Once they returned, there was a huge celebration. It was mostly for the people, however; Alayna and the other four were far too exhausted to do any partying. Everyone else cheered and sang songs, drinking and feasting merrily. Alayna did her best to mingle with the guests. They were celebrating her, after all. Eventually, though, she was ready to call it a night. So she gathered everyone around for a speech.

“People of Sarinia!” Alayna began. The audience cheered loudly. Once they calmed down, she continued. “I would like to thank you all for attending this night’s celebration. I am overjoyed to be in your presence once again! You are all so wonderful, welcoming me back so kindly.” She paused with a warm smile. “Though of course, my return would be impossible without the brave heroes who risked their lives to rescue me. If you would, please direct your praise towards these valiant individuals!”

Alayna gestured toward Lynn, Allen, Zack, and Charlie. The guests erupted into roaring applause, which they each accepted in their own ways. Zack ate it up, waving boisterously to the crowd and cheering along with them. Lynn laughed and clapped her hands cheerfully. Nervous in front of all those people, Charlie just sheepishly waved with a slight smile. Allen gave a simple nod to the audience, before directing his attention towards Alayna.

“It is good to have you back, Princess Alayna,” Allen said to her.

Alayna smiled at him. “Thank you, Sir Allen. It is good to be back.”

“TO PRINCESS ALAYNA, EVERYBODY!” Lynn cried out, sending the audience into one final roaring round of applause.

After the speech, Alayna dismissed the people before retreating to her bedroom to rest. As the party died down, Lynn and Allen approached Zack and Charlie.

“Well, that’s that, eh?” Zack chuckled. “What happens now?”

“Zaru still needs to be dealt with, of course,” Lynn began before letting out a light chuckle. “But this time I’ll be sending my entire army after him. Let’s see how he likes being invaded!”

Allen tilted his head. “So, will you two be returning to your homes, then?”

Zack and Charlie went quiet as they glanced at each other. “Ummm…” Charlie muttered, “about that…”

“We’re, uh,” Zack laughed awkwardly. “Kinda, maybe, sorta… From another dimension?”

Allen frowned with a sigh. “... That explains a lot, actually.”

Lynn clasped her hands together. “So what you’re saying is you need a place to stay? No problem! We have plenty of guest rooms!” 

Charlie blinked, surprised that they both accepted that fact so quickly. Perhaps interdimensional travel isn’t such a foreign subject in a world filled with magic. Nevertheless, she wasn’t about to decline the kind offer, so she nodded slowly. “That would be great, thanks.”

“Aw, heck yeah, we get to stay in the castle!” Zack excitedly hopped up in the air.

“J-Just until we’re ready to go back home though, right Zack?!” 

Zack paused and narrowed his eyes. After a moment, he sighed with a nod. “Yeah, yeah… As soon as I’m charged back up, it’s straight back to Detroit, alright?”

Charlie slowly nodded as she decided to trust Zack’s word. Once that was settled, Allen guided the two over to the guest quarters. He offered them two separate rooms, but they both agreed they’d prefer to share again, so he brought them to one that had two beds. They thanked him before immediately collapsing into the beds in exhaustion.

Charlie could feel her eyelids growing heavy. She was ready to fall asleep right then and there, but Zack’s voice brought her back to consciousness. 

“Hey, Charlie?”

“Yeah?”

Zack hesitated a moment before he replied. “I, ah… I kinda feel bad. Really bad, actually. Y’know, for the whole ‘dragging you along on some heroic quest’ thing.”

“Ah,” Charlie frowned. Even though her being here was Zack’s fault… She couldn’t bring herself to be upset with him. They had been through so much the past few days, and they had done a lot of good for Sarinia. “That’s okay, really. It all turned out okay in the end, at least, right?”

“Still!” Zack turned onto his side so that the two of them were facing each other. “I wanna make it up to you. How does… A lifetime supply of cupcakes sound?”

Charlie giggled a little and shook her head. “Just promise you’ll ask me next time you wanna go on some crazy adventure, okay?”

“Yeah, I can do that.” Zack chuckled lightly to release his tension. “Well, I’m… Glad we’re still friends after all this.” He paused, before nestling comfortably into his sheets. “Goodnight, Charlie.”

“Goodnight, Zack.” She made herself cozy as well, finally allowing herself to peacefully fall asleep.

Zack and Charlie stayed in the castle for some time, allowing Zack to make a full recovery. Not only for his magic but his torn-up wing as well. At some point, he had gotten the holes in his jacket patched up, though he never felt the need to wear it. He didn’t need to hide his demon features around his friends.

Charlie had spent lots of time in the library studying the different types of magic. Lynn would occasionally come in and attempt to teach her a thing or two, usually to very minimal results. Lynn simply explained that magic was an art that took years to perfect. Nevertheless, Charlie still enjoyed learning.

Both Zack and Charlie had also received a very hefty royal payout for their services. Lynn had thrown in a few extra coins as well, making Zack promise to use them to improve the horrendous flavor of Purple Paradise, which he begrudgingly accepted. The drink may have saved their lives, but that didn’t make it taste any better.

Despite the fun they both had in Sarinia, however… It was soon time for them to return home. Zack had made a full recovery and was ready to teleport back. Of course, Allen and Lynn came to see them off, as well as Alayna.

“Well,” Zack said as he smiled at his allies. “It’s been fun!” 

Charlie tugged at her sleeve with her gaze downturned. “I’m gonna miss you all…”

“You say that like this is a permanent goodbye!” Lynn said. “You know you’re always welcome back here, right?”

Zack nodded. “And of course, there's that little spell we discussed. Right, interdimensional penpal?" He winked at Lynn.

When Lynn returned the wink, Allen raised an eyebrow. "What? What are you talking about?" He questioned.

"Ah, don't worry about it, Sir Allen." Zack teased.

Allen rolled his eyes. "So long, Zack." He clenched his fists. He looked as though he wanted to say something more, but held back.

Zack grinned. "Ohh, c'mere, you!" He stepped forward pulling Allen into a hug. Although Allen was startled, he chuckled lightly as he returned it.

"Group hug!" Lynn called out as she grabbed Charlie and Alayna and brought them all into a joyful 5-person embrace. They all laughed and held each other for a moment before pulling away. Zack and Charlie stepped back, standing hand in hand.

Alayna nodded to them. "I await the day we'll meet again, heroes."

"Yeah, me too. Take care of Cupcake for me." Zack smiled at her, before looking at Charlie. "You ready?"

Charlie hesitated for a moment. She closed her eyes as she thought. As wonderful as this world was, she missed her normal life. However, knowing that she may one day return here brought her some comfort. When she opened her eyes, she gave Zack a firm nod. "Ready when you are."

Zack raised his free hand with his fingers held in a snapping position. He gave one last look at his new friends, his tail slightly wagging behind him. "See you later!" Following his words, he snapped, and the two of them disappeared in a puff of smoke. They had finally returned home.