This chapter doesn't feature the Calamity Trio, but does reference previous chapters.

Chapter suggestion by PikachuFanNo9 on Ao3.

June 27, 2031

Renaissance Garden, The Old Continent, Amphibia

Andrias Leviathan had lived a long life, far longer than what was necessary. There were so many times when he just wanted it all to end, but the Core would never let him. Even when the Core was destroyed and the Calamity War was over, there was still work for him to do. For over a decade he worked his hardest to undo the damage he had done to Amphibia. He was very active at first, plowing new fields and potting seeds alongside Triple B, utilizing gardening techniques Leif had taught him all those years ago.

Things were different now, however. He lost his sight and his mobility and seemed to be losing his mind, but his resolve never wavered. He was still able to direct the gardening Frobots which assist him, so that's what he did. He sat in one spot, and was so still that one could easily mistake him for a statue when he wasn't eating or leading the gardening work. Simply staying alive was difficult for Andrias, but he was finally at peace.

He suddenly heard someone approaching. His sense of hearing became much more acute after he went blind, and he knew from the way the sunlight shone on him that this was the midday check to see if he was still alive. The old him would've been offended at such a notion, but now he knew this was necessary since he probably looked a lot like a decrepit corpse at the moment.

As the footsteps got closer, he could tell that this was Venus, a young frog employed by the Paladins to ensure the upkeep of the gardens.

"Andrias?" She walked right up to him and grabbed his withered hand. "Are you… still there…?"

He was still at first. She thought he might've passed away during the might, and was very surprised when she finally heard a response.

"Yes… I'm here…"

Venus let out a small shriek, letting go of his hand in the process. Andrias' voice was even deeper and more reverberating than it once was, so her startled reaction was understandable.

Andrias couldn't help but silently chuckle a little. "You're not the only one surprised I'm still alive… Apologies for frightening you…"

"No, it's alright," she said. "It isn't the first time, after all."

"I think it might be the last time…"

Venus looked up at Andrias. He couldn't see the expression on her face, but he imagined it was one of shock.

"I can feel the end coming… I have felt this feeling hundreds of times over the past few years but somehow I know that it's for real this time, Venus…"

Venus was stressing out. She should've been prepared to handle this situation but apparently she wasn't. "Okay. I'll go contact the Paladins immediately!"

"Wait!" Venus had turned to leave but didn't get the chance to do so before Andrias stopped her. "You should stay so you know I'm actually dead… You wouldn't want to bother the Paladins with a false alarm…"

"I suppose that's true," said Venus as she turned back and sat down next to the former king. "Plus, it wouldn't hurt to have some companionship in your final moments."

Andrias smiled. "No, it wouldn't…"

Venus figured that Andrias probably didn't have the energy to talk much longer, so she should initiate the conversation. "Is there anything you'd like me to talk about?"

Andrias thought for a few seconds before replying. "Please tell me how the garden looks… It's been many years since I've seen it properly…"

And so Venus talked about Renaissance Garden. She described the hibiscuses on one side, the tulips provided by Chuck on the other, the dandelions that grew at the edges, the willow trees surrounding the garden. Andrias was content to simply listen to the positive change he had brought over the past eleven years. And as he felt his life finally slipping away, he stayed smiling. He was happy that he was dying in peace…

Afterlife Realm

Andrias knew he was well and truly dead the minute he opened his eyes and actually saw something: a bright blue sky that looked somewhat like Earth's but was more vibrant. He slowly stood up, not fully processing that he could move again until he was already standing. He wasn't old and feeble anymore! He was in his physical prime, before he had to compensate with technology.

Andrias didn't have a lot of time to process his new state of being before he heard a voice he hadn't heard in over a thousand years.

"Drias?"

What? No, it couldn't be. He turned around and saw her: Leif, the pink frog looking just how she did when he last saw her.

She smiled, looking back up at him. "I'm glad you finally opened your heart."

With that, the floodgates broke. He ran toward Leif and tackled her in a massive hug. (Marcy called this a "glomp" once, he recalled.) He held onto her so hard she probably would've been crushed if she wasn't already dead.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I should've listened to you! I should've done something!"

Andrias started sobbing profusely, a thousand years of pent up emotions all pouring out. Leif hugged him back and gave him some soft pats in an attempt to soothe him. It was a bit awkward considering how much larger he was than her, but she managed. "It's okay, Andrias."

"It's not okay!" He began pounding his fist on the ground like he did when he heard Leif's letter during the Frogvasion. "You shouldn't have waited all this time for me."

"No, Andrias. Don't say that."

"But it's true, isn't it?" Leif frowned but let Andrias continue speaking. "I wasn't a good enough friend for you and Barrel—"

"Did somebody say my name?"

Andrias looked up and saw Barrel the Brave, arms extended so he could join the hug. Andrias quickly complied.

"Barrel! I'm so sorry I banished you to the northern reaches. I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you…"

"Hey, it wasn't all bad," said Barrel, trying to reassure Andrias. "I got to be a hero, defending villages from giant beasts!

"It's true that you did some bad things," said Leif, "but so much of it was your father and the Core controlling and manipulating you. We could never hate you, Drais."

Leif and Barrel both spoke again at the same time. "We forgive you."

Andrias smiled through his tears and tightened his hug. "You guys…"

There were still a lot of things the three old friends needed to discuss, but for now they were happy to just hug the pain away.