Whims of a Quiet Dreamer

Chapter 49: Honoring the Heroes

The soft glow of Nymbrelis filled the sky as Sithu, Jaren, and Finn stood before the Queen's throne, surrounded by the shimmering beauty of the celestial kingdom. Despite the hardships they had endured, there was a sense of peace now. Kahdros was gone, and the Krevathians had been defeated.

Jaren winced as he shifted his weight, his injuries still fresh from the battle. Sithu glanced at him, concern etched on her face, but before she could speak, the Queen rose from her seat, her eyes filled with kindness.

"Your bravery will never be forgotten," she said, her voice soft yet powerful. She approached Jaren, placing her hand over his wounds. A warm, golden light spread from her touch, and slowly, his injuries healed. The pain faded from his face, replaced by surprise and gratitude.

"Thank you," Jaren whispered, flexing his arm and realizing the weight of his injury was gone.

The Queen smiled before turning to Sithu, her gaze holding deep admiration. "Sithu," she began, "or Avelia, as you were known in Nymbrelis, you have shown not only great power but also immense compassion. Your ability to balance justice with mercy is what makes you a true hero of both worlds."

Sithu's heart swelled with pride, but she remained humble, bowing her head slightly in respect. Around them, a monument began to take shape, rising from the ground as if woven from the very fabric of Nymbrelis itself. It was a tribute to all those who had fought to protect their towns—Sithu's statue standing proudly in the center, with both her Earth name and her true name, Avelia, carved into the base.

Beside her were statues of Savannah and Ravi, her friends who had fought alongside her in Nymbrelis and in their own respective towns, battling Krevathians in their countries just as other Nymbrelins had across the world. Each of them was honored for their sacrifice and courage.

Finn's eyes sparkled with awe as he watched the monument take form. He stood beside Sithu, feeling out of place but undeniably proud. The Queen approached him next, holding out a small, shining key.

"Finn," she said with a gentle smile, "you have proven yourself worthy. This key grants you the right to enter Nymbrelis when you reach 18 Earth years. You will be welcomed here as one of us."

Finn's face lit up with excitement. "Thank you, Your Majesty," he said, clutching the key tightly. "I can't wait."

Finally, the Queen turned to Jaren, her expression still warm. "Though you are not of Nymbrelis, your heart and loyalty have earned you a place among us. This token," she held out a silver coin, "will allow you to communicate with our world through a mystical door, even though you cannot live here as you are an Earthling."

Jaren accepted the token with a deep sense of gratitude, feeling the weight of the bond between Earth and Nymbrelis strengthen. "Thank you," he said earnestly. "I'm honored."

As the Queen moved through the hall, she gestured toward the Earthling allies who had fought valiantly but were not present for the ceremony. With a sweep of her hand, gemstones, each unique in color and radiance, appeared before their names were called. Each Earthling was bestowed with a gemstone, a token of their courage, and a sign of their role in this battle. However, there was one final gift the Queen bestowed upon them: a gentle spell of forgetfulness. The Earthlings, except Jaren, were made to forget the battle entirely, their memories of the war erased to spare them the trauma of what had occurred.

"They have given us their bravery," the Queen said softly, watching as their memories slowly faded, "and now we give them peace. They will carry the gemstones, a silent reminder of their valor, though they will never know its true origin."

Sithu felt a pang of sorrow as she realized her Earthling allies would never fully understand the magnitude of what they had done, but she knew the Queen's choice was wise. Not everyone was meant to bear the burden of such memories.

As the ceremony concluded, the Queen looked at them one last time. "Rest now, my brave ones. Nymbrelis and Earth are safe, for now. But remember, there may come a time when we will need your strength again."

With those words, a sense of peace settled over them. They had won this battle, but the journey wasn't over—it was only just beginning.