Zio stroked the wounded drake's snout. "She's going to be okay?"
Dhalia nodded. The lightning strike that unseated Havoc hadn't finished the creature. They'd found the drake a few hours later, washed ashore at the edge of Fury Bay—shaken but alive.
"Tor will take over in a few days," she added.
Tor, the Academy's beastmaster, was already training the drake captured earlier. Apparently, drakes thrived in pairs.
While Cane and Fergis made their slow return to the Academy, Davon and Teek took it upon themselves to organize something grand. From the depths of their supply stores came an impressive stash of alcohol—and a party of legendary proportions commenced.
By the time Cane and Fergis arrived, a massive bonfire blazed near the ringworld's central square. Students, staff, and allies circled around, mugs in hand, laughter echoing under the stars. Gadira's voice carried across the glade, her singing rich with magic and soul.
"LADS!" Brammel bellowed as soon as he saw them. The dwarf was double-fisting tankards, singing along while swaying with the music.
Cane dropped to the ground between Sophie and Dhalia. Fergis found a spot beside Teek across the fire.
Smiles all around. The kind born not from relief, but from release—from the deep, earned joy of surviving something immense.
Zio shoved a mug into Cane's hand. "To seeing the end of the war—and taking part in the final battle! Something I'll never forget. Thanks for bringing us along."
CHEERS!
Mugs clashed. Voices rang.
Cane laughed, clinking with the others.
Sophie tightened her grip on his arm, grinning wider than usual. "We've been at this for a while. You two are a bit late."
"We stopped just short of the Academy," Cane replied, chuckling.
"You mean you don't know?" Davon's voice rang across the clearing—boozy and bold. He raised his general-issue sword and fire-forged ring for all to see.
"Check these out. Cane made these. Every single one. The swords? Tuned to fire mana. These rings? They channel flame like nothing else. Every ring and every weapon in Fury Legion came from the same hands—Cane Ironheart."
Around the fire, jaws dropped.
Most of the students had no idea.
Siya's eyes widened, stunned. "We won the war… because of Cane?"
Cane groaned. "No. Come on—don't do that."
"Yes," Davon said firmly. "Both sides used the same strategy. The difference was Fury. We eliminated four Legions. We lost thirty-nine."
"Don't argue," Fergis said, grinning. "If you'd stayed in your village, or become a roaming smith like you planned—we'd still be losing this war."
Jonas smiled from across the fire. Watching Cane now—surrounded, trusted, transformed—it was almost hard to believe less than a year had passed.
"I'm proud of you," Jonas said simply.
Sophie kissed Cane's cheek and leaned against him, eyes warm. "Me too."
"Thank you," Cane murmured.
He raised his mug, but his tone shifted—humble, sincere.
"That final battle wasn't just me. Selene controlled the sea. Chanzi and her psi students closed the gaps. Clara's vines held the dam. And Dhalia…"
Dhalia blinked, flushed from both drink and praise.
"Dhalia stayed here—working tirelessly. Most of you probably didn't know, since I rotated out non-essential staff during time dilation. But she's been here almost the entire time. Nearly two years."
A quiet fell over the group. Not solemn. Respectful.
Cane stood, lifting his mug once more.
"To everyone who made this possible. To the Fury. To the fallen. And to what comes next."
Mugs rose once more.
CHEERS.
**
The gryphon pair approached the Magi Academy as if greeting an old friend. They circled once above the towers, then landed smoothly atop the aerie.
HOOACH!
Pudding landed on Cane's shoulder just as he dismounted from his seat behind Sophie.
"Shhh… it's too late for screeching," Cane muttered, gently helping Sophie down.
He left the gryphons in Tor's care—Tor had piloted the second gryphon back and was already fussing over both. The beastmaster was more animated than usual; apparently, drakes trained better in pairs, and he now had two to train… plus the gryphs.
Pudding huffed, then flapped into the night sky and vanished among the stars.
Cane yawned and tugged Sophie's hand. "Been dreaming about sleeping in my own bed."
"What about the others?" she asked, falling into step beside him.
"Most of the ringworld group's passed out cold. I'll bring them back in the morning." Cane smiled faintly. "Except for Gadira."
Sophie laughed. "According to her, she's never leaving."
"No doubt," Cane replied, trudging up the stairs toward Seven Tower.
Inside, Sophie tilted her head. "That's a cute cap…"
Cane raised an eyebrow. "You just noticing?"
"Where'd you get it?" she asked, eyes narrowing playfully.
Cane grinned and adjusted the brim. "Belonged to Runner Belzi. Fastest soldier in the Allied Forces."
Sophie pushed him backward onto the bed, climbing over him like a tired cat. "I know Runner Belzi. She's amazing."
"You're amazing too," Cane said, tossing his clothes into the air with a chuckle.
"Can I have the cap?"
"No."
The next morning, Cane emptied the ringworld—everyone but Gadira.
Classes resumed a few days later, but not before the capital held its promised celebration. Just as Terok predicted: there was a parade.
Cane and Fergis stood at the front of the lead float, waving as they rolled through the cheering streets behind dancers, gymnasts, and bards.
During the ceremony, Cane received the Golden Cross—the highest military honor in the Allied Forces. Fergis and Dhalia earned silvers. The rest of the Academy team, bronzes.
Spring softened into summer, and the Academy settled into peace.
When not in class, Cane spent most of his time expanding the ringworld—bringing in wild animals, livestock, and even aquatic life with Selene Morva's help. Two new cottages were constructed. A full corral now held horses and cattle. Fenced pastures and troughs followed. Slowly but surely, a peaceful if uninhabited settlement was taking shape.
With a week left before summer break, Telamon began joining Cane inside the ringworld whenever time allowed.
They sat on the bench outside the blacksmith's shop one morning, talking quietly.
"The Starsong returns at dawn?" Cane asked.
Telamon nodded. "And I want you to take it with you, nephew. The Defiant will remain here for future sea operations—until you return."
Cane nodded. "Thank you, Uncle."
He didn't need to explain. He had promised Neri he would help find her people. Rhiati would join them. The Starsong would be their shield.
"Can I see the artifact?"
Cane handed him the ornate wooden box. Inside, a glowing water source and a small container made from ancient coral shimmered under the light.
"Selene and I think it may be part of a portal gate," Cane said.
Telamon inhaled deeply. "It carries the scent of old spatial magic. Neri may know more than any of us."
"I hope so," Cane said softly.
Telamon rested a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever you find… keep yourselves safe. And return in time for next school year."
"I'll do my best, Uncle."
And with that, the boy who had once been lost at sea prepared to follow the current again—this time by choice.
Toward the deeps.
Toward Neri's people.
Toward the unknown.
*Author's Note: This is the end of the first draft.*