Pain was the first thing that registered on Takuya's mind, crawling its way through his brain to finally wake him. What surprised him was that the pain was in his stomach, which didn't match what he could remember of his last conscious moments. His stomach cramped again, and then there was a hand holding his in the darkness, clutching it like it was a lifeline.

"Takuya? Takuya, are you awake? Can you hear me?" The voice sounded slightly desperate, but also familiar.

Another voice joined it, and Takuya shuddered as he felt something black and viscous flow through his mind. "He's not quite there, Kouji. The sleep the healer put him in is loosing its hold."

The darkness was turning grey now, and Takuya could begin to see faint shapes floating above him. He reached upwards, only to find another hand take his.

"Come on, Takuya," said Kouji, and Takuya felt a rush of memories and feeling come back. Of course I know Kouji! The other voice must be Kouichi's.

The fuzzy blobs soon resolved themselves into the concerned faces of the twins, one holding each of his hands. "Kouji? Kouichi?" Takuya bent over and started to cough, his throat aching. A gentle hand rubbed his back slowly, pulling him to sit upright.

Kouichi returned holding a mug of water out to him. "You should drink. You haven't spoken in a while, so your throat is dry."

Takuya nodded, and tried to take the mug with shaking hands. Kouji took it from his brother and held it to Takuya's lips. "You're going to have to take our help for a little while, you've been asleep for eight days."

Takuya nodded and drank, then something occurred to him about the twins' differing appearances. "If it's been eight days, why is Kouichi clean, and you look like the fire has just happened?"

Kouji blushed. "Just hadn't got around to it yet." He looked at Kouichi. "Food?"

Takuya's stomach ached again, and he clutched at it unhappily.

Kouichi nodded. "I'll go to the kitchens, and find the healer. You should tell him the rest."

Kouji nodded, and watched Kouichi go before turning back to Takuya. "Guess your Goddess really meant it when she said she'd protect you."

Takuya nodded, then noticed the bandage on Kouji's hand. "Did I…? I'm sorry, Kouji. My magic wanted you to burn too, because it saw your light and thought you were fire gone wrong."

Kouji smiled a little. "It's okay, Takuya. I know you find controlling your magic difficult.  I hope you're okay now, you were pretty badly hurt before."

Takuya looked down at himself. "Must still be hurt if I was put in a healer's sleep." He stretched a little, and then winced as it caused pain to shoot across his chest.

Kouji noticed the movement, and looked sad. "Takuya, I'm sorry, but…" He sighed. "That thing you wear, your token. It's gone."

Takuya's hand instantly moved to where his token used to rest, then moved his hand to check for the chord round his neck. He found neither, but brushing his hand against where his token had rested brought a renewal of pain. "What… Where?"

Kouji gently moved his hand away from the sore spot before answering. "Your skin was almost on fire by the end. The cord burnt away, just like your clothes, but the token…" He shook his head. "It melted, burning you badly, and you got further hurt when they removed it because it had party fused to your skin."

Takuya placed a careful hand over where it had laid. "So it's gone?"

Kouji nodded, then moved to where Takuya could see a pile of neatly folded clothes, and held out something to him.

Takuya took it and examined it carefully. It was a near replica of his old one, but had been formed from clay which had been glazed. It was heavier than the thin beaten metal that he was used to, and was certainly not traditional. "Kouji… they're supposed to be metal because it comes from within the earth, like we did."

Kouji tilted his head. "But clay is from the earth too. And it shouldn't melt if it happens again. I would think that your Goddess would give you a little leeway on this, after all, you're her warrior, right?"

Takuya closed his eyes. "Some warrior. I got downed by the thing I'm supposed to control. How can I fight for her if I'm so weak?"

"You saved maybe the entire castle, when you alone were the only one who could escape. I'd say that's anything but weak." Kouji sighed, then brushed angrily at some of his loose hair. "I'm going to go clean up. Will you be okay by yourself?"

"Sure I will," snapped Takuya. "Who asked you to play protector for me anyway?"

Kouji glared, then scooped up half the clothes and stormed to the door, pausing to turn. "You did. You asked me to keep you safe. I don't break my promises." He turned and left before Takuya could reply.

****************************

The healer pronounced that Takuya was out of danger and that his recovery no longer needed magical aid. With Kouichi's help he could stand, but needed a staff to walk on, as he refused help from others. So it was with care he made his way to the throne room the next day, with the twins walking alongside, watching in case he fell. Upon reaching the room Takuya almost refused to go in, as many nobles were assembled, including the mage Goodwinson, who was looking interestedly at him.

Kouichi touched his arm gently. "They are here to see the king honour you. No one would dare to try to harm you."

Takuya nodded uncertainly, then started forwards again, leaning on his staff. Finally they drew up to the dais the king sat upon. The king himself looked old and tired, and Takuya realised that some of the worry must come from how near the king was to loosing his son. Takuya saw both Kouji and Kouichi kneel and offer their forearms towards the king. Takuya himself tried to bow, but started to wobble, and straightened. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I'll fall over if I bow any further."

The king smiled kindly. "You have already served the kingdom well. I think it would be cruel to expect you to hurt yourself further just to give respect to me." He nodded towards first Kouichi, then Kouji. "You may also rise, twins of the tree-folk. You show wisdom in bowing before someone who is not your king." He turned back to Takuya. "As I understand it, before you acquired the name 'Demon' you were Takuya Kanbara of Greenfields, a human with a human name. Now I return you name and freedom to you with certain conditions. For whatever reason, whether the Goddess's divine plan, or a twist of fate you have magic that men were not meant to possess. I return your name with the understanding that I shall take it back if you ever use this magic to harm my subjects, to cause misery and destruction, or to threaten. Is that understood?"

Takuya swallowed and nodded.

The king turned his attention to Kouji and Kouichi. "And what of you? You are, by your very nature, enemies to us, yet you too tried to help us. You support this boy, then once the fire is done, you aid our healers as best you can, even while tending to your friend. You have offered us help and friendship, which we have not deserved. Therefore, as of this day I am changing the law. No longer should my people fear your people for their differences. You are also to be freed as you have broken no other law of this land, save being what you are by birth." He leaned forwards. "And now I must ask, do you intend to remain here?"

Kouichi spoke. "We still wish to learn about humans, Honoured-Elbert. Takuya is our guide, and our friend. We will continue to follow him, stay where he stays, and go where he goes."

Takuya lowered his head. "Home. I want to go home. I want to see my family again, and tell them that the king himself accepts that I am no demon." He gripped his staff tighter. "As soon as I am well enough to travel, I will strike out for Greenfields. I pray to the Goddess they will take me back."

The king nodded. "Family is precious and you should make all haste to see them. Therefore I will see that you are given food and clothes for your journey, and a pony to carry you if you wish it, so you may return all the faster."

Takuya bowed his head. "Thank you, Your Majesty. May we return one day? We have friends here."

The king smiled. "I would like that. I will have a task for you when you return, something that you three alone can do. But enough of this!" He stood. "You are obviously tiring, and you have much preparation to do if you wish to leave us. I merely conclude this by saying that you have the kingdom's and my personal thanks for your deeds."

*****************

The day of the three friends' departure brought with it some sadness. Many of the castle had come to respect them in a short time, and Izumi, Tomoki and Junpei had come to give their farewells.

Takuya still leant heavily against his staff, glad that they had agreed to the king's offer of ponies. They had also received a few golds, along with a change of clothes each and long hooded travelling cloaks with which Kouichi and Kouji could hide their elfin features. Takuya also carried a sword, which the twins had declined, instead asking that the money be spent on returning their bows from whoever Mathew had likely sold them to.

Izumi clung to Junpei's arm looking tearful. "Why do you have to go? We were getting to be such good friends."

Kouichi shuffled nervously. "We're the only ones who can help Takuya, and he misses his family."

Takuya knelt stiffly, to be eyelevel with a sniffling Tomoki. "You got to see your family. Now I want to see mine. When I last saw them they were cursing the day I was born. I can't leave that between us if I can do something about it by going back."

Tomoki nodded, and hugged Takuya. "But you said you'd come back. You promise, right? You'll come back and tell me all your adventures, and tell me what you saw and who you met, right?"

Takuya hugged back. "Of course I will. You're like my second little brother."

Tomoki smiled, sniffled again, then latched onto Junpei's leg.

Junpei blushed and tried to ignore the people hanging off him. "I wish you well De… Takuya, and hope you come back, if only because my work will be harder with Tomoki attached to my leg."

Takuya nodded, and then mounted his pony. "I'll be back, count on it."

Kouji mounted up, and Kouichi began to when Izumi let out a howl and clamped herself to his arm.

"You can't go! Who else will put up with me and let me be myself?"

Junpei scowled. "I did at Midsummer, or did you forget?"

Izumi ignored him, and reached into the top of her dress, pulling out a small lace handkerchief. Kouichi blushed at the thought of where it came from. "My champion should have a token, right?" She held it out to him.

"Err…" Kouichi blushed further. "I'm not your champion, you wanted to fight your own battles remember?"

"Then take it as a friend."

Kouichi nodded slowly, and stuffed it into his belt pouch before mounting his pony.

Takuya mustered up a grin. "So we're off, see ya!" He gently prodded his ride into motion, and the twins followed on gamely behind, none of them looking back until they cleared the gate, when Takuya permitted himself to feel his sorrow at loosing more friends, if only temporarily.