She pulled him in quickly into a hug and he wrapped his arms around her tightly. Seemingly neither side wanted to let go of one another as tears began to stream down her face. She never thought this moment would come so quickly for her to finally be letting him go off and explore the world. But she knew more than ever that now, he was fully ready to take on the world.
"I love you kid, make sure to write back sometimes and come visit. We all are gonna miss you around here…but we'll manage. Do your best and keep your head up…we'll always be here with you."
She pressed her hand on his chest, which held the necklace given to him by the children at the celebration. He held his hand over hers and smiled.
"You don't have to tell me twice…I love you and everyone else here. Thank you all really. I'll make sure to come back and send back some cool things! I'll do my best in the kingdom and make you all proud!" he said as Rita finally let go and slapped him on the back. The sudden reaction shocked Dante as she had slapped a spot on his back he could reach, feeling as if she left a handprint on it.
"Ouch! What was that for!!?"
Rita smiled as the others laughed.
"Those two are waiting for you, get going…we'll be fine. Trust in me!"
Dante smiled graciously as he closed his eyes and turned away from the group, continuing to walk until he reached the carriage. Terra and Xavien reach out their hands from inside and Dante took them as they then pulled him into the carriage. Everyone began to wave and say their byes as the carriage slowly began to take off, Terra stuck her head out of the carriages window and waved erratically to everyone. Rita noticed her and yelled out to her.
"Take care of my baby boy! He's gonna be somethin' special you hear!"
Her face filled with a bright smile as she continued to wave. Yelling back to Rita to make sure she hears as the carriage pulled away.
"I'll make sure to! We'll come back to see you all soon!"
She then sat back into the carriage as Xavien seemed to finally have relaxed from the feeling of heading back home. Terra sat back in her seat and began to relax before noticing Dante. He sat in his seat holding his wand tightly in both hands. Now wearing the gifted arm wraps he received from Bernard, he not only seemed to have changed mentally, but seemed to have begun to look the part of a true adventurer in training. His teeth began to grit as tears began to flow down his face. His breaths turned shaky as he let out a wailing sob as the carriage continued down the road to the kingdom.
Terra's eyes softened as she placed her hand on his back and rubbed it in support.
"You've worked really hard for this…I can tell…"
His sobs continued as he held the belongings of everyone from the village close to him. He knew he'd miss them dearly and wanted to stay strong so that they wouldn't worry. Though, finally leaving the village and seeing what's always been out there for him to see really set in. His tears continued to fall as the sound of his cries and the carriage's wheels rotating filled the air as they continued down the long road ahead.