Chapter 42

Rika stared at the screen in disbelief as the door to her carriage opened. I guess Kael was right. The mark chose the route, no matter what I chose, or the fact that there's a harem route!

The screen flickered again.

'Transport back to Earth has been chosen. Please prepare for your return.'

Wait, what?! I didn't choose that yet!

"Rika?" Alric held his hand out to her, looking to help her out of the carriage. "Are you okay?"

She nodded absentmindedly and took his hand.

"Welcome back!" Dryden grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from Alric to him, his arms wrapping around her. "Congrats." He picked her up in a bear hug and spun around.

"Whoa! Thanks." She laughed and forced a smile, her arms wrapping around his neck.

"Hey, are you okay?" Dryden whispered as he set her down. "You're looking a bit pale."

"Um..."

"She must be tired from the ritual," Alric said. "Let's have a meal in the garden and then you can rest in your room."

I wonder how long I have. There's no timer. She gripped Dryden's hand.

"Rika?" Dryden dipped down to stare into her serious eyes. "Maybe we should head inside and talk."

She nodded. "I should..." What do I even say? Her grip on his hand tightened, and she looked at the others. Alric, Ferran, Wolfe, Kael, and Celeste. Kael's eyes locked with hers, and he nodded. Does that mean he got the same message?

"Hmm... It might be cramped with all of us in there, but you're more comfortable in your room, right?" Dryden asked.

"I guess so." Better than out in the open, and Duke's there.

"Then let's talk there."

"Oh," Rika gasped as Dryden picked her up, cradling her in his arms. "I can walk, you know?" Despite her protests and faint blush on her cheeks, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I know, but you've been through a lot recently, and you're looking a bit sickly. Besides, I like carrying you around." He gave her a dazzling smile.

I'm going to miss this. Miss him. She took a deep breath.

"Why do you look like you want to cry?" Dryden whispered, hoping the others wouldn't hear him as he carried her upstairs.

"You'll find out soon enough..."

Once they got to her room, he set her on her bed, handed her Duke, and sat beside her. Rika played with Duke's ears as the others filed in.

"If this is about wanting to go home, we know, and we're going to respect your wishes," Alric assured her as he knelt down in front of her. "We'll do whatever we can." He kissed the back of her hand.

"That won't be necessary." She pulled her hand away. "But not because I'm staying!" she rushed to say before they could hope for otherwise. "The..." Rika bit her lip, struggling to say it as they all stared at her.

Dryden gripped her hand sitting on the bed, his teeth clenched tight, and a sad smile on his face. "It's okay, Rika. You can tell us."

She stared into his deep brown eyes and swallowed hard. "The magic that sent me here is going to send me back soon."

"What?!" Celeste dropped to her knees, clutching Rika's hand. "This cannot be! You haven't even had time to rest after your successes! It's not fair... You should at least relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Is it that horrible here?"

"Oh! No, no, no. It hasn't been horrible at all." Other than dealing with demons. "I would've loved to stay for a while longer, but it's out of my hands. I'm sorry." Her throat burned as she held back her tears. Dammit. I knew I got too attached to them.

"Ahem," Ferran cleared his throat, grabbing their attention, and bowed. "Thank you for everything, Saint Rika. As promised, I will work towards creating a barrier that doesn't require kidnapping someone from another world. I'm sorry for putting you in danger." He took a deep breath. "And... I'll even try to create a communication device that transcends worlds. I make no promise of success, but I will try." He fiddled with his thumbs, avoiding her gaze.

"Thank you, Ferran."

Wolfe drew his sword and knelt down in front of her, sword held standing in front of him. "Thank you, Rika, for saving Thornburg. I promise to continue to protect it to the best of my ability. And if you ever return, I will protect you with everything I have." He closed his eyes, dipping his head, a faint tremor in his hand.

Rika's heart skipped a beat. Is this a knight's oath? "Oh!" Rika gasped as Dryden pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in her neck as his arms shook.

"I wish you didn't have to go," Dryden mumbled.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. None of this is. You've only helped us, and we won't get to repay you."

"It's not necessary."

Dryden smirked. "That's so like you. Damn it all." He pulled away a few inches. "I know it's futile now, but I love you, Rika. I always will. What I wish for most is your happiness. Please don't let work consume you. Live for yourself more." He pressed a quick peck to her lips. The mark sparked, jolting him back before he could try for more. "Stupid mark," he muttered and glared at Kael.

"Hmm? Was that because of me?" Kael asked.

"Don't act like you don't know. The mark shocks others who try to kiss her on the lips."

"Does it? Didn't know that, but I can't say I mind." Kael chuckled.

A screen flickered.

'Ten minutes to return.'

Ten minutes?! Now you give me a timer? Stupid system.

Rika took a deep breath. "No fighting, please. The magic will send me back in less than ten minutes."

"Tch. That's not long enough," Dryden grumbled.

Alric bowed and kissed the back of her hand. "Goodbye, Rika. Thank you for everything. I'll work hard to keep the relations you've set up with Aeuro." He gave her a sad smile.

"Rika!" Celeste lunged at her for a hug, tears streaming down her face. "I know I was hard on you, but I'm going to miss you. You're like the best friend I never had. You even reined in the playboy in only a few weeks!"

"Hey!" Dryden grumbled, backing off under her glare. "Never mind."

"I seriously think you don't understand how amazing you are. It was no mistake that you were brought here. You were exactly who we needed."

"Thank you, Celeste." Rika patted her back, as her own tears let loose.

"Ugh, I wish I could bake you a grand cake to send with you." Celeste pulled away, rubbing her eyes. "I could've made the best thing you've ever tasted."

"I think you've done that for me already. All of your food was delicious."

"Thank you." Celeste sniffled and stepped behind Wolfe, unsure she even wanted to stay while Rika vanished.

"Oh, are you expecting a goodbye from me?" Kael sauntered up to Rika and sat beside her, opposite Dryden. "Well, I don't have to say goodbye, seeing as I'm going with her. Well, this body has an owner that will continue what we've started for our countries, but the spirit inside will change back."

They stared at him in silence. Rika gripped Dryden's hand on the bed.

"What are you talking about?" Dryden asked.

"I didn't think it was confusing. I'm not the real Kael; I'm borrowing his body."

"Who are you, then?" Alric asked.

"Someone who also got summoned here after the real Kael killed his father. So at least that wasn't me."

Silence fell again. Alric looked away, remembering Kael had mentioned it when he signed the contract.

"I suppose that was too much information for you lot. Oh well."

Glad it wasn't him, at least.

"From what I know, he deserved it, and he was going to attack Thornburg soon. If anything, Kael is the one who saved you. Remember that for when he's taken his body back."

"That's absurd." Alric frowned, trying to connect the dots.

"M-maybe not. Maybe Aeuro was trying to summon the saint before us, and they got him instead."

"Consolation prize?" Kael sighed. "Could be worse." He shrugged and turned to Rika. "It's almost time."

"Is he telling the truth?" Dryden stared into Rika's eyes.

She nodded, biting her lip as she held back her tears. "I'm sorry."

Dryden brushed her hair back behind her ears and cupped her cheeks. "Don't be sorry for anything. It's not your choice. There's nothing you could do about it."

"I wish I could stay a little longer, at least."

"Me too." Dryden nodded and bumped his forehead against hers.

Less than a minute remaining. "Goodbye... everyone." Rika glanced at the others as her tears rolled down over Dryden's hands. She looked him in the eye. "Goodbye, Dryden."

"Goodbye, Wolfie dear. I think I'll miss you the most." Kael hugged him.

A golden light crawled up both Rika and Kael's bodies.

"Goodbye, Rika." Dryden stole one last kiss. The mark sparked, stinging his lips as she vanished from his grasp. "Ha..." Dryden covered his eyes as he held back his tears. "Geez."

Celeste sat beside him on the bed and hugged his arm, pulling his head over to rest on her shoulder.

Wolfe stared at Kael's lifeless body on the floor as Ferran checked on him.

"As far as I can tell, he's just asleep," Ferran said. "Wolfe, can you help me move him to the bed?"

"Do I have to?" Wolfe grumbled and picked Kael up.

"Let's take him to his room. I think he deserves that much." Ferran led Wolfe away.

"I'm sorry," Alric muttered and left.

"I can't believe she's gone." Celeste sighed.

"Me either." Dryden wiped his tears before they could fall. "How do we recover from this?"

"We won't recover, but time will force it into the background. We'll think of her every time we see this room or the crests under our cities. Ugh." She sniffled. "We'll work to keep the place safe. That's what we do. That's what she'd want. For now, I think we can stay like this."

Dryden nodded and stared at the bed. "Wait... is something missing?"