Oberon bowed his head, and said quietly: "Yes, we found him. Once we breached the gates of Acis, my Marax was one of the fallen Sanglorian soldiers. He was still breathing, and I held him in my arms as he died."

Juan felt like the air was pulled from his lungs. "I'm so sorry," he said, hugging the elf wizard.

Oberon held the embrace for a long moment before he separated. "Thank you. I just ... I'm going to keep moving, doing what needs to be done." Tears were streaming from his glowing yellow eyes. "At least he didn't die alone."

Libra stepped in. "I'm sorry to interrupt. Scorpio just arrived. She says the last pockets of resistance have been crushed. The Sanglorian Air Force is now under command of the Indigos, and it's unnecessary for her to keep watch. She's brought Malachus back, in chains."

The three wizards made their way to the common hall of Cashel. Scorpio entered to a hero's welcome, cheers ringing throughout the hall. Xicarus and Orlando followed close behind her, holding up their hands and grinning to the applause. They accepted their laurel crowns and made their way through the crowd.

The cheers turned to boos as Xanthic soldiers led the prisoner Malachus, in chains. Juan was startled to see him in person. He had expected this mass murdering dictator to be a brutal figure, covered in scars and bristling with evil. Instead, the Mathmaster Malachus Micgraines bore a striking resemblance to Juan: tall, slender, a well trimmed beard and kind eyes. Malachus could easily have passed for Juan's brother.

They watched Pisces approach Malachus, waving shyly to him, and he nodded to her, then looking away quickly. Pisces stood for a moment after he passed, holding her head and clutching the psychic inhibiting tiara. Her angst quickly turned to joy as a Harlequin elf woman entered the hall escorting a girl, perhaps eleven years old, who Pisces embraced immediately.

"Her daughter," Libra told Juan, nodding at the touching scene of reunion.

"When will it be safe to release Pisces from the inhibiting tiara?" Juan asked Libra.

"She'll have to wear it until after Malachus' trial and sentencing. If the tribunal doesn't seek the death penalty, he'll be kept in a prison with built in psychic dampening." Libra explained. "It's a compromise: while Pisces isn't being charged for war crimes, she's seen as a potential collaborator and a mean for Malachus to escape by magical or psychic methods. When this is all finished, she's free to return to Anwyn or Golgonozza with her daughter."

Juan nodded, glad to see mother and daughter reunited. He was startled by strong hands wrapping around his waist and picking him up. Scorpio was embracing him. "We won! Can you believe it!" She exclaimed.

Juan laughed and accepted the soft kiss she planted on his lips as she set him down. He blushed and hugged her close. "I'm glad to have you back, Scorpio," he said gently.

Scorpio leaned back and clapped Xicarus on the back. "You should have seen this kid in action! He brought a veritable hurricane down on the Sanglorians. Nothing could fly in the winds, lightning and hailstorm he called down. Except us, of course." Xicarus beamed at the praise.

Releasing Scorpio, Juan shook the sylph's hand. "Outstanding. I'm proud of you, kid."

Xicarus hugged Juan. "Thanks for giving me a chance and believing in me, Gemini."