Climbing the tunnels back up to the surface worked much quicker than finding the way down. Perhaps it was the relief that rushed their feet. Perhaps it was the fear of waking the dragon with the tunnels reforming and collapsing behind them.

Soon, Aodhán's hands sparked his magic again, and he took over from Hongjoong so the mage could rest and check on Seonghwa's condition.

Morana was glad for the ray of light that soon beamed down on them from a distance. She liked caves and tunnels, but being trapped with the dragon for so long had weighed on her mind. They crawled back out into the world; San and Yunho first to check their surroundings. A few goblins straggled around to find out why the camp was abandoned, but they were quickly slain.

After lifting Seonghwa from the depths, everyone assembled under the bleak skies. They kept Seonghwa covered, but Morana believed to hear the wind whisper his name, carrying the joyous news of his survival to the skies.

If people knew how to read the signs, anyone would realise immediately that the elf was still alive.

"Best we find some roof to hide him under," Yeosang muttered with a glance up at the billowing clouds.

"East is safest. I wouldn't dare bring him near the loud mouths of the gryphon-borns, but let's hide him in the lands of the vault. I can ensure his safety," San offered. Though Hongjoong looked ready to argue the spire was even safer and Seonghwa's glow could be obscured among all its magical output, it was also the place where an emperor would likeliest be hidden.

"Lillwen might be able to help hide him in the water, but let's wake him first," the sorcerer said instead.

On cue, Wooyoung lifted his fingers to his mouth. His whistle was sharp and bird-like enough to be brushed off as no danger by wandering orcs.

Moments later, Mulberry came rushing. He had picked up Buddy with careful claws and the two looked delighted to find the group in one piece. When Mulberry landed to shake out his wings, Buddy jumped up Mingi's side, excited with the scent of the elf he hadn't smelled in so long.

Hongjoong threw Wooyoung a red crystal of the same colour as his necklace.

"You fly ahead and find us a safe place. We follow. It's too risky to bring Seonghwa first and be alone with him. Leave Mulberry here so he can carry him."

Wooyoung never looked so serious. He clutched the gem to his chest, and all grins had fallen as he committed to his duty.

"I will have the cosiest hearth at the ready."

"Take care," Yeosang choked out when Wooyoung spread his wings. He grinned back at the dryad and at Morana.

"Don't worry. You know I am the best."

Hongjoong's scoff drowned in the flap of his wings. He sailed low so he wouldn't be visible from a distance and soon disappeared against the cloudy sky.

Mingi placed Seonghwa over Mulberry's back and they put Pebble back into her saddlebag, not trusting her to stay close and not alert enemies.

Worried, Yunho lingered with Aodhán, who was exhausted from the excitement of the day and all the running around. He pondered whether he could put the two kids on the gryphon as well, but heavy steps neared them from the collapsed earth of the orkish tunnels.

"I'll carry the pebbles," Jongho offered, and Morana peered up at him in awe. Riding along his back had to be so much fun.

With Yeosang immediately by his side to smooth mosses over his shoulders and arms, the two kids cheered. They clambered onto the golem and he didn't suffer under their weight. He simply shaped his arms so they could ride in comfortable seats and nodded a crunching neck at Hongjoong. Little fingers traced his carved symbols and rough skin as the kids were fascinated with him. Their golem was so big and sturdy, even more so than Mingi.

"We are ready."

"Then hurry," the mage called and led them through the bleak lands. His remaining power shrouded them, but Morana could tell Seonghwa's singing soul was harder to conceal. He shone brightly in these dead surroundings as if to rejuvenate them. Even unconscious, he provided to the lifeless trees and earth.

Morana admired his power. She had perceived elves as just living in this world, but the skies and the clouds seemed to warp as if to get a glance at Seonghwa. His presence made everything around them stir, including Morana.

Would they be attacked with him there? Would all that effort be for nothing as he died on the last stretch?

But orcs were notorious for their stupidity. They didn't glance at the clouds, didn't wonder why the wind picked up and the skies darkened quicker, as if to shroud their group in safety.

Morana passed out for a while, too exhausted not to relish her new comfortable sleeping spot. Jongho was a silent fellow, but he continued carrying her, not jostling her when he noticed she fell asleep. And by the time Morana woke, the healthy forests beyond the border welcomed them with the promise of safety.

Aodhán was still asleep as Morana peered down at Seonghwa's pale features. The moon shone down on them and made him glow from the inside out. The stars had never twinkled so brightly and Morana heard the song of Seonghwa's soul become one with the stars.

He needed to get inside quickly before his beacon would attract the attention of everyone nearby. As shivers chased down Morana's spine at the vision of a big full moon peering down at them like the sky's eye to witness the rebirth of its most favoured child, others would also feel the shift in the air.

But the vault was near. Hongjoong was exhausted, stumbling along Yunho's arm on lethargic legs.

Morana tried herself in patience. She wasn't good at it, but the tension among her uncles was high and she didn't want to disturb them. So she waited as the forests submerged them, immediately reaching spindly branches to the shining life of the moon elf.

Yeosang battled them back, hushing nature to wait and to keep Seonghwa's survival a secret until he recovered.

Their chase seemed never-ending.

Until it was.

The hut Hongjoong guided them to was hidden among the foliage. A cosy little home of wood, overgrown by ivy and lilacs in the first bloom of the year. It was far enough from the border that no orc would smell them, yet not exposed.

Light glimmered inside and Wooyoung rushed to meet them when he heard Mulberry near.

"I got water and made a fire," he babbled when he slung Hongjoong's other arm around his shoulders, dragging the sorcerer along to get inside.

Morana and Aodhán hopped down from Jongho to hold the door for them to bring Seonghwa inside. Mulberry had to wait in the gardens and Hongjoong suggested sending him away, since his presence here was curious. They called for Onyx instead, using him for their security. While he watched over their roof, Mingi carried Seonghwa into their warm hideout. There was barely enough space for them all, but Yeosang retracted his branches to make it work. The fire danced away while they placed Seonghwa on the wide bed, just barely dusted off from the previous owners leaving this place.

Hongjoong guzzled down some water while San leaned by Seonghwa's side with his sheathed sword in his hand.

"So, how long will this take?" Yunho asked while Buddy licked over Seonghwa's fingers, whimpering, since he didn't get petted in return. The unsettled dog returned to Aodhán's side, cuddling up to the boy.

"However long he needs. He is healthy, but he needs to wake up by himself. We should be safe here for the time being," Hongjoong replied. Staring at Seonghwa until he woke up wouldn't get them anywhere. Even when he was such a marvel to look at.

Morana always thought she was unsightly with her two halves of a whole, neither one nor the other. But if she was even half as gorgeous at Seonghwa, she had to be so pretty. And her other half was a powerful demon, after all.

"I will be our night guard!" Wooyoung chirped, ready to defend this house with his life so Seonghwa could recover.

They were delirious with their dedication to him, but Morana began to understand. With those looks, any man would be on his knees.

Jongho also made his way to the door to block off all potential intruders. Yeosang draped cloth over the windows so the moon would stop beaming right down on them to be one with Seonghwa.

"Everyone should eat and get some rest," he reminded them, and Morana hadn't realised how hungry she was. She held her miserably grumbling tummy and Yunho beamed at her before he sprang into action to plunder their bundles for their last rations. It was bread and meat and cheese again, but she wouldn't complain.

They sat halfway on top of each other before the fireplace to eat. San guarded Seonghwa, so Yeosang brought his food to the other room, conversing quietly about the safety of their elf.

Morana leaned against Mingi's shoulder, but she could tell his attention was elsewhere. Lingered with the elf so near, singing for their souls.

For once, Morana forgave Mingi. This was a huge deal for everyone.

They would have no other choice but to catch some sleep until Seonghwa stirred. The uncles offered the other side of the bed to the kids, but Morana preferred to curl up by the fire with Mingi. Aodhán was passed out by Seonghwa's side right away, clutching onto his icy fingers to will the light back into him.

Morana felt so complete with all of them there. So comfortable in their delight and hope for Seonghwa to open his eyes. Everyone she liked was here. They praised Jongho for his sacrifice and talked to him about the dragon and about that night of war. He was interested in learning what they had been doing and bowed to San as a new king, which the seraph brushed off.

Sleepy in Mingi's arm, Morana rested her eyes. The demon held her against his chest, engulfing her with his big and heated body until Morana felt back in a warm cave. Secure. Loved this time.

"Is everything fine now?" She mumbled to him and gentle fingers carded through her hair and caressed down her cheek. Mingi kissed one of her horns and snuggled tightly around her.

"I think so, my imp," he whispered back, and Morana liked hearing him call her that. She wasn't fully a demon, but to him, she was. It filled her with pride to have a belonging.

"When Seonghwa wakes up, you don't have to be sad anymore. He will be here for you."

Morana was excited about what he would be like after all that praise, but her stomach was still in knots. What would he think of her upset with him? Would he be disappointed? Would her uncles take her side?

So many worries overwhelmed her little mind. In all those years of wondering who she was, she never thought about the past returning.

Did she deserve this peaceful spot in this family? Or was there no belonging here, either?

Tormented, she listened to the song again. So Seonghwa's shining soul, already aware he was no longer lonely. It was such a lulling sound, weaving with a part inside Morana she had never been aware of. Filling her with peace.

She didn't ask Mingi any more questions. Tired from their long journey, she let the music lull her under and yes; she remembered this. When she had been very small, this song soothed her. Filled her with peace until she was no longer upset and confused and angry.

Comfortable in her warm spot, Morana slumbered for a few hours and no one disrupted their hideout. She was at ease, not dreaming and hoping things would stay like this. Where no one sighed and cried for one another. This was nice.

The scratch of talons on the wooden ground and a dull weight plummeting right between their resting bodies startled Morana awake. A yell escaped her throat when she expected an attack, but it was only Wooyoung, that fool, who came to cuddle.

Or did he?

His eyes were wide, and he had hurt a few people with his sharp claws and bony elbows on his fall. Morana shoved at a wing to sit up while everyone else also stirred, grumbling at the lack of an explanation.

Her eyes fell into the adjoining room at the same time as San shot up from the ground, having nodded off from exhaustion.

Seonghwa had sat up in his bed and amethyst eyes bedazzled with stars looked back at them.