For a moment, Aaravos is sure he must be dreaming, so sure was he that the only way he could ever see the sight of his beloved Xaadia again, would be in the realm of dreams.
But the sunlight streaming through the broken wall, and the soft noise of birdsong, and the sudden sense of magic that has returned to him, speaks to the truth of it all.
His son, his brave, talented son, has freed him.
Aaravos could weep for joy but he is so tired.
"Hold on, my love," Sarai whispers above him, her form translucent in the sunlight.
She is so beautiful, his lost wife, and so very proud of their son.
"I'll try," he rasps.
Their son is peering out the hole in the wall, squinting into the light. "I think someone's coming," he says, turning back to look at them.
"Probably the Lady," Samos says, "this is her land after all."
"Callum, honey, Sarai calls as her form shivers, "I don't think I've got much time left here."
"Mom, I-" Callum says, and Aaravos can see the sorrow in his eyes.
"I know," Sarai says, "But you're so much stronger than you think you are. I'm so proud of you and Ez."
Callum walks over to them, and hugs Sarai tight, "Thanks, Mom."
"Give Ezran my love," Sarai whispers. "Take care of your father, and yourself, you hear?"
"Yes, Mom," Callum says, wiping at his eyes. "I love you."
"I love you too," Sarai says, kissing his forehead. "Aaravos, darling?"
"Yes?" Aaravos asks.
"You're not allowed to die until your horns are as white as Ladwyr's hair, you got it?"
Aaravos snorts, then winces. "I'll do my best."
"Good," Sarai says cheerfully. "I love you."
"I love you too," Aaravos says, and his heart aches anew with the knowledge of her loss.
"Best of luck, my loves!" Sarai says, still smiling despite her tears, and vanishes.
Aaravos closes his eyes against the pain, gritting his teeth. Sarai's presence had dulled some of the pain, but now it returns with a vengeance.
He can feel Callum's hand grasp his own, squeezing tight.
The sound of voices makes him open his eyes, to find a familiar figure entering the tower.
Lady Altumanina crosses through the gap in the wall, another Startouch trailing in her wake.
"Oh my son," she says quietly, coming to kneel by Aaravos's side, pressing one hand to his chest, the other touching his cheek.
"'umi," Aaravos rasps.
"Honored Lady?" the other Startouch asks, confused, "What is going on?"
"There is much that was hidden from us, Calthion," Lady Altumanina says, "Especially about the Lost Paragon. He was not slain, but stolen away. And now he has returned at last to us."
Calthion nods, still looking confused.
"The Dragon Prince also lives," Aaravos says, coughing.
"Speak not," his mother admonishes him, "thou art injured, thou how I cannot yet guess."
"'ahmar was slain," Aaravos says, the words almost catching in his throat, "t'was my fault."
"Thou..." his mother says, seeming to struggle for words herself. "Well then, to the Nexus we must go. I hath not the skill to heal you, nor the power."
"The Nexus?" Callum asks, peering up at his grandmother.
"Yes," Lady Altumanina says, "Where all Startouch may journey to send our prayers to our gods."
She turns to look at Callum and she smiles. "It is good to meet you in person, Sihr."
"Um, likewise," Callum says, flushing.
"Now, Lady Ladwyr, wouldst thou and Sihr help me carry my son to the Nexus?" Altumanina asks.
"Of course, Honored Lady," Ladwyr says and Callum nods.
It takes them most of the day to reach the Nexus, Rayla and Samos forming a kind of forward guard, while Callum and Ladwyr help to carry Aaravos. Lady Altumanina and her apprentice walk behind them, with Zym drifting from person to person as he pleases.
It's sunset by the time the grove is in view, the ribbons swaying in a rising breeze as Aaravos settles at the lake's edge.
"Thou shouldst wade into the waters," his mother advises, "beseech the Three for Their aid, and mayhaps They will grant thee thy request."
The water is cool against his bare feet, the ribbons on the trees glowing as the sun sets behind them.
"Alab," Callum says, standing just behind him, ready to catch him if he falls.
But Aaravos has enough strength for this, he must.
"It's alright, Sihr," he murmurs, and the words seems to echo in this sacred place, where legend says the Three once gathered in council in Ages past.
"Thou shouldst dally not," Lady Altumanina says, "Step into the waters fully, my son. There is magic at work here, that even I understand not."
Aaravos takes a deep breath, closing his eyes and stepping forwards, feels magic swell around him, almost like a warm, welcoming embrace.
Aaravos opens his eyes to a starry void, knee deep in a lake surrounded by towering trees decorated with white ribbons.
At the far edge of the lake, beneath one tree, sits a woman with long silver hair and glittering golden eyes, dressed in deep purple robes. She is knitting, the soft clacking of needles barely audible.
"Welcome, Aaravos," She calls, "Long have We waited to speak with you."
Aaravos bows his head.
This is Thanna, Eldest of the Three, Mother and Creator.
From the shadows of the trees, another god steps forth, arrayed in rich blues and golds, idly spinning a distaff between their fingers. Tamas, the Story-weaver and Seer.
And last of all, Aaravos see a figure in silver armor, come to Thanna's side, carrying a spear and shield—Tolth, the Guardian and Protector.
"Far you have come indeed," Tolth speaks, and Their voice is deep, carrying to Aaravos's ears easily. "And you have not made it here by your will alone."
"No, I have not," Aaravos says, raising his head to look at his gods.
"You stand before Us, thy companion slain through thy folly, and thy heart at last returned to thee," Tamas says.
"Yes," Aaravos says, for there is no use in denying anything before gods.
"But your spirit is wounded still," Thanna says, and Her voice is soft, gentle as any mother's.
"How could You let Dark magic come into existence?!" Aaravos cries, anger and sorrow welling up like a rolling tide in his chest. "The dark magic is terrible, corrupting all it touches! Why did you not stop it? Why did you allow such harm to come to the world You created?!"
"Some things, child, are born to create others," Thanna says gently, "Without Dark magic's existence, your beloved son would not exist. Without your imprisonment and the hiding away of any mirror which may have connected to your tower, your wife might not have ever found you."
"All that pain, all that time and suffering...was so that my son could be born?" Aaravos asks, a chill touch running down his spine. "What is his destiny?! What is his fate?!"
"Time wilt tell," Tamas says, Her voice ominous.
"No!" Aaravos shouts, "Let me take it upon myself! I would spare him that pain, he is young still and deserves joy in the world untainted by sorrow!"
"And thy absence wouldst bring him sorrow still," Tamas says.
Aaravos stops, breath catching in his throat, choking him. "Tell me my son's fate, Lady of Fate, I beseech you," he rasps.
"He wilt bring light back into the world, gifting that which We did not see leave to give afore," Tamas says, smiling at him, "It is a task that will span the length of his life, and he shalt pass it on afore he ascends to join his bloodline. It is not a task without hardship, and there shalt be sorrow and loss aplenty."
"But," Thanna says, "All life bears some measure of sorrow, it is the way of nature, after all. There will be joy and peace for your son, Aaravos, fear not."
She beckons him closer, "All parents worry for their children, Aaravos, and in this I know your fear."
Aaravos cautiously steps forward until he stands at the edge of the lake.
Thanna reaches out, cradling his face in Her hands. "You are one of My children, Morning Star, born of light and given form by My hands. You will be healed, and you will return to the realm We have created, but you must face the evil that you have unleashed."
"You mean Viren," Aaravos says.
"Yes," Thanna says. "Left unchecked, his power will destroy much, and further corrupt him. Once he was a kind and devoted man, now he thinks only of destroying that which took from him all that he had devoted his life to."
Aaravos nods, "I will accept this task. I was not in my right mind when I allowed Viren to take into his keeping my 'ahmar, but that it happened at all was indeed my doing. I will accept the burden of that guilt."
The Three share a look, one that Aaravos can't even begin to decipher but seem to all come to some agreement.
"Then you shalt return," Tamas says.
"And face the evil that you have unleashed upon the world, before more damage is done," Tolth says gravely.
"It shall be done," Aaravos swears solemnly.
Thanna smiles, leaning forwards to press a kiss to his forehead.
"Then, my son, be healed."