Chapter Eight – "The Kingdoms of the North"

The honey of Insectia was rich with sugar and nutrients. As Adam and his entourage had a formal dinner in the main dining hall of Insectia, the honey was served as the main course. Along with Lord Buzz-Off were the Queens of the Insectoid Bees, Beetles, Ants, Moths, and the leaders of their protectorate races, the Kex and the Tychons. It was a nice dinner. Formal, but nice.

Until, three minutes after Addison finished his second helping of honey, the young boy went running out of the room on a sugar rush. Teela, in a flush of embarrassment and anger, went after him.

"Sorry about that," Adam attempted.

"Not a problem," said Androna, Queen Bee. "We have forgotten just what effect our honey can have on your children."

Adam smiled and then turned to Buzz-Off. "How is the homecoming going?"

"Very nicely, Adam. It is good to be home. A sentiment all of my people share, I'm sure," Buzz-Off replied.

"Oh yes! Definitely!" agreed the now teenaged Tyke.

Adam nodded. "I know the feeling, trust me."

"What was Primus like?" asked Androna.

"Beautiful, your majesty. In some places, the country was wide you could see flatly for miles. And the sunrise at Leviton was unlike any other. I've been two many other worlds in my career and there was nothing like that."

"Sounds like you enjoyed your time there," Buzz-Off added.

"I did, yes. It was a great experience. But I longed for home. Had I known what was happening here, I would have rushed back."

"We certainly could have used you skills and powers here," grunted Lord Borax of the Insectoid-Beetles.

"That is enough, Borax," Androna chided.

"Yes. It is," Borax snarled, getting up. He marched out from behind the table made right for the door.

"Please, accept our apologies on his behalf," said Lord Sosoran of the Insectoid Moths. "Borax feelings are his own. The rest of us do not share his sentiment."

Adam sighed. "Thank you. It's . . . not the first time I've heard."

A little later, Adam and Buzz-Off walked a road that circled Insectia. "I'm sorry about that," Buzz-Off told him.

"Oh, it's all right. I've heard some complaints before, like I said," Adam replied. "I appreciate your hospitality. We've fallen behind in our travels after what happened at Avion. Flying up to Moriana will get us back on schedule."

"Hey, you saved my life and the entire world just how many times? I'm fairly certain we owe you dozens of times over."

Adora stood at the edge of the boat, the smell of seawater in her nose. Oh, how she loved it. It brought back so many memories . . . and with them, a sense of desire. She could not even look at the ocean and not think of Admiral SeaHawk. Her love. Five years, it had been, since she had last seen him.

Far too long, she thought. But she had conquered these demons during her time in the Crystal Castle. Her yearning to see the man she loved was on slow burn, but it was very easily stirred up.

"Your highness, we have arrived," said Captain Faulk.

"Thank you. Mermista?"

The Queen of Salineas nodded and leapt into the air. In mid-air, energy and light glowed around her. As she crashed into the water, her legs joined and became a tail. In the water, she was in her element. Adora pulled on her scuba gear and followed her.

Together, the two of them went deep into the water. Far below was a glowing light. It was the city of the Aquatica, the home of the Aquaticans of Eternia. As the pair went deeper and deeper into the Harmony Sea, the green-skinned Aquaticans began to float up towards them.

Leading them was Princess Nami, heir to the throne of Aquatica.

"Greetings Queen Adora and Mermista! Welcome to Aquatica!"

"Thank you!" Mermista spoke for Adora. "It is a pleasure to be among those that are like myself."

"Yes, I sense you are quite like us indeed," Nami said.

The group went down into the water and landed on a large stone platform. Adora took in the sight, as she had never seen Aquatica before. It was built like a massive coral reef. A massive tower of branch-like coral sat before the group. This was where King Shalandor stood and reigned over his kingdom.

"Good day, Queen Adora!" greeted King Shalandor.

"Good day, your highness. I have come to you in peace."

Shalandor nodded. "Of course, of course. Our relations with Eternos have always been peaceful ever since the incident with Mer-Man and his Mer-People."

"A relationship I hope will continue on. You read over the peace treaty we sent you?"

"Of course, yes. It shall be signed," Shalandor replied. "We maintained ourselves against the Horde and have only grown stronger from their failed attacks. With our two vast powers combined, we can only be mightier."

Adora bowed a little. "I thank you."

"Ah, and we have a gift for you," Shalandor said. He waved to a sea-shell-like door. It shifted aside and four guards came floating through, holding none other than Octavia. She struggled against the guards, but was too shackled to be much of a threat.

"Octavia," greeted Mermista. "It's been too long, dear."

Adora grinned. "Another Hordesmen taken into custody. Thank you, King Shalandor."

Two Laser Bolts landed first, followed by a Talon Fighter that had been taken to Insectia. As they landed, the Ice Lord, Snowflake, King Moriana, Princess Janice, and Prince Esker greeted the passengers. King Adam strode out from the Talon Fighter while Clamp Champ and Rio-Blast flanked him.

"Welcome back to Moriana, King Adam," said Moriana, first king and founder of the country.

"Many thanks," Adam responded. "I had the chance to take a good look at your country. It seems like you've held up nicely against the Horde."

"Their Horde Troopers had difficulty working in these cold conditions. With the help of the Ice Lord here, we were able to completely push back the Horde."

"Our alliance was fruitful," agreed Ice Lord.

Adam grinned. "So, I hope, will be ours," he said and pulled out the peace treaty.

A week passed. Adora had met with Counselor Ari of the Golden Isles after her meeting with Nami and Shalandor in Aquatic. In the meantime, Adam – after successfully getting Moriana and Ice Lord to get to sign the treaty – was on his way home. His entourage made a stop with the Cave and Tree Peoples, who had both been able to unify in the face of Horde oppression. While this unity had failed, their recovery was benefited by their new peace. Adam was able to talk them into signing the peace treaty.

Further arrangements of the treaty had been scheduled for the middle of December, in which those that signed would meet at Eternos. At this point, the royalty of Eternos had visited with most of the major powers in the Light Hemisphere. A few emissaries were actually sent – like Ahberron, for one – to Eternos as opposed to them going there.

Tahrin was the final country on the list.

The problems facing what was once the most technologically advanced country on Eternos were rather hard. Besides Eternos, Tahrin had taken the bulk of the Horde's damages. Prime Minister Pangas signed the peace treaty and Adam's team back at Eternos was doing everything they could to help their allies out.

With Tahrin dealt with, Adam and Teela turned their attention back west. Back . . . to Eternos.

As the sun rose on the first day of the Harvest Festival, the entourage was well on its way to Eternos. The four Attack Tracks, two large Supply Transports, the pair of Laser Bolts, and the Dragon Walker neared ever closer to the Palace and City of Eternos. Adam's home.

They came to it now and could see it from afar. Adam immediately halted the convoy and walked out. They came from the northwest, which was filled with gently rolling hills. Atop one of the larger ones, Adam stepped out of the Attack Track. Teela was at his side.

In the light of a new morning, there stood the restored Eternos. The walls were rebuilt, using stones historic and new. The towers and buildings were back where they belonged. Flags and banners waved in the sunlight. The Palace stood as it once did – grand and large.

Adam could feel a few tears slipping out of his eyes. He looked over at Teela, who had one or two tears dripping across her cheeks. They smiled and he brought her close.

"Its back," said Teela.

"Well, I'll be," Rio-Blast stated.

"It looks better than ever!" Orko shouted.

"You got that right," Songster added.

"I never thought I'd see it like that again," Woodsman said.

Adam turned around and found everyone looking at the glory that was once again Eternos. "Ladies and gentlemen . . . let's head home! Full speed!"

And so they did. In record time, they rushed across the hills of Eternos, the city and Palace growing ever larger as they came closer. They crossed the Eternos River and came upon the First Gate. It flew open and entire group rushed up the ramp to the Second Gate.

The doors to the Second Gate swung apart, allowing them across the bridge. At the point, Adam leapt out of the Attack Track. Teela followed, holding Addison's hand. They ran like the whip of a terrible master was after them.

As they neared the Third Gate, horns and trumpets echoed into the air. The Third Gate opened and revealed all of the residents of Eternos. They shouted and cheered as Adam, Teela, and Addison walked in. Pedals of white and red came upon them and the rest of the convoy. Drums rolled. Horns were blasted.

"Welcome home, dear brother!" shouted Adora, rushing towards her brother. Her arms flew around him. Adam hugged her back.

"Thank you. It's . . . it's beautiful!"

Adam and his group walked forward. He approached Man-E-Faces, Hovar, Melaktha, Stanlin, and Justin. "Well done, well done," he said, shaking their hands heartily.

"Thank you, sire," they answered one at a time.

Adam walked along the central road, hugging, nodding and shaking hands. The Heroic Warriors, the Great Rebellion, Gleep, U-R, and all of Adam's allies that helped him on his troubles stood along the road. As Adam passed and greeted them, they followed him up to the Palace.

Duncan met them all at the door.

"Sire," he greeted.

"Duncan!"

"Father!"

"Grandpa!"

Hugs all around.

Adam then turned to the crowd that had now gathered in front of the Palace, around the restored statue of King Gray the Great.

He bowed to them. Teela, Adora, Addison . . . all of them. They all bowed to the people of Eternos. A mighty cry went out. There was no doubt. No doubt at all.

Eternos was completely restored.