Isaac groaned and sat up. His leg was quite stiff as he struggled to his feet and stood. The rest of his wounds seared with pain as he inhaled and steadied himself against the wall. Why does it take so long to heal from the attacks of a god...damn it hurts, he thought as he gingerly stepped out of the room and down the stairs.

  He recalled what Slate had told him as he roused from his wounds; "We heal fast...but we aren't immortal. Gods don’t fight often for this reason, right here. Most of us are fragile, just more powerful than other creatures…maybe I should make us all some new armor.”

  As he descended he saw Yvilli; who was seeing Matthew, Mari and Shandra out the door with Jareth as a chaperone. She turned as he slipped down the final step and went to help support him, guiding him to a couch.

  "Thank you. I thought I could make it downstairs on my own this time."

  Yvilli tutted, her wooden lips making a clicking noise; "It's only been a few days. Continuing to rest won't harm anyone."

  Isaac frowned, "I have worshippers to attend to. Vythin and Slate are out there gathering followers, performing miracles...and I'm just bed-bound."

  "I understand feeling restless," she replied sitting next to him. "I have been thinking about something in the last few weeks."

  Isaac shifted to face her, "And what is it you have been thinking about?"

  "I don't want to stay anymore. This experience...being a mother figure, is something that I grow tired of. I long to feel the wind through my boughs again. I want to feel the roots beneath me spreading out. But you summoned and bound me, I can only leave if you will it."

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  Isaac frowned, "I would be sad to see you go. I'm sure the kids would miss you as well...but I understand." He looked out the window at the bustling street outside as various sounds filtered through. "I long for the peace and quiet of the glades and deep woods. This city? This isn't where I imagined I would be. I miss being under the trees...feeling the grass beneath my bare feet. So much has changed since then, in such a short time my whole world has turned upside down. I understand you entirely...you may go. And thank you for all that you did. I'll never forget it."

  Yvilli smiled. Not a fully happy smile, but bittersweet - the type of smile that one has when they know that a great experience is ending and yet they still enjoyed it while it lasted. "Thank you, Isaac. With your permission I'll visit every once in a while. You'll hear my request. Farewell for now." She stood as the light left her eyes, the green energy sustaining her vanishing as her form collapsed into a pile of grass and twigs from the river bank he once summoned her from.

  Eventually Jareth returned and Isaac filled him in on the situation. He frowned slightly, "Damn, I was really enjoying her cooking."

  "She was a good cook, and a great person...Look...I'm not the best with kids. Can you break the news?"

  Jareth frowned, "I will I suppose. Who am I to question the wisdom of a god? Slate's a fatherly type - I'll have him help. Go get some rest, sir."

  Isaac nodded and got off the couch, slowly making his way up the stairs and into his bed. He collapsed and channeled his heat into his mind as pain erupted and his vision went white as his consciousness traveled to Caeli's afterlife.

  Willow smiled at him as he walked in the door of the cottage. "You’re back! I was wondering if you were coming tonight."

  Isaac walked up and held her, kissing her head, "Every night I can spend with you I will."

  She turned around in his arms, "Promise?"

  Isaac chuckled and ran a hand through her hair, "Of course, my love. Whenever I can. I'll always come home."

  She giggled and kissed him, and he eagerly returned the gesture.