This is the last chapter for this story. :')

*.*.*

The Portal Realm had a purplish-dark blue sky with stars moving to and fro in a sometimes slow, sometimes rapid procession. Lights often followed those who traveled throughout the realm, so these travelers wouldn't become lost in the Portal Realm.

The grassy ground was decked in the colors brown, purple, blue, green, and yellow, whose colors flowed here and there throughout the land like wildfire, even to the point where they reached the mountainous region. It was a beautiful dance the colors gave, making one feel as if they had entered a dream world.

In a way, the Portal Realm was a dream, but it was also alive, and sometimes there were peaceful moments as well as mysterious ones within the realm itself. That was just the way of it in this realm, where anything can happen, including making spirits come alive, something that didn't grow old.

As for the portals, something the Portal Realm was known for, they came in all different shapes, sizes, and patterns. Some were light portals, while others were dark portals, and some were made of rippling glass. Above all, these portals had one goal: to show events, characters, and locations. There were a few portals that showed timelines, while other portals displayed worlds between worlds, and the list goes on and on.

This was the realm Parker entered along with Aslan to guide him to this realm. This was where Parker also met up with Tobias, who was now back to his smiling self. Tobias approached the light red dragonoid, patting him on the arm.

"Congratulations! You made it here!" Tobias said, all smiles. "Now, onto business." He turned towards a grey stone basin, filled with water, telling Parker, "Where you're going next is to the Land of Talking Animals. Alindor is expecting you and we want to make sure you're needed there. He has become a bit troublesome, what with being a druid."

The gentle-hobbit looked up, noticing Parker walked away from him. Tobias looked on as the light red dragonoid approached Eliza, who was glad to see him. Tobias huffed. He knew where Parker was heading to next, unless there were detours he did not understand.

So, why was this so hard to understand?

"Let him go, Tobias," Aslan said, approaching the gentle-hobbit. "Parker has been through enough. And may I say, sending your spirits to change Parker's mind was pushing it."

"What? He needed to leave Kyrria. I knew his journey would take him back here," Tobias said, bluntly. "I was only doing what I thought was best, what I thought was right."

"Yes, but you'll see that you've unlocked other events in the worlds, not just the ones with Alindor," Aslan said, serious. He paused, telling Tobias, "There are some things that are out of your control. I should know. The Shadow Empire still reigns upon these lands. It needs to be taken care of, fast."

"And what of Qua'ra? The last time anyone saw her and her family, they migrated back to Zafna," Tobias said, also serious. "They're alive and ruling with an iron fist. Will no one stop them?"

"Tobias, finding Alindor will not be the only journey Parker has to face. He must go to Zafna and see Qua'ra. It's very important that he do this first, before meeting Alindor," Aslan said, sharply. He told Tobias, softly, "Do not be too ashamed of what is to come. Parker's family is safe. That's what's important. What will matter is how Parker and Eliza handle this separation? In time, Parker will come here, too, as a spirit."

"Then we make sure Parker is alive before his time is up," Tobias said, concerned for the light red dragonoid.

"We will. Don't worry," Aslan said, looking on at Parker and Eliza, as the two walked towards a white gazebo.

.

Parker led Eliza inside the gazebo. It was beautiful with so many red roses. He hadn't expected to see roses again. And yet, here they were in full bloom! Parker turned to his wife, leading her into a waltz where the music from the Portal Realm played around them.

"Parker, why did you come back?" Eliza asked, curtly. "You could have stayed in Kyrria, grown old, had a new family. Tobias wanted me to fetch you, to allow you to come back. Isn't it enough that we have to deal with this separation? What more does Tobias want?"

"Tobias doesn't matter right now," Parker said, serious. He added, loving Eliza more, "I love you, Eliza. I always have. That's never going to change."

"You could be with anyone you wish. Why do you always come back to me?" Eliza asked, curiously.

"Because we're mated," Parker sighed. "And no mate can be apart for very long. It'll ruin them. That's the law of the dragonoids. Nothing can change that now."

"Not even another lass?" Eliza asked, more curious than before.

Parker shook his head. "Nope. Not even then." He sighed a second time. "We'll be reunited. Don't worry, Eliza. I won't forget you."

"I love you, too, but I want you to live out your life, as promised," Eliza said. "Just don't think you don't have to date again, because you can."

"It won't be the same," Parker said, gazing into her green eyes. "It'll never be the same. I can't live without you. I never will. It'd ruin me."

"But still, you've got to live out your life. At least for now, follow what Tobias and Aslan say. Can you do that for me? Can you promise me that you'll find someone who you can spend the rest of your life with?" Eliza asked, wondering if Parker would get the hint.

It was too late for that. Parker's heart already belonged to Eliza. Parker huffed. He didn't like the things Eliza was saying. He got that she was a spirit, but he wanted to do things right for her. That's all that mattered to him.

In the end, he knew what decision he wanted to make.

"Yeah," Parker said, softly, staring directly at her. "For now, I'll start dating, but it won't be the same. It'll never be the same without you." He got her attention. "You're mine, Eliza. You always will be. That's never going to change. Not now. Not ever. You're my home. This is where I belong."

He swiftly transformed into his human-hobbit form, leaning in, and kissing Eliza on the lips in a soft, affectionate manner. They stayed like that for a couple of minutes. Her cold lips touched his warm ones, but already he felt at peace.

Eliza was his home now. He wouldn't forget her for the rest of his days. That was all that mattered to him. That was all he needed to know.

*.*.*

That's it for my Aftermath Series. :) Thanks everyone for taking time out of your busy schedules to read this fanfic until the end. It is much appreciated. :)

This was such a sweet epilogue to write. I'm glad I wrote it. :)

Okay, so this is where we're leaving Parker off, for now, until I get to the last series for my First Age Series. We're not done with the First Age Series, and we are nowhere near done with my Origin Series. We've still got a way to go before my Origin Series is done. :)

That said, we're now getting into Alindor's story, my golden house cat OC that appears in his own mini-trilogy for my Origin Series, titled Alindor, the Druid King. This mini-trilogy will tell more of Alindor's origin story, before he meets Parker Dooley. So, that's exciting news! :) And yes, more canon characters are still making their appearances in my Origin Series, since this is fanfiction, of course. :)

So, lots of exciting things heading our way. :)

Merry Christmas! :) I'll see everyone in the next story. Bye! :)

Aria Breuer