"Got you!"

Astro raised his sword and blocked Nia's attack, smirking before he pushed the princess back. "Not quite," he said chuckling. The princess smirked back before running at him again, pressing the attack. Astro parried and avoided the flurry of strikes, but very much noted just how much Nia's technique and footwork had improved.

It had been about a week since their feud with Oberon had come to an end, and things had settled down a great deal. No threat of the King of Avalon looming over them, and no fae folk knocking on their front door for a fight. Things were far less chaotic, and the siblings were both more than a little thankful that things had calmed down.

That being said, things were hardly back to normal either.

Nia's mirror went off, and the princess slid to a stop and then grabbed it. "Oh, it's about time for me to head back home," she said looking up towards Astro.

The prince smiled down at her. "Of course. We can pick up again tomorrow. Tell mother and Uran I said hello," he said. He was glad that she was taking time to spend with Star and Uran. They had a lot of time to catch up, and it was clear all three were ecstatic about their family get togethers.

They had invited him to come along as well, but he had declined. He felt like it might be a bit awkward with him there. He and Uran were already on good terms, so there was no reason to insert himself into the situation anymore than needed.

She ran up and gave him a hug. "I will. Tomorrow we should practice more magic. I want to get used to syncing up with Titania… you know, if she's okay with it."

"Still not talking to you, huh?" Astro asked.

Nia rubbed the back of her head. "Sometimes. I'm not sure if what we pulled off against Oberon wore her out, or if she's just not in the mood, but she doesn't really try to speak with me for that long anymore. I mean I guess I'm glad she's not trying to take me over anymore, but…"

She was still a part of her. So even if they weren't on the best of terms, she would have liked to at least try and get along with her. "Maybe I should offer her a day to be in control or something."

"Yeah, let's not go that far," her brother said wearily.

"Are you still sore she beat you?"

"I was not in a sound state of mind…"

Nia giggled and gave him a playful punch before turning around and waving her hand, opening a portal nearby. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow," she said waving as she ran off.

He waved back as she made her way through, but the moment the portal closed, he heard something heavy touch down beside him. He let out a sigh. "Why do I get the feeling you aren't here to spend family time together?" he asked as he looked over his shoulder towards Typhon.

The Titan grunted. "A father can't just come by to visit his son?"

"Of course he can, and he's more than welcomed to. But I get the feeling that isn't why you're here right now," Astro said. "What's wrong? Is something going on back-"

"Why did you hold back?"

Astro looked at him confused. "What?"

Typhon narrowed his eyes. He'd bitten his tongue up until now because the boy had earned a break. But now that everything was starting to settle down, he intended to get answers. "When you fought Umbriel back on Avalon, you were ready. You were right there on the door, and then… you stopped."

"What are you talking about?" Astro asked.

Typhon growled. "Don't dodge the question boy. I could sense it. You were in battle mode, sinking deeper into your instincts, and then suddenly you just stopped. You managed to best him with your magic. Impressive. But had you just let go and allowed your instincts to take over, you could have beaten him and still be in fighting shape."

Astro glared. "I was losing focus. I needed to be in the right state of mind. If I hadn't then we probably would have ended up losing," he reasoned.

Typhon scoffed. "Make all the excuses you want boy. But know this. You can't suppress your instincts. Not forever. You can keep putting it off and let it blow up in your face, or you can face it now and get it over with," he said before turning around and heading off.

Astro watched as his father opened a portal and left. He would have liked to say he had no idea what he was talking about, but… When he was fighting Umbriel, that feeling of adrenaline he got. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt before.

There had always been a small part of him that enjoyed the thrill of battle, even if he tried to deny it. But lately that part was making itself known more and more. The part that didn't care about Oberon, or Nia, or anything else happening. That just cared about having the time of his life bringing down anything in front of him.

And he wasn't sure how much of that part of himself he really wanted to know…

"Here you are ma'am."

"Thank you."

Cressida smiled as the waiter set down the pastry in front of her. She ate a forkful and then savored the explosion of sweetness and flavour. Human cuisine really had come much farther than the drole and old food she was used to on Avalon. She'd had some here or there, but since leaving the island she'd decided to explore the globe and try out some of the more notable dishes.

She had remembered hearing somewhere that Italy was known for its pasta or something like that, but the sweets were also divine as well.

It really was strange how much the world had changed in the time she'd been on the island. She thought she would have to change her appearance when she arrived, but it seemed people were used to creatures other than humans walking about now. She'd gotten a few odd looks here and there, but nobody seemed alarmed or worried.

When she'd walked up to this little café and asked to be seated, they'd done so without a second thought. It was a bit odd for her to be honest.

She was used to people either reacting out of fear or respect for her family name. Or picked on or looked over by her family. But to be greeted and treated so casually, like she was anybody else… it felt nice.

"Do they honestly expect me to eat this drivel?"

Cressida frowned as she looked across the table. "You didn't have to order anything if you didn't want to, you know," she said, pouting.

Umbriel grunted as he looked over his own dessert. Human cuisine looked so… undeveloped to him. As did everything else they put their hand in. He failed to see why his sister was so obsessed with wallowing among them. "And my piece is smaller than your…" he grumbled, looking at the waiter irritated.

Cressida narrowed her eyes. "Umbriel, you promised…"

He sighed. "I won't harm the little insect."

Cressida nodded. She honestly had no idea just why her brother had chosen to come along with her. Since his loss to Titania's brother something seemed… well, off about him. He still was himself, but it had clearly affected him in some way. Like he didn't quite know what to do with himself.

She had really been hesitant about allowing him to come with her. They'd never had the best of relationships. But the very fact that he had asked her told her something was different. And… there was a very small part of her that might have been jealous of how Titania and her brother were…

Maybe she was kidding herself by even entertaining the thought they'd ever be like those two, but after everything she did Nia had forgiven her without a second thought. She figured she could give her brother just one more chance.

"Just try it. Humans make great food."

Umbriel reluctantly took a bite, and for just a moment, she saw his stoic facade break. He grunted and turned away. "It's fine…" he said bluntly. Cressida had to bite back a laugh. He really was so prideful.

"Hey… why did you decide to come with me?" Cressida suddenly asked.

Umbriel was just silent for a moment, and then leaned his chin on his hand. "I still have not the slightest idea how I lost to Typhon's spawn," he said simply. "It goes without saying that there is something special about young Titania. She's of our blood. If it was here I might have understood. But him?"

Cressida looked confused. "Uh… I mean I guess."

"Needless to say it bothers me. But, as we have sworn not to make a move against Titania and her lot, there is little I can do," he explained. "Therefore, I have chosen to seek some form of answer by repeating the steps our grandfather took."

Ah, so that was it. She remembered that her grandfather had spent millennia among the mortal world. She guessed her brother was trying to find some sort of answer by doing the same thing. "So… are you hoping to cross paths with him again?" she asked.

Umbriel bawled his fist up. "Oh, I fully intend to. Some day. But for now I shall hold. He will have more than enough trouble soon enough I'm sure," he said.

Cressida looked confused. "Wait? By who?"

Umbriel smirked. "Do you think the lesser gods will tolerate a Titan of his strength? No, at some point or another his presence will be noticed by those who would see Typhon's spawn as a threat. Things will become quite interesting I think," he said amused. And having a front row seat in the mortal realm… well, that would be something indeed.

Darkness.

There was nothing but darkness within the chamber as far as the eye could see. The only source of light was the faint glimmer of the crystals that stood around the room in a perfectly arranged circle.

The crystals were unlike most that would be found in mewni. They were an eerie black color, as if they were made by taking condensed soot and smoke. Each of them had what looked like a magical tether at their base, which all linked at the middle of the room in just the faintest of a dark glow.

Despite what little light there was, the lone cloaked figure in the room could see perfectly fine. They walked up to one of the crystals, reaching up and placing a hand on it. They ran their hand back and forth across the smooth surface. They could feel the energy radiating off of it. The power.

The life.

Yes, though it was faint, each crystal had heartbeats. A sign that they were still clinging to life. They looked closer, just barely able to make out a winged figure within the crystal. "Soon…" they muttered. "Just wait a bit longer. You'll be free soon…"

They gripped the crystal, and the smallest of cracks appeared in it. For just a brief moment, the figure's eyes seemed to light up, and they smiled.

"Soon you will be able to roam again, and this great tragedy that has befallen our home will be corrected," they said. "If history must be written, then let it be rewritten."

And if it had to be rewritten in blood, so be it...

A/N: A short little epilogue/prologue to this arc and the next!