Today marks the release of the final chapter of this series.

To everyone who read it . Whether you followed from the beginning or joined somewhere along the way "Thank you". I hope it gave you a good time, or at least something interesting to experience.

I started this project as a personal challenge: to see if I could write a full story. Along the way, I learned a lot. My writing improved, especially in building cause and effect, structuring plots, and carrying a narrative forward. By my own reading standards, this may not be my best work—but it made me a better writer, and that matters more.

I’m especially grateful to those who took the time to comment, point out flaws, and share their thoughts. That feedback helped me grow more than anything else.

This may be the end of this series, but it’s not the end of my writing. I’ll be back soon with a new, more contained and refined adventure.

Until then ,see you next time.
---------------------------------

*One Month Later - Ephus*

 

Marcus finished calibrating the regulator he had designed.

 

The Technology Seed hummed beside him, running for about an hour each day on solar power. But soon that would change. The calibrator would work as a regulator for the electricity coming from the coal power plant Malachar had built. Thanks to that, he could power the Technology Seed forever.

 

He stepped back and admired his work. A strange feeling washed over him. Pride. Accomplishment. Hope.

 

He was now the head of the newly founded first university of Ephus. The building was Malachar's old facility, transformed from a place of terror to one of learning. Marcus would educate those who sought higher knowledge and send them back to their countries to rebuild. Maybe push further into science. Medicine. Agriculture.

 

Change the world, one student at a time.

 

His friends and family had stayed at Drakmoor. Their livelihood and business were there. But Numan had come with him. And the banished Alice Brightshield.

 

Alice was too timid now, unlike her old self. Years of being locked up had taken their toll. She flinched at loud noises. Avoided crowds. Barely spoke above a whisper. But thanks to the information she had provided, they had defeated Malachar. So Marcus was keen to give her another chance.

 

Numan tried to help around the facility, but he could only speak to Marcus. Marcus was trying to teach him the local language, but it took too much of his time. Still, having someone from Earth, someone who understood both worlds, was invaluable.

 

Today was the day they would finally keep their promise to Celestine.

 

The copied Earth seed sat on a pedestal in the center of the room. It pulsed with gentle light, as if it knew what was coming.

 

Marcus was upset he would never see Celestine again. Never get to ask her the millions of questions about the cosmos that burned in his mind. But maybe it was for the best. A powerful being like her coming and going pulled cosmic eyes onto Ephus. And that never meant good things for the small folk.

 

The usual black portal opened.

 

Sara and Aldric came through first.

 

Aldric looked more like himself now. Confident. Strong. Just like the day they first met. The shadows under his eyes had faded. His shoulders no longer hunched with guilt.

 

Marcus walked up to them and hugged them both. Then he noticed the matching bracelets on their wrists. In Ephus, it only meant one thing.

 

Engagement. A promise to marry.

 

Marcus's smile widened. "He finally asked, huh?"

 

"Actually, I asked." Sara said, grinning. "He was withdrawn after the whole Puppeteer thing."

 

Marcus turned to Aldric.

 

"Yes, partner." Aldric nodded. "I admit I was lost. She pulled me out. Like always."

 

Then Palwin and Tom passed through the portal.

 

His giant cousin immediately jumped between them, pushing Sara and Aldric aside with his massive frame.

 

"Yooo cousin! How are you? Did you hear? These two secretly got engaged!"

 

Then Tom saw Numan at the back, working on some equipment. He started shouting in English.

 

"Numan! My brother!" He ran over. "How are you? Did you like our food?"

 

Marcus shook his head, smiling. Some things never changed.

 

After the pleasantries were exchanged, Marcus gathered everyone in the main chamber. The Earth seed copy glowed on its pedestal. The machines hummed around them.

 

"Thank you all for coming." Marcus said. "And thank you for everything you did to end the war. We couldn't have done it without each of you."

 

He looked at them one by one. Sara, who had led when he was gone. Aldric, who had suffered and survived. Tom, who had fought like a demon. Palwin, who had pushed her powers beyond their limits.

 

"Especially you, Palwin." Marcus said. "You became our savior. Pushing yourself to the breaking point. Opening portals when it should have been impossible. We owe you everything."

 

Palwin blushed and looked at her feet. Tom put a proud arm around her.

 

"And now, for our final quest." Marcus gestured to the seed. "Palwin, will you do us the honor of sending this copy to space?"

 

Palwin smiled. "Sure."

 

She concentrated. Sweat beaded on her forehead. The air began to shimmer.

 

"Will she be there?" Sara asked quietly.

 

"I sent a signal three times indicating this date." Marcus said. "She should be there."

 

The portal opened. Not to another place on Ephus. But outward. Into the void between stars. The edges crackled with impossible energy. Through it, they could see darkness. And distant lights.

 

"Everyone, come help push the seed through." Marcus called. "Numan, come please. Alice, you too."

 

Alice looked around. Shook her head.

 

But Tom was already there. He grabbed her tiny body and lifted her toward the group. "Come on, sister. You helped save the world too."

 

The unlikely seven gathered around the seed. Marcus and Tom. Sara and Aldric. Palwin and Numan. And Alice, small and uncertain but present.

 

Together, they pushed the seed through the portal.

 

It floated into the void. Drifting toward something they couldn't see.

 

They were closing the debt for saving their world.

 

But then, in an instant, a head appeared through the portal.

 

Celestine.

 

Her silver hair floated in the zero gravity of space. Her eyes sparkled with ancient mischief.

 

"Hello, kids." Her voice echoed strangely. "Technically I am not here. Congratulations on winning. Thanks for the seed." She grinned. "But I was wondering... can I get that Technology Seed too?"

 

"No!" Marcus shouted, laughing. "Palwin, shut the portal! I'm going to need that to fix the Earth seed!"

 

Celestine's laugh echoed as the portal began to close. "Worth a try! Good luck, children of two worlds! May your seeds grow strong!"

 

The portal snapped shut.

 

Silence.

 

Then everyone burst out laughing. Even Alice managed a small smile.

 

Marcus turned to face his friends. His family of choice. People from different worlds, brought together by circumstance and bound by something stronger.

 

"Now." He rubbed his hands together. "Who is going to help me fix our Earth seed? That's why I'm here, after all."

 

"Alright everyone." He smiled. "Let's get to work. We have a world to save."

 

And they did.