Reyn groaned as he reclined on the steps. A small noise was heard as his red hair kissed the surface of the porch's wood. Sharla tried her best not to match his frustrations, but the two had been standing at Vanea's door for a good while now. Oka had lost her patience, and returned to Riki and her family. She tapped her foot softly and sighed, "She is most likely not home."

"You figure?" Reyn told with a soft amount of his joking tone. "We only knocked on the door a few times and have watched the shadows move for about 20 minutes or so."

"We should probably go tell Shulk. I don't really know her routine." Sharla admitted. She felt her cheeks darken with blood, crossing her arms. "I should really honestly get better about talking to everyone. I am going to be a doctor someday…"

The redheaded man noticed her comments, and his shoulders relaxed a tad. He gazed up at her sadly, and pouted. "Sharla…"

Unlike Shulk, who had become more open and social by the day, Sharla had almost locked herself away from the world. Unless she were visiting the old party, or her brother, she often just studied and locked herself away in Reyn's abode. It was an unprecedented transformation in her, despite knowing she was good enough to save the world she still felt the pain of loss and the complications of change. The world was new and frustrating to understand, and new things were coming up all the time. Often the medic saw more benefit in studying nearby then traveling abroad, or even going to socialize.

Despite this, Reyn had been a good motivator. He often encouraged her to go relax, and have fun. He stood up, stretching a bit and started to approach her. But something caught his eye.

He hummed as he noticed a white blur and the clacking of heels on cobblestone road. Sharla's face morphed from a solemn frown to a wide grin. "I know who that is!"

The two watched as Melia entered the scene, but it was almost as if she was hyper-focused on a sacred task. Her eyes didn't even sway in their direction, and she was hustling towards Shulk's abode.

"Perhaps we should see what that was all about?" Sharla suggested. Reyn gave a quick nod, clenching his fist with determination. "I hope Melly's not in trouble!"

The high entia princess burst into Shulk's room, in a very undainty fashion. She was clasping her chest, begging for air as Fiora wielded her dual-knives, scowling for only a half second before realizing her friend had come to visit.

"Melia!" Fiora exclaimed, returning her weapons with a bright blush of embarrassment on her face, "Sorry I thought you were a bandit!"

Melia shook her head. "Forgive me. I acquired some news that was impossibly exciting, so I let myself go there for just a moment. I did not mean to intrude."

The leader of their previous party smoothly walked in and chuckled, "You're always more than welcome to burst in here Melia. It's good to see you, but this is rather unexpected."

"I understand. I should have given you all a more formal warning." She sighed, bowing her silvery head.

Shulk came over and pat her on the shoulder, "You're our friend Melia. Come on, let's sit down. We can talk things over."

Just as he was beginning to guide the ruler over to their seating area, Reyn and Sharla appeared in the doorway.

"Is everything alright?" Reyn mentioned.

Sharla gazed at Melia, then came over and inspected her. Melia chuckled, holding her staff protectively against her body. It was a bit odd, Sharla noted…Melia often was more than welcome to her routine health inspections. The medic cocked an eyebrow. Melia gazed down for a brief moment, and cleared her throat, "Well then, if that's everyone…please. Let us discuss the matter at hand."

As Shulk led the princess, Sharla nudged Reyn with her elbow, "Melia is acting aloof."

"I don't see anything wrong with her. She didn't look hurt."

"That's what I am talking about!" She muttered, trying to make sure everyone was away from earshot. Fiora busily started to prepare a small feast and tea for everyone in the kitchen nearby.

"Look girls are funny. Maybe she's like…" Reyn tried not to explicitely say anything to offend his crush, but found himself sweating slightly, "Having like girl problems! You know, I'm not sure how entia work are you?"

"No…" Sharla told sadly, looking down, "It would have been an honor to learn even more about them. You're right. Perhaps her body is just adjusting a bit to the fluctuating ether in the world." She held her head and sighed, "We should go hear her out."

The conversation was a bit dull to start out with. Despite being gone for the last month, Melia droned on about her palace, the new city she was building for entia refugees and her policies, politics and more. While Shulk and Sharla seemed rather interested, Reyn and Fiora grazed on the finger sandwiches while silently groaning on when the topics continued.

"But I am going on too much, aren't I?" Melia noted the time and giggled softly, "I have a surprise for you all. Something very, very exciting. Well two surprises." She held her staff tightly, and bit her lip with temptation.

"Well go on, you don't have to hold off."

"Well I do sort of on one because…"

There was a soft knock at the door. She bowed her head to Shulk and Fiora, "I will let you all answer that."

Shulk got up, a mix of confusion and anticipation in his face. Fiora held his hand gently, nuzzling on his shoulder. "Sharla, Reyn…"

The two in question also stood up, and the four proceeded to the entrance.

Shulk nervously turned the handle of the door. When he opened the door, Fiora gasped and felt her eyes watering with joy. Reyn's jaw was on the floor, and Sharla felt her heart stop.

Kallian stood before them, looking as alive and healthy as the day they all first encountered him. However, his hair had become a dark shade of black, and he sported a few swatches of facial hair. His elegant white wings also were nowhere to be found. He stood in a very simple commoner's outfit, looking down at the four of them with a warm smile on his face.

Fiora couldn't hold her emotion anymore and ran over, hugging his abdomen tightly. Kallian chuckled softly, and pat her head while returning the embrace. "There, there. It's good to see you too."

"Kallian…" Sharla muttered softly, wiping budding tears from her eyes. "How in the world are you even alive?"

"This is incredible!" Shulk burst aloud, "You're actually back! Like here, in front of us!"

Reyn was still at a loss for words, but nodded, "Yeah man! This is like…a miracle!"

Kallian hummed in response, "I am just as confused as you. When I sacrificed myself to ensure your safety, I was truly dead. Something strange happened. As I felt myself leave this world, a strong yet elegant voice led me back. I was as naked as the day I hatched, and far from civilization but I was brought back."

"An elegant voice…" Shulk pondered for a moment, the gears turning in his head. "That must have been Alvis! He…!" His face combatted pain and joy, "He must have brought you back to us."

"Alvis?" Kallian's eyes widened with surprise, Fiora let go. She sniffed and explained, "Alvis…he was the very thing that created the first world to begin with."

"Yeah. It was weird. Something to do with a big supercomputer exploding and our worlds were the result of that and…" Reyn tried to pitch in, but only noticed the older brother becoming more and more confused. "I'll let Shulk handle explaining all of that to you."

Melia came in gently, and Kallian embraced her gracefully. He gave her a small kiss on the forehead, and opened his palms, "Please, tell me everything."

The afternoon melded into evening, the sun beginning to set on the horizon. Each of them had ample time to explain what they had been doing for the last few months.

"It was very difficult to contain my excitement for this." She admitted, as they all returned to watch the ocean waves caress the beach on Shulk's porch. Kallian was more than happy about their growth and maturity, absorbing the information like a sponge.

"What's Dunban up to?" Fiora wondered why her brother had not arrived yet.

Melia, at hearing his name, wildly tried to hide her blush as she sipped from a cup of tea, "He wanted to stay at the city, and protect it for me while I was away. I tried to tell him that's what we have royal guards for, but he insisted."

"Where did your wings go Kallian?" Sharla gently asked, as the scene became silent once more.

He looked to the sky and shook his head, "I am not quite sure."

"I have a potential theory." Melia gently told, "Because we have no need for gods, and no need for the control of the Telethia, the genetic information that gave us our hair color and wings has left his body. So he is still my brother, and still here but his body has changed for the new world."

"That's amazing!" Shulk had a glimmer to his eyes.

"But…if Kallian is alive…" Fiora hummed, "Does that mean that Lorithia, Egil and Mumkar…"

"And Gadolt." Sharla told. Reyn felt his entire body freeze at her tone, his heart swelling with despair and complicated emotions.

Melia nodded, "It's a very strong possibility. That's why I wanted to come talk to Vanea."

"Oh! She's out of town for the moment. She should be back the day after tomorrow." Shulk mentioned.

Reyn grumbled, between frustration and his emerging envy once more, "So that's why she didn't answer the door. You forgot to mention that when you said, hey go talk to her about traveling!"

Shulk laughed softly, rubbing his hair. "Sorry…must have slipped my mind!"

Reyn huffed, shaking a fist at him, "I'm gonna make more than just your big brain slip!"

Melia giggled at their antics, "Some things never change." She began to yawn softly, but then noticed a certain fuzzy creature approach the porch.

"You have big big meeting and not tell Riki?" Riki growled playfully, "For shame Melly!"

"Oh Riki!" She leaned down and hugged him tightly. The Nopon laughed softly, and sniffed, "Melly smell funny!"

"My apologies." She cuddled with him for a moment. Riki looked up to Kallian and gasped, "Melly brother! Back from dead!"

"It is good to see you sir Riki." Kallian bowed gracefully, only to get a face full of bouncing Nopon hugs. As Riki began to rant on about his own children (and worry about Kallians overall health), Melia felt herself dozing gently. Shulk gave her a gentle shake, and she stood up. "I hope you do not mind if I stay here for the evening."

"Is Dunban going to be okay?" Fiora asked gently.

"I told him it might be a few days until my return. He was very accommodating."

Shulk gazed around expectantly. Melia cocked an eyebrow, "What are you looking for Shulk?"

"You said you had another surprise for us? What is it? Did you find any salvageable mechon? Any of those airships you guys used to fight in the war?"

Melia gazed at her brother, who only gave a firm nod as he pried the Nopon from his body. Sensing the serious tone, Riki watched as Melia gently silenced Shulk by grabbing his wrist. She smoothly guided his hand towards her abdomen, and Fiora gave a gentle, knowing gasp.

"Are…are you hungry?" Shulk told very softly, oblivious. Nothing really felt different.

The entia leader only mustered a very soft laugh, closing her eyes. "Naïve as ever…Shulk. Dunban and I…we're expecting."