After a few more days of rest, it was time to leave the cosy hideout this secluded hut had become. It was cramped, so Jongho and Yeosang often spent time outside. By the time they packed their bags, everyone looked forward to sleeping without another's feet in their faces.

Seonghwa did his utmost to catch up with everyone. He sought moments with them alone, whispering in the shadows of the trees and embracing them when more tears quelled. He also made time for a day with his kids. They sat on his bed together and he was so genuine in his interest about what they learned and what they liked to do. Though he mentioned being glad the two grew up well, the sadness in his eyes persisted as they met like strangers.

Aodhán tried to soothe him, but Morana had to look away to gather herself.

Seonghwa missed ten important years in their development. In his eyes, their uncles did the best they could, and the children stayed strong during their period of loneliness.

He promised to make up for that lost time. A touchy topic, but it assured Morana.

He was here now, and he was so kind to them. If he didn't leave again, she could forgive him as he forgave her. Start anew.

The journey to the land of the titans didn't have to be spent in lengthy hiding across multiple kingdoms. San called the pretty winged horses to join their group and Hongjoong gathered his own little troupe consisting of him, Buddy, Jongho, Seonghwa and the two kids. He spent his morning brewing a potion to improve his energy and soon everyone was fed and ready.

Wooyoung throned on Mulberry and the rest of them on the horses. Morana was sad to say goodbye to Mingi, feeling so comfortable near him, but it wouldn't be for long.

"We will meet you there," Seonghwa promised them while he went around to kiss all of their cheeks goodbye, as if in a blessing. They held on to him with lingering touches and eyes that only saw him. Morana still found his effect scary, but she understood now he didn't make use of them.

It would take time for her to get to know him, but she wanted to learn. She felt it in their souls, how she felt it with Aodhán. They were one.

"Don't disappear on us again," Yunho demanded, but Seonghwa's glow was steady, so soft with them.

Morana didn't know a lot about her athair yet. What kind of person he was and what drove him. But she figured whatever love meant in the grand spectre of emotion she had no idea of, this was it. She witnessed it whenever they looked at each other. This lack of sorrow, these meaningful touches. That was what love had to be.

With that logic, her uncles had been right, and Seonghwa loved her too. And while she might be clumsy in showing it, Morana also wanted in on that. She wanted to love as well because her soul was at peace when her family was.

"Never again," Seonghwa promised and the group on the pegasi were assured. San led them when they took off and Wooyoung waved over his shoulder for a long time before they finally disappeared into the clouds, hidden from all enemies on the surface.

Morana sighed wistfully at the far ocean. It wasn't visible from here, but asking the nymphs for help had been another method they considered. It was discarded since some husbands didn't do well below the water for long periods of time. Though Seonghwa promised her to meet them again soon since the titans' lands bordered on their shores, Morana was impatient. She wanted to tell Lillwen she had been right, and that Seonghwa was as pleasant as she perceived him as.

Truly, a queen with a sharp mind.

"Let's go. Form a nice line and follow me. Don't let go or you will get swallowed in the aether between worlds," Hongjoong instructed. Morana took Aodhán's hand, who held onto Seonghwa, who was directly connected to the mage. Her other found the big golem and the hard rock against her fingers smoothed out to accommodate her touch. On his back, he carried Buddy and Pebble, strapped to his figure so they wouldn't cause mayhem during the trip.

He was so different from Morana, interesting in a way similar only to Yeosang, yet much more. Morana hadn't seen him smile or cry in all those days of emotional reunion. He just changed the colours of his crystals depending on his mood, so he was fun to watch if one strayed their gaze to the windows he liked to hover in.

"Have you lost mages to that place before?" He wondered at Hongjoong's comment and their sorcerer whipped out the wand he took from the treasure hold to save energy painting his portal into the air.

"Some novices, yes. That's why you shouldn't try to teleport if you aren't confident in what you do." He threw them a sinister smirk that had Aodhán duck his head between his shoulders in fear. Morana's eyes, on the other hand, sparkled.

Such an adventure! What was it like to get lost between the worlds? Was there something to look at? People much odder than anything they knew?

She and Jongho were on a roll, similarly invested, but Seonghwa appeased them with a smile.

"Let's settle, so Hongjoong can rest before you two bombard him," he suggested with his singing voice and the tranquillity that filled Morana's ever tumultuous heart was immediate. She calmed, invested in hearing his voice at harmony and seeing his smiles.

"Hongjoong knows what he is doing," Aodhán muttered. When Morana scrutinised his ashen features, she figured he was trying to soothe himself more than others.

"Of course I do," the sorcerer scoffed. He breathed a kiss to the back of Seonghwa's hand. "Don't let go, Damiana."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Seonghwa replied, and he even enchanted Hongjoong. The mighty sorcerer's throat bobbed as he turned to his portal and stepped through, drawing the rest along behind him in one line.

Morana's stomach flipped and vaulted when the sizzle of magic engulfed her. The light of the aether they crossed was blinding, so she closed her eyes, but it was over within a heart's beat.

Her new surroundings were unlike anything she had ever seen before. The trees here were massive, many times what a regular tree was supposed to be sized. No, everything was massive. The rocks, the flowers, even the insects humming past to make Aodhán squeal with fear. He hid in Seonghwa's embrace and the elf cradled him, wearing a proper garment Yeosang wove for him from his leaves and it complemented the pale elf.

"Ah, Ruins of Gods," Jongho hummed. They stood on a platform of white marble and the jagged ruins of a once spectacular construct rose around them. It looked fun to climb.

The whispers among the trees were lively. The sun set in the distance since they waited for a time Seonghwa would look strong in front of the allies he asked for help.

And said allies didn't hesitate to check out the shift in energy Hongjoong caused. Though welcome here, they were rare visitors and Morana held on to her brother when the two wobbled on their feet as the earth trembled.

The creatures living in this forest had arms and legs like Morana did, but only one eye filled the far spread of their massive heads. They were so gargantuan they had to kneel so she could see their faces. Their skin was like marble, looking indestructible, and the golden spears in their hands could slay a dragon.

These were the titans of the legends. The remaining children of the old gods.

A bearded one came forth upon recognising them. Few greeted them, but Morana guessed they were no overpopulated folk either way. Did any of them fall in the war? According to her geography, the portal took them from the east of the empire beyond its western borders. Near the orc lands. The best hideout for one like Seonghwa, concealed among legends.

"We thought you perished, elf of the stars," the massive man mumbled after getting a good squint at them. Seonghwa shone like a star, recognisable anywhere.

Though Morana's hand trembled in Aodhán's, she tried to look strong. Did the titans also have a queen? Massive and scary and able to slay a dragon?

"I regained consciousness only recently after a long slumber starting with the war. It's an honour to greet you again in this living realm, Crius," Seonghwa spoke smoothly. The titan seemed pleased with his answer and beckoned his people to spread the word among their people. The younger titans nearby were smaller, but they didn't seem to grow infinitely like the golems did.

"We saw the shift in the sky, yes. The stars' mourning brightened to joy. The nights are turning more luminous. What brings you to us, of all people?" If he picked up on the change of travelling companions, he didn't mention it. But the furrow in his brow recognised the two spooked children as fragments of Seonghwa.

Keeping his head lifted with a royal elegance he had never lost, Seonghwa settled his hand on his abdomen.

"I need a place to hide for about two cycles of the seasons. My empire yearns for a guiding hand, and I am with child. It will take time to rebuild and I hope to maintain your favour."

Pondering, the titan caressed his beard. Morana couldn't tell where it melted with his long mane. A beast with white fur, he looked as if he could snatch lightning from the skies.

His rumbling voice was like mountains shifting. The ground was seldom still in this place now that the titans wandered to take a look at their visitors.

"What is your vision?"

"My husbands will strengthen their kingdoms and improve our chances at a reunion. I request your might in chasing off the orcs for good and free the elves that help them breed. Once I am stable, I will return to my seat. I will pay whatever your price may be," Seonghwa suggested his bargain. With his hands behind his back, Hongjoong was by his side, a loyal guard. Aodhán tried to copy his pose.

Crius waved a dismissive hand.

"We don't concern ourselves with riches or prestige. It is in our interest to remove the orc brood from our sacred lands. You are a friend of the titans and make a wise bargain. We will consult. Stay until then; our hearth is yours." He lifted to his feet and Seonghwa balanced out the quaking of his steps on the earth.

"Thank you, Crius. Our other companions will arrive soon, so we will await their return."

Pleased, the titan allowed them to sit in the grass spreading across their marble structures.

"Tell us your story soon. The nymphs summarised the situation at the palace based on the information carried across the mainland. We left to fend for our own borders when you were lost."

Seonghwa's smile was understanding. If Morana remembered right, they hadn't been the ones to plan out a war and just failed at winning. The attack had been the deceit of Seonghwa's brother.

"I am most thankful for your aid back then as worse might have happened to my allies. Let us catch up during dinner. My companions have more insight than I do."

With an approving nod, the titan left and Morana's body bounced on the ground in little hops until he disappeared among the trees. When he was out of sight, she dared to take a breath, terrified to be stepped on and squashed in an instant by those massive beings.

Jongho seemed right at home here. This was a safe location where no spies or orcs would appear. The mystical hue shimmering around this place swallowed Seonghwa's glow.

They sat down together near a pillar so no one could overlook them. Hongjoong made a fire as it was getting dark, keeping Aodhán warm as he muttered to him about the spells he might need to make himself more visible during this stay.

Morana looked into the stars that twinkled back at them, full of adoration. The sight was soothing as they sat together to speak about their past journey here, waiting for the others to arrive.