Welcome Home

Kaito sat on an exam table. Black and purple smoke arose from his body. He flinched, but did his best not to squirm from the pain. Dark-skinned hands maneuvered around him, as if another curse was being inflicted on him, but it was the opposite.

“There, all done!” a voice announced.

Kaito had just finished his treatment of getting his amnesia curse removed. The dark elf doctor, Serenity, gladly used her blessing to remove the curse upon hearing that Kaito was a significant factor the elves were able to repel the demons.

After Kaito and Estelle defeated the lich and reunited with their colleagues, they successfully pushed out the demon invaders. With the lich general gone, the skeleton army was easily repelled, bringing peace back to Elvasia.

“I don’t feel different,” Kaito mentioned. “How do I know it worked?”

“We’d have to return to Giora to see, I guess,” Rachael responded.

“Wait, you guys are going to leave already?” Estelle complained. All the ladies were present to watch Kaito get his curse removed.

“I’m sorry, Estelle, but I have a lot of people waiting for me back at home,” Kaito reassured Estelle, letting her know they’d stay if they could.

The three left the examination room and were swiftly greeted by Gurkin’s party.

“Kaito, you’re all right, right?” Gurkin asked, worried. “No broken bones or anything?”

Kaito lifted his arm to create distance and responded, “I’m fine, Gurkin. I wasn’t hurt like that.”

Gurkin looked upon Kaito happily.

“I’m sorry to break you two up, but we gotta head to the castle,” Rachael announced. “Henry and the Elder are waiting for us.”

Heeding Rachael’s words, the group left for the castle.

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Once again, the adventurers stood facing the Elven Elder in the throneroom. Just like before, his wife sat to his right, and Estelle his left, but this time, Lessia was not present.

“I thank all you adventurers for your aid in our battle against the demons,” the Elder spoke. “Especially you, Kaito, for defeating the lich general and protecting my daughter. I will ensure you and every one of you adventurers are rewarded properly.”

The group of adventurers began celebrating both their accomplishments and their upcoming reward.

“Settle down, everyone,” Henry demanded of the group.

After everyone did so, the Elder concluded the meeting. “You are all welcome to stay as long as you’d like, so I hope you enjoy your stay.”

Despite Estelle and the Elder inviting them to stay a while, Rachael and Kaito wanted the opposite. Shortly after they received their fair share of the reward, they set their sights on Giora. Kaito wanted to see if everyone remembered him as soon as possible.

“Man, I feel so bad for leaving so abruptly,” Kaito stated.

“It can’t be helped,” Rachael reassured Kaito. “We have things to do. Don’t we prophecy girl?” she continued to tease.

“C’mon, stop that,” Kaito responded. “Sure, I’ve had my fill of being a woman, but I’m ready to be male Kaito again.”

The two walked towards Elvasia’s exit, a few steps from the elven forest.

“So when are you going to change back then?” Rachael asked as they stepped into the forest.

“As soon as we get out of the for—” Kaito stopped upon unexpectedly witnessing a different sight.

The two were immediately teleported outside of the elven forest. They were back near the destroyed village.

“Is this what Henry meant when he said the forest will mess with your directions?” Kaito deduced, surprised, while also undoing his transformation.

“I think so, but isn’t this a little too drastic?” Rachael added.

“The forest always takes the first opportunity to kick people out,” another third voice explained. “It’s kinda finicky like that.”

Kaito and Rachael turned around and were greeted by Estelle. She smiled and waved as they looked at her, bewildered.

Rachael swiftly realized an issue. “Oh, Estelle! This boy is Kaito. Wait no! This isn’t Kaito!” she panicked to form an excuse.

“Don’t worry, Rachael, I know already,” Estelle clarified.

Rachael stood there, shocked and partially embarrassed.

“Estelle, why are you here?” Kaito questioned.

“I’m coming with you two!” Estelle announced. “No way I’m missing this opportunity! When I told my parents your real identity and that you were the boy in the prophecy, they let me go openly!”

“And I’m coming too!” another fourth voice proclaimed.

The three turned to face the maker of the squeaky voice, well knowing who it would be.

“I told you! You can’t sneak away from me!” Lessia announced cockily.

“Again, Lessia!?” Estelle complained.

“Mom and Dad told me to join you, so here I am!” Lessia informed and laughed heartily.

“I didn’t sign up for babysitting…” Kaito stated.

“Sorry, Kaito…” Estelle responded.

Kaito and Rachael, now joined by Estelle and Lessia, made their way to Giora. Luckily for Rachael, Estelle had the foresight to ask her parents to allocate a carriage for them, so they didn’t need to walk. With the carriage’s help, they returned to Giora in about a day.

“See Kaito! Carriage is much better than walking!” Rachael stated, happy she didn’t have to walk.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Kaito responded.

“I can’t believe you guys walked that distance,” Estelle announced.

Now that they had arrived in Giora, it was time to see if the curse was dispelled. Kaito thought he’d have to find someone, but they found him.

“PAPA!!!” Fiona jumped on Kaito, knocking him over.

“Oh, jeez! Hi Fiona,” Kaito said on impulse. “Wait… YOU REMEMBER ME!!!”

Kaito hugged Fiona upon realization, but even that moment was short.

“Kaito!?”

Kaito slowly looked up to see who had called him.

It was Rina, but not just Rina.

Khrom, Evona, and Iori were also there. They all ran up to Kaito and joined Fiona in dog piling him. Kaito was crushed, but happily so.

“I’m sorry I disappeared on you guys,” Kaito began, tearing up.

“We’re the ones who should be sorry!” Khrom responded.

“Kaito,” said Rina, as she began tearing up with a smile. “Welcome home.”