Chapter 36

Epilogue

"Now be careful," Alex said pulling out of her hug with Lukas, "You know where to find us. If you can't make it to Ground Town, you can always come here. "

"Thanks, we'll be careful," Lukas said.

"Are you sure you feel well enough?" Steve asked, hand resting on Jesse's shoulder.

"Dad, I'll be fine," Jesse gave his hand a squeeze, "I know how to get a hold of you if something goes wrong."

Steve's hand drifted down to the sparkling blue amulet on Jesse's neck. A carefully made give that was created long ago; the third matching piece of Alex and Steve's own amulets was finally where is belonged.

"I guess you do…Remember, rub it clockwise three times, and we'll be there. It can't be removed unless you allow it to."

"I know," Jesse assured, "I'll check in often. When we get home I want you guys to meet Axel and Olivia."

"That sounds like a great plan. We can't wait." His father said with a smile.

"Thanks so much for your guys' help," Petra said shaking Steve's hand, "Sorry Ivor pestered you so much with questions."

"It's fine," he replied, "I didn't mind. He can ask all he wants."

"Careful," Jesse whispered, "You'll regret saying that."

"I heard that!" Ivor cut in.

Laughter erupted, echoing off the snow covered walls of the portal temple.

"Are you guys going to be okay?"Jesse asked.

"We'll be done healing soon," Alex said, "But until then, we'll stay on the down low."

Jesse turned to Aiden, smiling, "You sure you don't want to come with us?"

The other paused from tightening his coat straps, he snorted, but he was smirking, "I'm good, too much of a health hazard." He jabbed his head towards the portal, "Besides, with Ground Town recovering from the wall collapse, they're going to need help getting through the winter. You know, someone with more "down to earth" experience."

"By yourself?"

"Naw, Milo, Isa and Reg are helping. And I have Gill and Maya." Aiden glanced at Steve, "You're dad said he would come down and keep an eye on things too."

"I can fix what Herobrine destroyed," Steve said.

"I'll be taking care of our village," Alex said, "And Steve will remain there till the wall is fixed."

"That's really cool," Jesse sad surprised.

"Hell yeah! The First – not that any of the locals need to know that bit- would be awesome to have around for some help." Aiden said.

"Speaking of need to know," Lukas patted the pocket where his journal lay, "Aiden and I decided to leave this little trip exclusively in our notebooks." He smiled at Jesse, "Even if you weren't famous enough already, having knowledge like this public…well…probably isn't a good thing."

"It's for the best," Alex agreed. She took a deep breath, "Now hurry along, while you have time in the day, and before I start crying."

"Adventure!" Ivor yelled, racing into the portal.

"Hey! Old man slow down!" Aiden cursed, looking at Jesse with a groan, "Here we go again." He said as he rushed after.

Lukas and Petra laughed then waved at Steve and Alex.

"Bye!" Petra called, "You guys are awesome!" then she to leapt into the magical gate.

"Yeah! Thanks for the bow!" Lukas added, before vanishing as well.

"Take care!" Alex called her and Steve briefly waving before they turned to Jesse.

"Well, good luck kiddo." Steve said, "Miss you already."

"I hate to let you go, but…"Alex kissed him on the forehead, "You'll find your home and friends soon."

"I will," Jessed said, "Hugging them both, "I miss you both already. But I can't wait for you to meet them,"

They hugged tight, "I'm sure we'll love them." Alex whispered.

Jesse lingered there for a moment, relishing in the hug.

"Remember, your friends are there for you just as much as you are there for them." Steve whispered in his ear, "I have no doubt that together there is nothing you can't do."

"Okay," Jesse whispered back. He gave his parents one last squeeze, and reluctantly pulled away.

Taking a quick second, he glanced at the world around him. The wonder and awe was now restored. Then he looked at his parents, smiling proudly and holding each other close.

Yeah, he couldn't wait for Olivia and Axel to meet them.

"See you guys soon!" Jesse called, he raced towards the portal, pausing, " Bet you I'll be home before winter is up!"

"We'll take that bet!" they replied.

Then with renewed mind and soul, Jesse leapt through the magical gate; onto the next adventure.

Onward to home.

"Hey guys wait for me!"

"Jesse?"

Jesse peeked open an eye, rolling over on the uncomfortable bunk, "Lukas?"

The blonde peeked over the side of the wood, "I'm sorry were you asleep?"

"No not really," Jesse sat up, "These bunks are a pain in the back. You okay?"

"I couldn't sleep," Lukas whispered, "I'm a little stressed to be honest. I'm worried about Olivia and Axel."

Jesse cringed as Lukas hopped up and sat down next to him, "Yeah, I am too."

"Are you sure about this plan? None of the other players seemed really motivated after your speech."

"I am painfully aware my speeches aren't the best, but it is a genetic thing."

"I didn't mean it that way." Lukas sighed, "It's just….Hadrian is bound to try something tomorrow. We…do you think we need help?"

Jesse paused, noticing he was twisting his amulet between his fingers.

"We could call them. I'd like to see Hadrian stand up against two immortals."

Jesse stared at the amulet, quietly, mulling it over, "We go through with the plan."

Lukas raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure?"

"I have you guys to rely on. We can do this, together. I know what matters now, and with you guys beside me, we can beat Hadrian and Mevia."

"If you think so."

"I know so."

Lukas gives him a soft smile.

Jesse smiles brightly back, "We have a plan. It'll be okay. But I will call them if the plan goes to pot, I swear."

Lukas scoffed, "Why do I feel it will anyway?"

"Cause it always does," Jesse laughs.

Some Time Later…..

A butterfly landed on Jesse's nose. He let it sit there a moment, till urging it away with a gust of breath.

"It's so pretty here." Olivia said.

"Name is kind a tacky though," Axel stated.

"Axel…"

"What? It is…"

Springtime was blossoming in Ground Town. Daisies sprung up everywhere, birds flocked in from the south. Zombies were able to remove their frozen feet from the rivers and lakes.

Good ole springtime.

"Oh hey! There is Aiden!" Olivia waved, "Hi Aiden!" she called.

Perched on the city's defensive wall chatting with Reginald; the addressed male looked over at the sound of his name. He paused momentarily before returning the wave, even smiling.

Olivia lowered her arm, "I can't believe you two are friends now."

Jesse just smiled, arms crossed behind his head as the trio walked.

"Yeah it is kind weird," Axel said, "Considering he wasn't last year. I remember when he was kinda jerk to us, like….all the time."

"Well, sometimes people can change." Jesse said, "Aiden and I had quite a few building experiences - OW! OW! Fortis!"

Axel and Olivia backed away laughing as the stone goliath patted Jesse lovingly on the head.

"Dude that is awesome!" Axel grinned.

"Yeah, well- Ow! Thanks buddy- Ouch! Thank you Fortis!"

Fortis ceased his pats and with a low grunt and a tilt of his head the golem walked away.

"Was that the golem you made?"Olivia asked, still giggling.

"Yeah, how'd you guess?" Jesse said, rubbing his head.

Olivia laughed.

The trio continued their walk, Jesse pointing out the highlights of the town along the way.

"Um, Jesse?" Olivia suddenly piped up.

"Yeah?"

"I've got a question."

"Shoot."

Olivia stopped walking, coming to rest on a park bench; Axel joined her. "While I was reading Lukas's book of your adventures, I noticed something odd."

Jesse titled his head, "What?"

"Well Lukas logged it pretty well, but there was this huge gap between your guys adventure with the White Pumpkin and your battle with PAMA."

"Yeah, did nothing cool happen or something?" Axel added.

"Ah," Jesse said, "Well that's why I asked you guys here today, I wanted to cover that gap-"

"Knew it!"

"What?"

"Come on man," Axel frowned, "You've been acting kind of odd these past few weeks since you got home. You're hiding something, don't think we have didn't notice that necklace you are never without nowadays."

Jesse stopped, not realizing he had been twisting his amulet between his fingers. "That is….part of what I need to show you." He rubbed the stone clockwise.

"Jesse…"

"Guys I'm serious. I am going to tell you what happened, during the gap. It's just…complicated? I'd rather just show you."

Axel's eyes narrowed, then they widened, and he snapped his fingers, "I got it Olivia! Jesse's got himself a date!"

Jesse turned scarlet as Olivia laughed, "WHAT?!"

"It's nothing to be secretive about man; Olivia and I are cool with it."

"Wha- No that's not-"

"Jesse's got a girlfriend~"

Jesse scoffed, "No, but I might have eloped," he mumbled.

Olivia's eyebrow's shot up, "You what?"

A sharp whistle cut through the air, and the group looked to see Aiden waving from the wall. He pointed just past Jesse's shoulder. Jesse turned in time to see Ground Town's portal flash.

Jesse smiled

"I'm ready for you to meet Axel and Olivia, meet me at Ground Town?"

"Rub the stone kiddo and we'll be there."

"Come on guys," Jesse said.

"Jesse hold up, I thought you were going to fill us in," Olivia countered.

"I am, but you guys need to meet some people first."

Axel looked ahead, "Who? Them?" he asked pointing.

"Yeah," Jesse answered.

"Who are they?" Olivia inquired.

Jesse hummed slightly, a eager smile tugging at his lips, "Do you remember that game we used to play when we were little?"

She was confused to have the topic switch so suddenly, but the female obliged. "The parent game? Yeah, what about it?"

"Well, it's kind of a funny story, and again, super complicated." Jesse laughs. He grabs Olivia and Axel by the hands heading down to the portal path. Steve and Alex spot him, and they smile brightly at the sight of him. His dad wraps an arm around his mom's waist, and they both eagerly wave.

"Olivia, Axel, meet Steve and Alex." Jesse says as the trio came to the couple.

They exchanged handshakes.

"Nice to meet you," Olivia says politely.

"Like-wise," says Steve.

"Alex and Steve are part of the adventure I am about to tell you guys about," Jesse explains, "A really big part of it actually."

Olivia and Axel both look in curiosity, and his parents smile knowingly.

Jesse takes a deep breath. Two halves of his life stands before him, and he's ready for them to become one.

"It starts with a chilly autumn night here in town…."

The End.

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