The return home was far from easy.
Salda’s body needed time to recover from the loss of her fingers; Nai could barely move her shoulder without feeling stabbing pain. Mateo, though physically less wounded, carried a strange new weight inside. Something unfamiliar. Something he couldn’t name.

The three spent a week bedridden.

During the days, Nai and Mateo would lie side by side, staring at the ceiling and whispering softly. Sometimes, Salda spoke in fever dreams, mumbling Ki formulas and names of monsters.

On the eighth day, their bodies healed but their spirits still raw from memories, Nai and Mateo made a decision: they would officially register as followers of the Church of Ezys. That would grant them access to regular missions, income, resources, and — most importantly — the freedom to travel.

The ceremony was simple, yet beautiful. The white robes of the faithful covered them like a cleansing of bloodstains.

And that night, there was celebration.

Nai’s house was decorated with living lanterns, an old tradition in Huwofin. Small sweet dishes piled high on the table. Soft music played, and even Salda — hand still bandaged — tried to dance on one leg.

Mateo laughed.
Not forced.
He actually laughed.

For a moment, he forgot the blessing. The death. The hunger. There was only that instant: he, Nai, the table full of sweets, Salda telling terrible jokes, and the warmth of a home that, for some reason, felt like his.

While everyone ate and laughed, Nai’s father approached Mateo. A well-dressed man with a kind face, holding a glass of wine and eyes shimmering with the quiet joy only fathers know.

— Mateo. Can I speak with you for a moment?

Mateo nodded. The two stepped aside, sitting on the porch bathed in moonlight.

The man took a deep breath, staring at the starry sky.

— When you first came here… I was unsure. Worried. I feared what your blessing might bring to Nai, to our home.

Mateo said nothing, waiting for the blow.

— But you changed things. You changed her. Yes, we took you in... but you taught us something too. And now... I’m proud of you.

Mateo looked at him, wide-eyed and attentive. He didn’t know what to say.

Nai’s father continued:

— I’m working with the king on a project. One that will change everything. When it’s ready, no one will have to hide anymore, or fight the way you two fight. It’ll be a calm life. A happy one. You’ll get to be kids again…

Mateo felt his chest tighten. Until that moment, he hadn’t realized.

But he was happy.
He was at peace.

Even through the pain, even while fighting... he had found something that felt like home.

And the idea that it could get even better left him... stunned.

A crooked, shy little smile escaped. He tried to hide it.

— Huh? What was that? — Nai’s father laughed, pointing. — Mateo smiling? I thought that was just a myth!

They both laughed.

Mateo would never tell anyone...

But that night, for the first time since the blessing ritual,
he slept without nightmares.