Before sunset, he finally got to see the emperor and requested him to also join them in the garden. The emperor agreed, a lazy smile curving his lips.

Safed rushed back to Try’s cave, but before he got very far, Try himself appeared before him, holding out the jewel to him. “You’ve invited everybody to join us?” Safed took the jewel and nodded.

The two returned to the garden and Safed made introductions. Xactán stared at Try with awe and something near hero worship was filling his eyes.

After introductions, Safed arranged the three gathered, facing each other.

“You three are the three spoken of in the verse. The three that will start the peace that will last through the ages. Each of you have changed something, and have something that should not be. Your Highness, you’ve the soul of a spirit, making you immortal.” He turned to Kiwi. “You’ve a soul of a demon.” He then faced the count. “And you’ve the soul of a human, thus mortal. Now, Kiwi wishes to be mortal to live and die with her lover.” He did good and didn’t look at Try at this. “Then there is Xactán, who is mortal and wishes to be immortal.” He bit his lips, thinking quickly. “Now, with the magic from Try and the powers of a Spirit, we’ll try to put the immortality, that was Kiwi’s, in the jewel into Count Xactán.” Now he did look at Try and gave him a nod.

In the middle of the trio, Safed placed the jewel and told Ix’An to hold his hands out over it. Across from him, Try placed his hands over the emperor’s. They all closed their eyes and a light, tinted red grew from under the emperor’s and Ix’An’s hands. Safed backed away, careful no to let the light touch him.

There was silence in the garden as the light grew to envelope all four of them.

What could he have meant that Safed would not die? Was it because he would protect him from those that intended him harm?

Maybe Try would stay with him for his natural life and protect him for as long as his person needed it.

Maybe not. He was probably only a threat, a hindrance, as long as Try was alive. If the demon died, then there was no reason for Kila to hate him and want to kill him.

The light had reached the jewel on the ground and was flowing into it. As the jewel filled with light from the inside, wisps rose from within and started to reach for Kiwi. Then the reddish light twined around the jewel’s own light and pulled it away from Kiwi and toward Xactán. It pressed into his body, seeping in.

Then it was over and the jewel lay, dull in the night. The four of them opened their eyes and Try began to back away, just as Safed stepped forward. As he came close, there was a sudden gust of wind and the light from the jewel returned, stronger than ever, tendrils reaching out to twine around Ix’An, Kiwi, Xactán, and Safed.

Safed dropped to his knees, covering his ears, blocking out the loud rumbling that shook the very ground. He opened his eyes to see that the others were also in states of pain from the sound. A pressure pushed down on the four of them, and then burst out like a shock wave, knocking them off their feet.

As Safed opened his eyes and tried to stand, he noticed that the air around them was sprinkled with tiny dots of light, twinkling in the darkness. The air around them smelled sweet and was filled with the touch of magic. He looked at Try.

The demon was holding his hand out to a speck of light, letting the spot settle on his palm. He fisted his hand, holding the light. He looked up and caught Safed’s eyes upon him, then approached. He held out his hand to Safed, who held out his hands to catch the light that was dropped.

Instantly, a calmness filled him, relaxing him and bringing a smile to his lips.

“Here is your peace,” Try said, his voice sardonic. “The magic of three worlds, blended unlike ever before.”

Safed gave a nearly hysterical laugh and looked at the others. Ix’An was holding his head, pain clouding his eyes. Kiwi was staring at the sparks with wonder, touching one with a fingertip. Xactán was holding his hands out before him, staring at them with wide eyes.

Then he made a fist and his gaze shot to Safed and Try. “My magic’s become stronger.” He stood. “I can feel it. I’ve changed.” He turned to Kiwi, still sitting and playing with the twinkling lights. “We’re all chained together, aren’t we, now?”

“We are, can you feel it as well?” Ix’An said, lowering his hand and leaning against a tree’s trunk.

“I do,” Kiwi said, also standing. “We’re in each other’s minds. We’re forever connected.” She smiled at Count Xactán, “You’ve your immortality.”

He nodded.

The emperor turned to Safed. “You’ve proven us a fool. We expected a new kingdom, not a new way of life.” He laughed. “We are very happy with this.” He clapped his hands. “We shall order a party, in your honor.” He started to walk away. “We shall also have you gifted with a title, we think a most powerful title will due for he that has graced us with the ability to make an outlasting peace within all three worlds.”

Xactán held out his hand to shake Safed’s, but offered no words of thanks, not that Safed was expecting any. “I’ll take my leave, then.” He suddenly grinned. “I’ll return to Tavid and show him what power truly is.”

Kiwi suddenly stepped forward. “Wait. You’ve my immortality now. Will you take me with you, for I’ve no magic left in me.” When he nodded, she turned to Safed. “Is it wicked of me to leave like this?”

He shook his head. “You’ve everything you’ve ever wished for. Go and get your prince.” She grinned and hugged him fiercely. She held her hand out to Xactán, who took it and the two of them were gone.

Safed murmured, “They could have stayed for my party.”

Two days later, a very grand ball indeed was held in Safed’s honor. The guest list included many powerful beings from all three worlds, including the Kiwi’s family, and Xactán’s. Those two showed up with King Tavid only hours before the ball.

At the height of the ball, Ix’An informed Safed that the empire now included peace treaties with the Spirit World and the Demon World, unlike any ever seen before. There would not be a war like those of past years ever again, due to this.

Safed was gifted with any number of honors, but refused the titles and lands, upon account that he was still in training, much to the amusement of his parents.

Two days after the ball, they made arrangements to return home.

The trio met in the emperor’s garden, packages laying at their feet. Try was to arrive as soon as the sun set to send them off via magic. While the other made their goodbyes, Safed hid behind his mother, eyes lowered.

He didn’t want to leave. He didn’t want to return to the ordinary life. He had too many contrary thoughts, lately.

The truth was, he didn’t want to leave Try. He knew that when he returned home, he would never see the demon again.

Then, suddenly, he was there, his white hair glowing silver in the moon’s light. He instructed the small family to hold hands while he placed his own on Safed’s shoulders. Safed tensed, relishing even this small touch. They waved bye to the emperor and his companion, then they were home. His mother gasped at the sight of their house, left empty for so long. She rushed indoors while Raz took the time to thank Try. He was called inside by his wife and, with a chuckle, waved and followed her in.

Safed tried to follow, but was stopped by the hands on his shoulders. He was drawn back into Try’s arms as the demon lowered his head to whisper in his ear. “You own my name. Call me, anytime, and I’m yours.”

Maybe this wasn’t the end of his world.