Epilogue: Home

Dark clouds gathered in the afternoon sky over Bellmere village, casting cool shadows across the bustling chapel grounds. But despite the gloomy weather, Maria radiated beyond the covered sun with a luminous smile.

The breeze carried the rich aroma of fresh bread and roasted vegetables, and the sound of children’s laughter rang across the newly restored chapel grounds.

Maria looked out over the crowded yard from the front porch. Her amber eyes softened with quiet wonder as her mind drifted back to the afternoon when they returned to the province weeks ago.

The sheep ran off in a panic when Elisheba descended onto Old Bill’s farm, making the air tremble. Leo and the children sprinted through the grass as Maria jumped off the dragon to meet them. They tackled her into a breathless, sobbing group hug. She remembered Mother Martha weeping with a smile and her trembling hands framing Maria’s face as if making sure she was truly whole and real.

Her companions soon joined their side. Mother Martha turned to Kaelan and gave him and the others a quiet, thankful nod, which they warmly reciprocated.

Not long after, the group stood before the blackened foundations of the old chapel. The children and Maria's companions stared at the ruins with uncertain eyes. Even she herself had wondered how they could ever rebuild something from the ashes. But Maria soon rolled up her tunic sleeves, picked charred wooden pieces and began clearing the dirt with her own two hands.

She didn't protest when all the others began to clean up the debris as well. She simply smiled as they worked together into the night. 

A few days later, the Crown and Orthodoxy’s promised supply convoys arrived. Long rows of wagons filled with oak timber, stone, roof tiles, and tools rolled into the village from neighboring towns, fully funded.

Old Bill and his family were the first to arrive with hammers and saws in hand. His son, using his restored arm strong and true, worked tirelessly side by side with the others. Soon, other villagers arrived, lending a hand, providing fresh fruit and refreshing water. And over the weeks that followed, even more help poured in: familiar faces that Maria had helped along her journey, travelers who heard word of the “Saint's” return to her humble home, and adventurers who trekked from the nearest guildhall.

Now, the chapel and orphanage stood completely restored. It was far sturdier and warmer than ever before, and with the bountiful faces and laughter that filled its grounds, it was a sight to behold against the rolling green hills.

Mother Martha stepped onto the porch, joining Maria’s side. "Father Goren would have loved this," she said. “He always said this chapel wasn't made of just stone and wood, but of the people who found peace inside it.” She turned to Maria with a smile. “If he were here today... he'd be so proud of you.”

Maria nodded and brightly smiled back while Mother Martha patted down her veil.

***

Maria walked down the newly laid stone trail. She made her rounds through the bustling yard to ensure everyone was fed and happy.

As she approached the front gates, she caught sight of Thomas standing behind a small wooden stall that held a painted wooden sign that read: The Mythic Saint’s Personal Blessing—Only Five Copper Coins!

“Welcome, dear patron—” He froze as Maria loomed over the stall.

"Thomas... are you charging guests for my blessing?"

"Charging? Me? Never!" he said, flashing a nervous grin. “It's merely a... voluntary contribution toward the Chapel's daily expenses!”

Maria remained silent. But her deceptively gentle smile made him fidget and stutter.

When Maria quietly stepped away, he sighed in relief. But it was short lived. He quickly tensed once more when Maria returned not long after. She planted a platter of warm pastries onto the wooden stall, making it shake along with Thomas. 

“Your true intent was to hand these out for free, right?”

“E-Exactly!” The ex-court mage adjusted his fading blue coat. “Free pastries!” He called out weakly. Maria walked away with a grin.

She passed the smiling faces of villagers and new and old friends who chatted and laughed under the cloudy sky. As Maria rounded toward the back of the courtyard, a wooden clank echoed through the cooling air.

Kaelan stood firm, holding a practice sword. Leo lunged forward, swinging his own wooden blade, but he was still no match. A few of the children watched from the side with “oohs” and “ahhs.”

Kaelan smirked. “Are you satisfied now with your long-awaited rematch?”

Leo popped right back up, dusting himself off. He spun around toward the group of children who chuckled at his defeat.

“I let him win! He kept Sister Maria safe on the road, so I gave him a break today!”

Maria giggled from a distance before continuing on.

Far off to the side, another chaotic battle unfolded. A swarm of cheering children surrounded Celeste.

"Why am I the Demon Lord?!" Celeste cried out. She held a wooden pan lid as a shield while the children clashed against her with small branches. "I'm supposed to be the Hero!"

Elisheba stood tall in her human form, just at the foot of the charging children. Her sharp golden eyes looked over the grassy courtyard like a general commanding over a battlefield.

"Form the vanguard!" She pointed a finger at Celeste. "Fell the mighty beast, brave warriors!”

Maria cheered from the side for the children and Celeste.

Celeste glanced at her beneath the endless onslaught. “Maria, which side are you on!?”

Maria laughed. “Both!”

Warmth and laughter continued to unfold throughout the chapel grounds, but a chilly gust broke through. Maria held onto her veil as the dark clouds rumbled above. They soon gave way to a sudden downpour.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Villagers and children scrambled for shelter, grabbing food baskets and ducking under porch cover and beneath large trees. The clattering rain filled a growing silence as everyone glanced at each other with dejected expressions. The joyful chapel reopening celebration was about to be ruined by a dismal storm; there was nothing to be done against the power of nature.

Yet Maria remained standing right out in the open courtyard under the falling rain. Her tunic drenched, and her veil clung down hard over her honey-colored hair. But she didn’t move from the spot; she only tilted her head toward the storming sky, holding a serene smile.

Kaelan stepped out from under the porch and walked up beside her.

“You’re getting wet,” she said.

Kaelan didn’t state the obvious; Maria understood from his narrowed gaze. She lifted her arms and chuckled. Her tunic sleeves hung, soaked and heavy. But Maria’s amber eyes sparkled with quiet joy as she held Kaelan’s gaze. 

"I wanted to show everyone a new little spell I dreamed about a few nights ago."

"Maria... the last time you learned a spell from a dream, you saved the entire Holy Capital."

She giggled. “But I couldn't have done it without all the help.”

Everyone watched with curious eyes as she stepped into the center of the yard and clasped her hands together.

There was no terrifying pressure, no blinding mythic flash. Instead, a soft, warm golden ripple rose from her like a gentle breath. It drifted through the pouring rain until dissipating into the storming sky.

The clattering raindrops faded into a trickle, before only leaving behind glittering puddles. Soon after, the dark storm clouds parted, revealing a vast blue sky. Afternoon sunlight radiated through and painted a breathtaking double rainbow directly over the chapel’s humble spire.

Everyone present stepped out into the warmth with wide eyes and mouths agape, staring up at the magnificent sky in wonder before their gazes landed down to Maria. She simply tilted her head.

Kaelan stared blankly at her. “A little spell?”

“All thanks to the gods!” She smiled, and Kaelan couldn’t help but smile along.

Thomas, Celeste, Elisheba, and Mother Martha laughed from the side as the children almost toppled Kaelan over while they rushed around Maria with sparkling eyes. Their voices rang out with joy.

“That was amazing!”

“Sister Maria is the greatest!”

“Can you do it again?”

Maria tried to calm the rowdy children. Oh, how she missed doing so.

There were no mythic burdens left to carry. Just Sister Maria, surrounded by those she loved, in a place where her light had always belonged.

She was home.