As an agreement was reached, the crowd parted ways. The Inops followed their Mayor back into their town. Nero, who was still out cold from the Keara's metal slamming into his head, and the girl were dragged along by the two men who had acted as guards when Remus had first met the Mayor, right here on the bridge. Remus had healed their wounded, but he could do nothing for the dead. People sobbed as they carried friends and family back into Grimsby, knowing they'd died for folly reasons.

The tribers entered to forest to make their way home, also carrying their dead with them. It made Destan sick to see a dozen souls, if not more, lost to something like this. Lys, too, had to be taken by force after he'd tried to attack the Inops one last time behind Remus' back.

It had surprised Destan how much Lys wanted this fight. His uncle had never shown that much animosity against the Inops before. But then Destan realised that it wasn't about that at all. For uncle Lys, it was all about status. With the tribe agreeing with Remus instead of him, Lys had lost face. He'd lost the trust of tribers and Chief alike. And, worst of all, he'd likely lost his position in the tribe.

It was strange, watching everyone go. Aruna was carried in the middle of the group, honoured and grieved by all. Destan had tried to be angry with Nero, but he simply couldn't. After everything that had happened... Aruna wouldn't have wanted her death to spark even more hostility. It was over. The tribe had lost the best trainer, the best person, they'd ever had, and so many more, but it was over now.

As everyone made their way home, his grandfather patted his shoulder. "You did a good job today," he said, looking down at him from under knotted eyebrows.

"Thank you... Chief," Destan responded.

A flicker of something shot through the old man's eyes, but it was gone too quickly for him to see what it was. He glanced at the girl by Destan's side.

"I think I owe you an apology," Remus muttered. When Destan didn't respond, he continued, "Losing control is the worst thing a triber can do, no matter their age. When your mistake cost my son his life, I... I found it difficult to get to terms with that. For years, I've watched you, waiting for you to make it right, but I should never have waited."

Remus sighed. "You were a child. With your mum lost in grief, I should have been there to help you make things right. I should have been there for you. If your grandmother could see what I've done to you..." He shook his head miserably. "She would've known what to do with you. I didn't. I ruined your life because of that. I'm so very sorry, my boy."

Destan hesitated. He'd spent a big part of his life watching his grandfather turn his back on him. Throughout all his childhood, he hadn't been able to depend on his closest family, and Remus was largely to blame for that.

Now that he finally apologised for it... It didn't feel right. In the wake of all the deaths he had seen today, one thing was clear as glass: life was too short to get stuck in worries about the past.

"I don't need your apologies," he said. "I still miss dad every day, but it was an accident. I was a child. You should have helped me instead of pushing me away, but even that doesn't matter now. Tell me, Chief, what's going to happen next?"

Destan's knees trembled. Before today, he'd never have dreamed of talking to his grandad, his Chief, in such a way. Still, he kept his head up. He kept his eyes on the old man in front of him, who hung his head to look at Julia.

"I can offer you one thing, and one thing only. Your sister's powers are remarkable. They show us that we have been wrong for a very long time. But..." His eyes locked on Destan's. "I told you before, banishment cannot be undone. You have committed the crimes that you were banished for. I cannot change this, no matter what you do to make up for it. I'm afraid it is simply too late."

Destan's heart deflated like a balloon, but he refused to avert his gaze. "I saved the tribe. How can that not be good enough?"

"You saved us, after causing this war. It's too late, Destan, I'm sorry. I can offer you something else, though: a home for your sister. With her powers, she belongs with us. We can take her in. Just think about it. Your mother would be very happy to see her again."

As the Chief turned away to follow his tribe into the forest, Destan couldn't stop the tears from rolling over his cheeks.

I just wanted us all together again, he thought to himself. I just wanted a family.

Julia pulled on his hand and wrapped her little arms around his belly.

When they finally let go, he kneeled down in front of Julia. He wiped the tears from his eyes and then smiled up at her.

"Listen..." His voice cracked. "You, lucky girl, get to choose where you want to go. My mum and my grandfather live in that forest, with the tribe. With that magic of yours, you're one of them now. You can live with them. How cool is that?" He smiled, hoping it didn't look as heartbroken as he felt.

He finally had her back, and now he was sending her away again.

Julia stared at him. "But... But you're not going to live there?"

He shook his head. "No. I'm not allowed."

"But I don't know anyone else in the forest," said Julia, grabbing Destan's hand once more. "I don't want to live there, if you're leaving."

"Julia, it's okay," said Destan, his voice still shaky. Even if he couldn't be a part of it, he still wanted his family to be together again. "Your family lives in the forest. They'll be good for you. Better than Nero and his parents have ever been, I promise. They'll take care of you."

But Julia still shook her head. "No, I don't want to!"

"But Julia..."

"I said no!" She dropped his hand and stepped back, looking almost as fearful as she had on the day that he first revealed himself to her.

"It's okay," he said. "I understand. You don't want to go back. Just..." He sighed, patting her head. With a glance around, he pulled a fresh buttercup out of the ground and placed it in her hair. "Just know that you're always welcome there. Whether you need a place to stay or just want to meet your family. You're always welcome."

Unlike me.