“Momma,” The single word shattered her concentration and Jala pulled back from the threads, her mind desperately seeking where Legacy’s voice had come from.
Jala if you can hear me, follow my voice. It was Valor this time, and Jala raced toward the sound of his voice. She slowed as she neared the threads that hummed with the life of those she loved more than anything else in the world. Strength filled her as their voices grew louder in her mind. They are praying to me, Jala realized in shock. She could feel their love and thoughts pulling her back toward the world below. Longing and duty warred in her heart as her gaze returned to the tangled black webs behind her.
Momma you promised you would come home soon. Legacy’s words shattered all thoughts of remaining. The webs might very well be a problem in the future, but she would face them below in the sunlit world with her friends beside her. Drawing her power around her she focused on their voices and used their strands to guide her back to the world below.
The blinding white light faded and sunlight slowly filled her world once more, as she guided her magic through the spells needed to create a body to replace the one she had so carelessly destroyed. Her eyes opened slowly to stare down at the kneeling forms of Valor and her son. Both had their heads bowed and eyes squeezed tightly shut and Jala smiled at how her son mirrored the knight in both posture and the expression on his face. The two Bendazzi sat silent behind them watching her with their bright yellow eyes.
Welcome back. You were sorely missed, Marrow said gently and the sound of his familiar steady voice in her mind brought a smile to her lips.
Silently she pulled on her magic once more, summoning a dress in the Firym style such as she used to wear in Sanctuary before armor had become a necessity. The deep purple silk clung to her form as she stepped toward the two of them and she bent gently to place a hand beneath Legacy’s chin. Tilting his head up slowly she smiled into his wide violet eyes that mirrored her own so perfectly. “Forgive me for being late, Legacy, but I’m here to keep my promise now. I was lost for a time, but you helped show me the way back,” she whispered. Tears filled her son’s eyes as he jumped to his feet and wrapped his arms around her. Reaching down, she lifted him and wrapped him tightly in her arms.
“They said you were dead, Momma. They all said you weren’t coming back. All of them but Valor said you were dead. I didn’t give up. Valor said we had to believe in you no matter what they said.” Legacy’s words poured out of him like a flood, only faltering slightly from his tears.
“You did so well, love. Thank you for believing,” Jala whispered as she kissed him gently on the top of his head. Her gaze rose slowly to Valor and she could see nothing but love and happiness lighting his dark blue eyes.
“Welcome home, Jala,” Valor said quietly, his voice thick with emotion.
Raising her eyes, Jala turned to look back over her shoulder at the rolling hills of Merro and the tiny town below the buildings bright with fresh paint. It was a perfect echo of War’s last waking dream. He has spoken the truth to her with his parting words. Happily-ever-after had been waiting at the end of her trials.
Turning back to Valor, she smiled and moved to wrap an arm around him, pulling him into the embrace. “I’ve waited most of my life to hear those words,” Jala whispered.
The memory of the dark webs crossed her thoughts and she pushed it back once more. That was something she would face another day, or perhaps not ever. There was a chance that someone else would rise to face that threat. For now, all that mattered to her stood wrapped in her arms. She was home and those that meant everything to her were safe in her embrace.