Five years had passed since Umbra's final journey into the realm of suffering. His family and all the friends he had made across thousands of lifetimes were now gathered in a dimension he had created long ago. This place was not just any realm—it was a sanctuary, a world only accessible to those whom Umbra loved deeply. No outsider could enter unless their heart held a bond with his.
The dimension was perfect—a paradise for his loved ones. Sprawling academies for children filled the lands, where young ones learned everything from swordplay to ancient magic. Teachers guided students through both regular schooling and lessons in the ways of the worlds, while homes stretched across the horizon, cozy and filled with warmth. All around, there were parks, lakes, theaters, and other spaces filled with joy and laughter.
In the heart of it all stood the kingdom—a majestic palace overlooking the realm from the tallest peak. The marble towers gleamed under the eternal sky, reflecting the warmth of this place of love and safety. This palace was the home of Umbra's main family, a circle of those closest to his heart, residing in their own separate quarters within the grand fortress.
But despite the peace in this world, there was a lingering presence—the original family from the very start of everything, whose absence was keenly felt by everyone.
Inside the palace's grand halls, Umbra's wives had gathered in the throne room, their conversation light but filled with the depth that came from millennia of love and experience.
Seraphina, the dragon goddess, sat near the large windows, watching over their kingdom below with a serene expression. Her scaled wings glimmered in the sunlight, and her long hair fell in waves down her back. Beside her, Aeloria, the elven queen, twirled her staff absentmindedly as she gazed out at the flourishing land, her green eyes sparkling with pride.
"It's peaceful here," Aeloria remarked, her voice soft. "After everything we've been through, I sometimes wonder if it's too quiet."
Selene, sitting on the large couch with Nyxara by her side, chuckled. "Too quiet? I think it's exactly what we need. After thousands of years of battle and chaos, we deserve this peace."
Nyxara, the demon queen, rested her chin on her hands, her fiery gaze softening as she spoke. "But do you think Umbra is happy here? I've seen him wandering the palace at night, like something still weighs on him."
Seraphina, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke, her voice calm but filled with understanding. "He's never truly at peace. His soul carries the weight of too many lives, too many losses."
A thoughtful silence filled the room, each of them lost in their own memories of Umbra—the man who had lived so many lives, who had given them all love, but who had also borne unimaginable pain.
Down in the courtyard, the children of the realm were playing, laughing as they practiced their sword skills and magic under the watchful eyes of their teachers. Among them were Umbra's own daughters—Crystal, Ember, and the others, each unique in their powers but bonded by their father's love.
Crystal, with her icy blue hair, froze the ground beneath her as she sparred with one of the other students. Ember, her fiery counterpart, laughed as she manipulated flames, her playful energy a sharp contrast to the cool demeanor of her sister.
"You're getting better!" Crystal shouted, dodging a strike from one of the boys. "But you'll have to do more than that to beat me!"
From a balcony above, Umbra's wives watched their children with smiles on their faces.
"They're growing up so fast," Aeloria said, her eyes warm with pride. "It feels like just yesterday they were little."
Selene nodded, leaning against the railing. "It's hard to believe everything we've been through. Yet here we are, watching them live in peace."
Nyxara let out a small laugh. "Who would've thought that after all those battles, we'd end up playing mothers, watching over this kingdom like we're living some fairytale?"
Seraphina, standing in the center of the group, smiled gently. "It's not a fairytale—it's what we fought for. This was Umbra's dream all along. A world where we could live, love, and raise our children without fear."
In the throne room, Umbra himself sat quietly on the high seat, his face thoughtful as he listened to the voices of his wives echoing through the halls. He could feel their love, their contentment, and yet, deep inside, the burden of his past lives still lingered. His heart ached with memories, both sweet and painful.
Suddenly, Seraphina appeared beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Her presence was always a comfort to him, even after all these years.
"You're thinking again," she said softly, her voice filled with love and concern.
Umbra smiled weakly. "I can't help it. Even here, in this perfect place, there's always a part of me that feels... like something is missing."
Seraphina's eyes softened. "It's the beginning, isn't it? The one who started it all?"
Umbra nodded, his thoughts drifting to the one who had been his first companion, the one who had turned from love to hatred, becoming his greatest enemy. "I left her behind. And in doing so, I lost part of myself."
Seraphina knelt beside him, her hand gently stroking his face. "You didn't lose anything. You gave everything, Umbra. And we are all here because of it."
Umbra's gaze shifted to the window, where he could see the kingdom spread out below, filled with life, joy, and love. His family—his wives, his children, his friends—were all here. Yet, as perfect as this world was, the weight of the past still clung to him.
"Maybe one day," he whispered. "One day, I'll find peace."
Seraphina's hand tightened around his. "We'll be here, always. And when you do find it, we'll still be waiting for you."
That night, as the stars twinkled above the kingdom, Umbra's family gathered in the great hall for dinner, the sound of laughter and conversation filling the air. The table was large, but everyone felt close, surrounded by the warmth of love and family.
For now, they had peace, and in this dimension of Umbra's creation, love was their greatest strength.
And though the beginning of everything still haunted him, here, in this perfect kingdom, he knew he would never be alone again.