Chapter 24: Never Lose Heart

I couldn't help but feel as though I had been in a situation like this not too long ago. I wake up in a nice, soft bed with no idea how I got here. But I feel so happy and content I settle back down again to resume my peaceful slumber. Only to jump to my feet when the memories of last night came pouring in like a river after a storm. But this time, the situation seemed a whole lot worse. "Yusha." I said aloud. And, ignoring the fact I was topless, ran to the door and pulled it open. Without a second to spare, I managed to stop myself from taking another step forward. Why did I stop myself? Because there was a Goblin sleeping at my feet!

"Amina?" My long-lost companion rolled over and opened her eyes. Without hesitation she lunged at me screaming "BAIN!" Next thing I know I'm on my ass (again!) with Amina clinging to me like her life depended on it. And she cried. That's it. She just cried for a while. It was a little awkward. But kinda nice to know she was so worried about me. Seemed strange she was outside my room like that and not in here with me. But then again….Maybe that was a good thing (now you're starting to use your head!)

She then leaned back and gave me one of her heart-attack inducing smiles. "I missed you." She said tenderly. Tears still pouring from her eyes. "I could tell." I responded awkwardly (wonder if Tin Woodman has a spare heart on him….) Amina jumped off me and looked me over with a curious look on her face. "Were you planning on going outside half clothed?" She asked. "Well, I was in a bit of a hurry to….SHIT!"

I jumped to my feet and grabbed Amina by the shoulders a little more tightly than I should have. "What happened last night!?" I shouted frantically. Amina seemed a little shocked by my sudden outburst, but this was an emergency! "Yusha! The Fairies! Freyja! The Uprising! What happened!? Is everyone ok!?" With very little effort, Amina pulled my hands off her shoulders and held them gently in her own. "Relax sweetie!" She answered sweetly "Everyone's fine!" She then began to pull me to the door. "C'mon! I'll show you!" But then paused and blushed a little. "But let's get some clothes on you first."

Once I was properly dressed, Amina led me out the door and down the corridors towards what I was assuming was the great hall (if memory served me correctly.) Everything seemed quiet. A little too quiet. As we continued along, I couldn't help but feel a little pessimistic about the whole thing. Yusha was dying. Freyja had arrived to restore order. And when I tried to stop her, I broke down and lost consciousness. "Are you sure everything's…." Amina turned around and hugged me. "Just trust me Bain." She said tenderly. Eventually, we reached the massive doors I had come to know and fear. The last couple of weeks had been….difficult. And it all started here. I wasn't ready for this. But I knew I had to see things through to the end. So as Amina began to push the doors open. I took a deep breath, and prepared for the worst.

There was a flurry of bright colours. An explosion of screams. And I was soon on my ass (for fucks sake!) being hugged, kissed and pawed by hundreds of Fairies, Pixies and Imps. It was absolutely insane! "It's Him! It's Him!" "Our Hero! The One-eyed swordsman!" "No dummy! He's an archer!" "Who cares! He's saved us all!" "I love you One-eye!" Amina quickly rushed in and shooed everyone away (thank fuck!) "Alright, break it up girls! Break it up!" She yelled out to the frenzied masses. "Let him through! The Queen wants to see him!" That last statement got my attention. "The Queen? Who's the new Queen?" Amina pulled me to my feet and smiled. "Come and have a look!"

The girls in front of us made a path for us to walk through. Hugging and thanking me as we walked by. Was this a dream? It had to be (I don't think so mate!) Above us, I could see the orb of light. Once again illuminating the room with a ridiculously bright glow that hurt my eyes (I guess it could be worse.) A hundred kisses later, we reached the throne. But Tiff and a dozen of her deputies were blocking our way. Tiff flashed me a grin before clearing her throat. "Today, we celebrate a momentous occasion! On this day, Villa has been liberated!" Everyone around us cheered and clapped. "First," Tiff continued, "I would like to introduce to you, our two champions." I could feel my legs starting to shake as she gestured a hand towards me. "I present to you, Bain Kolf-Skot! The one-eyed warrior!"

I turned around and waved nervously at the girls who were now screaming and swooning like I was some world-famous musician (this is so embarrassing!) Amina grabbed my arm and smiled. Somehow, her favourite obsession had become a real deal hero! I then felt someone land on my shoulder and kiss my cheek. "Ren!" My fellow adventurer giggled and winked at me. "Good to see your ok big guy!" Amina squeezed my arm a little (oh boy….) Tiff cleared her throat again before continuing. "And here, we have our second champion. A young lady many of us know and love! I present to you, Ren the Fairy!" Ren flew into the air and blew kisses as a few of her friends clapped and cheered.

"And now, for the final presentation!" Tiff announced proudly. "When the world began to change! When our beliefs were challenged! And our future was grim! She gave us hope, courage, and integrity, during such dangerous times! Her love and dedication for us all is absolute! It inspired us to unite against a powerful foe! And retake our home! She was our friend! But now, she is our Mother! Our protector! And our Queen!" The pixies behind her dispersed. And I fell to my knees when I saw her. Sitting on the throne with a massive smile on her face and tears in her eyes. "Presenting! Yusha The Righteous! First of her name! Queen of Villa!"

Yusha, now a Titania, rose from her throne and began making her way towards me. She was beautiful. She wore a simple white dress that glistened like a diamond. Her hair was no longer in a bun. It was long and wavy, flowing naturally down her back with a single white rose on the left side of her head. I was completely mesmerised with her beauty. She looked more like a virgin bride than a Queen (if this is a wedding, were getting the hell out of here!)

The new Queen came to a halt right in front of me. Her smile alone made my head spin. Without even thinking I stepped forward and stretched out my arms. Yusha did the same and we embraced one another. She was much taller than me now. But she was kind enough to bend over slightly so I wouldn't get a face full of her noticeably enlarged assets (what a sweetie!) as we held each other for what felt like an eternity. Everything around us didn't matter to me. The cheering. The "Awwws." The daggers I could feel being shot into my back by Amina and….Ren? I didn't even care if this was just a dream. If this was. I never wanted to wake up.