Long Goodbyes

I awoke in a familiar room in King Eulerich’s great oak tree. I heaved Luna off my chest, which was becoming all too common lately, and stepped out of bed. My body was still sore all over from the fight the other day with Wode. But that didn't bother me because today was the day I was going home. The King’s scholars had discovered a method to send me back with the help of Granny. I could hardly contain my excitement. It had been a long journey and I was finally at the end of it. As I sat on the bed, there was a nock at the door.

“Come in.”

“How fare you today, Ferdinand?”

“Still a bit sore. How’s your shoulder?”

Marisa’s shoulder had not finished healing. Her arm was bandaged and restrained with a sling.

“It is tender, but it will heal in time,” she said.

“Thank you saving me back there. Wode was about to knock me out but you stepped in and stopped him.”

“And it is your fault that I must wear this sling! Great spirits, you are worthless. Thankfully, we no longer have to bear your worthlessness.”

“I didn’t ask you step in front of him and get stabbed. I could have handled him myself.”

“Luna, does this man speak the truth or falseness?”

Luna gave a tired reply, “He probably would’ve been fine. My Lady, do you want your last interaction to be spent bickering?”

“Luna, your services are needed no longer. You may join this soul on his trip back to his world.”

She left, slamming the door on her way out. Luna and I both gave a heavy sigh.

I walked down the stairs to the throne room and met with King Eulerich. He sat on his throne, looking as kingly as ever.

“Hoo-hoo. Welcome, Ferdinand. Still recovering from the battle with Wode?”

“Yes, your Majesty, still recovering, but I’m ready to go home.”

“Excellent. Then let us not delay. We have prepared the rainbow bridge in the grass field in front for the oak tree.”

He got up off his throne and waddled out of the room. I followed him. 

I shielded my eyes as we stepped outside. It was a bright and sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I became aware of all the elemental spirits gathered in the field. Undines, sylphs, gnomes, dwarves, and salamanders were there—even the fairy caravan had managed to come see me off. Everyone cheered when they saw me. It was quite overwhelming but I guess I deserved a bit of praise. Just a little.

In the centre of the field were the King’s scholars, hooded little spirits, and Granny, doing the last of the preparations to summon the rainbow bridge. I walked over and gave Granny a big hug.

“Are you prepared this time to go back?”

“Yes I am.”

“Good. You look ready this time. Here, you will need to drink this before stepping into the rainbow.”

She handed me a small vial with a familiar looking rainbow-coloured liquid. While they got everything ready, I said my goodbyes to everyone. The undine king and queen didn’t say much, giving me nothing more than a thank you. Their eyes told me everything I needed to know.

Lord Arvid wanted to hear all about my adventures, especially the battles. One of his attendants had to rein him in and remind him that there were others here I needed to say farewell to.

Duke Otto and Dwarf King Laurin were also present, albeit reluctantly. King Eulerich probably dragged them over. Grimnir was part of their entourage. He cawed cheerfully.

I exchanged a few words with Margrave Mordrau. He expressed his regret that we had not had more time to converse but wished me all the best. The animals from the fairy caravan were excited to see me again, but also upset that I had to leave. Their energy was infectious.

King Eulerich informed me that the rainbow bridge was ready. There were few more spirits I had to say goodbye to and then I would be back home. The excitement was growing inside me.

“Well, Ferdinand, I must apologize once again for subjecting you to this arduous journey. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you on behalf of the spirit realm. We owe you a great debt for your selfless actions.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad it’s over. Try not to unknowingly summon anyone in the future, and if you do, keep a close eye on him.”

“Hoo-hoo, I will try.”

“Luna,” I said, leaning down to shake her paw.

“Ferdinand,” she said back, shaking my hand.

“That was a hell of an adventure. Thank you for everything. I don’t know if this will be goodbye forever, but if you’re ever back on Earth, come say hello.”

“I will do what I can. However, we might not be able to converse like we do here.”

“Maybe not, but just seeing you again will be enough.”

That was everyone there. I had to drink the potion Granny had prepared and then I could go. I held the vial in my hand. My brain was telling me that there was someone I had forgotten to say goodbye to.

“Where’s Marisa?”

The doors of the great oak tree flew open and out ran Marisa. She ran as fast as she could and stopped in front of me, panting and out of breath.

“Stay here,” she said.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t belong here. I have my own life to live back on Earth”

“Take me with you then!”

“I can’t do that. You belong here. Who knows, maybe in eight hundred years you’ll find a man to marry.”

“But I do not wish to wait that long!”

Here priestly mask dropped and she was speaking to me earnestly and honestly. I gave her a kiss on the forehead and stroked her hair.

“I will always cherish the memories of our adventure together. Whenever I see a rainbow, I’ll think of you, okay?”

“O-okay,” she said through tears.

“Hey, don’t cry. You have your family and friends here. I don’t. That’s why I need to go back. But just think, if I hadn’t been so foolish, so worthless, you never would have gotten to explore as much of the world as you did. So don’t hate me too much for leaving.”

“Can you truly not stay?”

“I can’t. I told you before I have no interest in staying—I never did. And while I do care about you, I can’t marry you. Marriage is not something I want. Maybe one day, but that day isn’t today.”

“I don’t understand,” she said through tears. “You are too cruel, Ferdinand, too cruel.”

I gave her a final hug, drank the potion, and walked towards the rainbow bridge, waving my final goodbyes.

White light enveloped me as I was ripped from the world of spirits and sent back to Earth. I travelled through a white void, gathering my body, mind, and spirit. I was whole. The void receded and I was back in my world.

“Yes!”

My shouts of jubilation were immeasurable. I held my arms high.

The euphoria died down and I wondered where I had been sent. I was in a forest, but I wasn’t sure if it was the same one as when I had first crossed over. Even if it wasn’t, I didn’t care. Life had thrown me into a strange world and I emerged victorious. I had defeated an evil king, saved a dragon, fought a giant raven, and killed a frost giant. Whatever was to come next, I was ready for it.

I was no longer lost in life. Living passively was a thing of the past.
I knew there was purpose to my life. Sacrifices would have to be made.
And I was going to forge my own destiny, one day at a time.