He willed the image to form, seeing himself in the forest with his dragon. Soon, when his body would allow it.

Yeah, I'm okay. I'm back.

They stayed like that for a few moments, reveling in the other's presence.

Finally, Boomer asked, Do you want me to have Jodas tell the others you're awake?

The others. The mention of seeing others sparked a sense of safety and joy, but underlying it was an unease Josh had been attempting to ignore. He could only escape his worries for so long.

Yeah, but first, I want you to tell me what happened after I passed out. Is everyone... Did everyone make it back... The thought broke off before he could finish it. He refused to imagine any other alternative, but he needed to know.

Yes, Boomer said. Everyone made it back home safely.

Josh let out a deep breath and blinked away the water that had formed in his eyes. He swiped them away. Good. That's good.

I don't know exactly what happened. After you passed out, I couldn't see into the other realm. Based on what Ezraim and the others said, Xander and Moshe kept the Shadow Knights back long enough for Cale to get you, Mara, and Eli out of there. Xander followed right after, and then he got you a safe distance before having Jodas open a portal.

Josh sagged against the bed, and his muscles wept in relief as the last of the stress seeped away. Everyone was back and alive. He ran a hand through his hair, then used the heels of his palm to wipe away one last tear.

He felt like something was missing from the explanation, but it didn't matter. They were safe.

We did it, he said. We got Eli and Xander back.

Boomer sent over a mental image of licking Josh's cheek. Yes, you guys did, Boomer said. If you hadn't, I would be killing you for that risk.

Josh chuckled. But hey, it all worked out. We got that portal open.

You almost killed yourself, Boomer reminded him.

Josh paused, as if to consider, but a smile was already spreading across his face. He tilted his head, then gave a small nod. Yes, he conceded.

Yes? Boomer asked.

Josh's smile grew. Yes.

Why do you keep saying that? What does yes even mean? How does it explain anything?

Boomer hadn't finished speaking before laughter shook Josh's body, wracking it with pain, but he couldn't stop. All of them had returned home. They were all safe. He could laugh without that constant pressure on his shoulders that a monster that they couldn't defeat was about toappear.

He laughed harder despite the pain it caused. You can tell them now, he said, still smiling despite the wince that screwed shut his eyes. Let them know I'm awake.

It couldn't have been ten minutes before Hisato, Josh's parents, and Eli appeared in the infirmary room. While Hisato checked over his physical state, Josh spoke with his family. Eli stuck close to his side.

His parents couldn't have been happy with his decision, yet they didn't chide him. They instead focused on expressing their happiness that both of their sons were back.

Josh had to fight off tears yet again.

Overall, it ended up being a lot more idle chatter than he had expected. It calmed him, like he had just returned to normal life, while their mere presence offered comfort.

By the end of it, he felt like he had experienced an extra-long dinner discussion with an occasional mention of the other dimension and a physical check-up.

His family walked out first after Hisato mentioned Josh could use more rest. They promised to visit soon. Josh's eyes lingered on his mother's back, that tickle of a memory creeping through his mind. Some puzzle where he had all the pieces, almost placed it all together, but was staring at through squinted eyes that made it impossible to see right.

Hisato informed Josh he would be woken in about another hour for food,but to sleep until then. After how long he'd slept—two days, apparently—Joshdidn't think he rest anymore, but soon after Hisato left, Josh drifted off.

He awoke to the sound of the door clicking shut.

"I hope you haven't been awake this entire time. After all you've been through, you need your rest."

Josh licked the inside of his mouth, ridding it of the returned cotton-feel, and turned to the door.

Xander stood there, a steaming bowl in one hand and a cup with a bendy straw in the other.

"Xander!" Josh shoved up. He grimaced, deciding to settle for sitting upright instead of standing. Xander's words caught up with Josh, and he shook his head. "No, I just woke up."

Xander chuckled. "That's good to hear." He walked around Josh's bed,placing the cup—water, Josh now saw—on a stand beside the bed before handingJosh the bowl. Chicken broth sloshed within it.

The smell assaulted Josh's senses, and his mouth watered. How long had it been since he'd had food? And not just food, but food that wasn't a stupid date?

He didn't bother to waste the time asking about a spoon. He raised the bowl to his lips and slurped. It scalded its way down his throat. Sputtering, Josh pulled it away, spilling some on the blanket.

Xander snatched the bowl away while Josh continued to sputter. "I couldhave given you a spoon," Xander said, laughing. "I know it's been a bit, but Ithought you'd know how food works."

Josh put a hand to his neck as the coughing drew to a stop. He blinked. It had burned.

He couldn't remember the last time hot food bothered him.

"Yeah, can I..." He rubbed his neck. "Can you give me a spoon?"

He hadn't realized it before, but in the same hand Xander had carried the drink, he held a spoon. Plopping it in, he handed the broth back to Josh.

"Thanks." Josh hesitated, staring down at the bowl. "Think I'm going to let it cool first."

The amusement hadn't left Xander's upturned lips. "I don't blame you. Perhaps drink some of your water then."

Josh switched the cup with the bowl. He took a few sips of the water, watching it ripple as he drank from the straw. His thoughts drifted to the fountain under Nizar's statue. A smile widened his lips before realization hit him. He remembered what Boomer had left out.

He swallowed the water with difficulty. "Xander, Boomer told me most of what happened, but, well, either he didn't know or didn't think about it." Josh stared pointedly at his cup, afraid he'd see the answer to his question on Xander's face. "What happened to the seal?"

Even if he'd been avoiding Xander's expression, he couldn't escape the weight in the man's sigh. "The fight damaged Nizar's statue, and the head fell down to the others. A Shadow Knight was closest to it when you defeated the reaper and the barrier fell away. Perhaps Moshe and I could have combined our efforts to take it back, but Moshe had sustained a lot of damage from the battle, and I had to focus on getting everyone to safety. Especially you. We feared that the internal damage would be enough to, well..."

Xander didn't need to finish the sentence. The truth of it hung as heavy as the loss of the seal.

"I'm sorry," Josh whispered. "You shouldn't have worried about me. The seal is—"

"Stop," Xander said, his voice as unwavering as Boomer's disagreeing growl. "The seals only benefit the Shadow Knights if they have all of them. Your life was not worth one battle of a grander war."

Josh tried to grasp the truth of Xander's words, but the guilt clung to him.

Xander cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. "Anyway, if you have not guessed, I didn't only come to bring you bad news and refreshments."Josh took another drink of his water. "I figured. I mean, I appreciate it, but many others could have brought it."

"You're right. Mara offered," Xander said. If he noticed the way Josh's cheeks heated, he said nothing. "Her and Cale planned on visiting you, but I asked them to let me first."

"And why is that?"

"Because I need to tell you something I've already told them." Xander rubbed his palms across his pants and took a deep breath. A sad, almost ashamed expression crossed over his face. "To begin with, I am sorry."

Josh opened his mouth to tell him that he had nothing to be sorry for, but Xander held his hand up to silence him.

"I am the leader of the Paladins. We are a group, and we all work together, but I am still meant to be the guiding force that helps direct us in the correct direction and do everything in my power to keep us safe." As he spoke, Xander's voice grew thicker. He paused to take another deep breath.

"I am only human, still, and I make mistakes. As I've been informed, it is likely Sheol managed to influence my mind enough that I wasn't thinking straight. However, that doesn't change that my personal feelings should not have allowed me to let my guard down as much as I did."

"The influence was powerful," Josh cut in before Xander could silencehim. He may not have known too much about Xander, but he knew he seemed like agreat guy who was intent on protecting everyone he could. Seeing the guilttwisting his expression didn't set right with Josh. "I couldn't even move."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you're a very new Paladin. Yourdefenses would be very easy to overcome. And..." He winced, almostapologetically. "You're still young in the other sense, too. It would be muchharder for you to fight against the influence than for me."

Josh stared down at his water. He bit his lip. As much as he hated it, Xander had a point.

When Josh said no more, Xander smiled gently. "If it helps, I think that would be a much different story today. You have grown a lot through this experience."

That should have sparked joy in Josh, but all he could say was a small, "Thanks." It didn't feel like the struggle everyone had faced was worth his personal growth.

"I am not here, however, only to point out my failure, because that is what it was. I failed the Paladins, and I would have paid the price with my life after the Shadow Knights were done using me, and I may have cost your brother his life as well.

"That did not have to happen, though, because of the actions of you, Mara, and Cale. I don't wish you had ever gone in there, though that is more because I have heard what dangers you faced. What you should have done doesn't change what you did do.

"You saved my life. For that, you have mythanks." Xander bowed his head. His hands clenched against his legs. "I amsorry for all that you have faced to do so. I will do everything in my power tomake sure you do not have to again."

Josh stared. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. He swallowed, then took a small drink of his water. As the dryness in his mouth faded, he found his voice.

"You don't need to thank me," he said. "Eli is my brother, and you're the Paladin leader. It was only right for me to save you."

Xander rose to his feet and patted Josh's shoulder. "That is an issuewith us Paladins. We always want to do the right thing, and sometimes we forgetour actions deserve to be acknowledged. I was saved because of you three. Takemy thanks. Or..." His smile did not falter, but a mischievous gleam lit his eyes."Would you prefer I punish the foolish deed by giving you three manure duty?"

"Yeah, uh, I would rather not do that," Josh said.

"That's what I thought." With one last pat on Josh's shoulder, Xander walked around the cot and to the door. "Be sure to eat all your food. If Hisato finds out you didn't, he'll blame me."

Josh waved before Xander slipped out the door. He turned his attention to the broth. Steam still rose from it. The memory of the scald prickled his throat. Maybe he'd eat it after it cooled some more.

Rubbing a thumb along the smooth texture of his paper cup, Josh let his eyes wander over the many herbs and vials at the desk. Xander's words replayed in his mind.

Boomer?

Yeah? Boomer asked.

Josh grinned. I feel like a hero after all that, he admitted.

Boomer chuckled. Because when you've got me, you became awesome enough to be one.

I don't think I needed much help.

Boomer grunted his doubt. If thinking that helps you feel better.

Their banter continued until Mara and Cale appeared, much better than the last time he saw them. Cale was silent most of the time, while Mara ordered Josh to eat his food and filled him in on the situation.

The Sages were investigating the Shadow Knights further, trying to find a way to put an end to all of this before the Shadow Knights obtained more seals. The Paladins had reinforced the warding around the Sanctuary. Training had increased, focusing specially on learning about Dragonic history.

It didn't feel like the Sages were going to make this all go away quietly, and maybe it was that thought that refused to let Josh find peace of mind.

I feel like a hero, he'd told Boomer. So why did it feel like he was a hero who had failed?

Fun Fact: In the original form of this story, seals weren't collectable but something to break.  Fixing that for later books was a huge reason for the small edits done xD

Yeah... So they're back safe, but the seal was lost.  That's worth it, though, if they all get to stay alive.  At least, Xander thinks so.  Do you?  Also, yes, I know, a lack of trio interaction v_v I'm sorry it was breezed over so much.  You will get to see all three together again a later part, but I do also intend on having a legit original reunion between them next draft 😅

Let me know your thoughts on the chapter down below, and if you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote and comment! I also have a discord open to anyone who wants to join, and we have a section there to discuss the book :D It's in my bio if you'd like to join!