Published at 11th of October 2026 10:06 am

Chapter 333 Nothing Ends

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Nicolus would need time to heal, but then again, so would Enteria. Mirian left the next morning to continue her work.

Finally, when the worst of the crises were either over or she was sure a former prophet or competent group had them in hand, she allowed herself to return to Arriroba. Gaius, who still had Meu following him around, was nearby, and so she invited her father to the village.

Her adoptive family and her birth father had met, but not properly. At long last, it was time to rectify that.

She had seen her parents from time to time during the loops. At a certain point, when the hostilities among the prophets had seemed to die down, Mirian had been less cautious about visiting them. Even with that, she had grown distant from them. Her return wasnt for her own sake, but for theirs. It would be nice to give them resolution.

The Castrellas now had a very nice looking home in the village. Mirian had made no demands of anyone, but just knowing they were her relatives had changed the way people treated them. At some point, a group of mages and masons had come by and fixed up all the apartments, houses, shops and farms in the whole area and built several new places. Her father was most thankful that the old schoolhouse had been repaired and expanded. Her mother now had a workshop that would be the envy of any artisan.

Mi-ri! Zayd said as she landed, and rushed forward for a hug. She was maintaining an illusion to suppress her glowing eyes so as not to be too intimidating for her little brother. Her parents stood nearby, unsure what to do. Enough of Mirians story had made it their way that they knew shed changed.

Zayd wasnt bothered. Hey why do your eyes glow now? Can you make my eyes glow? Your robe looks really cool. Was that really you who made the big lights? Is it true you moved the moon? Hey, a bunch of people came by and I got toys and a new room and oh yeah did you know we got taken hos-tage and I didnt have to go to school? But then we came back and Dad says I have to do lessons again so I wrote a letter to ask if we could be hos-tages again and Mom said she delivered it to the fastest falcon in the world but I dont think she did because I found it in her desk drawer. Ohhh you can make people fly now, right? Can we!? Can we!?

Mirian smiled and ruffled his hair. In a bit, Zayd. Her gaze turned more serious. Mother, father, I She had rehearsed what she was going to say as she so often did, but now, the act felt too empty. Her attitude towards most people she talked to was deliberately cultivated, her conversations, pulled from what she knew worked best to get the results she wanted. She knew how to make people feel empowered. She knew how to stir whatever emotion she wanted.

She let her pre-planned speech turn to mist. I know what to say to anyone but not to you two. I visited, in the loops, when I could. But what does a child say to her parents when shes grown so much older than them? Things have changed now. The time loops stole your ability to be parents. They stole away your ability to watch your daughter grow up. Im sorry. So many people lost things. Its never fair, is it? I came to terms with it a long time ago, but you What do you need from me?

Jerron and Dhelias eyes had both grown wet with tears as shed talked. Zayd, sensing the mood had changed, but not understanding why, looked at everyone with puzzlement.

Youre our daughter, Jerron said. Its not on you to fulfill our needs.

Dhelia scolded him gently. Jerron! Just be with us for a bit, she said. Weve missed you.

And with that, they embraced. Around them, quite a few villagers watched, until at least some of them felt awkward enough to get back to their own business.

You have me for a week, Mirian promised, after the hugs were over and the shoulder of her robe was stained with tears. And, Id like to properly introduce you to my birth father, she said. Hes family too.

They looked a little nervous as Gaius came down, even though he was using his own illusion to look a bit livelier. Zayd bounced up and down chanting, Fly! Fly! Fly! along with some of the other children.

Soon enough, her adoptive parents softened on Gaius. It was hard to be intimidated by him when he started getting excited about old archaeological discoveries or rambling about some esoteric history hed been studying. It was harder still when he flew the children around, then conjured some illusions out in the fields for them to play with.

Mirian sat back with her three parents. Gaius was regaling her adoptive mother with how the woodworkers of ancient Alatishad had incorporated the knots common in quartzwood trees into their projects, which she was enraptured by.

Mirian sighed. Id ask about the new schoolhouse, but this isnt the first time a bunch of people have rebuilt it to curry favor with me. Id ask about how youre feeling about my new status, but itd be artificial; Ive had that conversation many times. Id ask about the experience with Ibrahims army, but I had my birth father watching you the whole time keeping me informed. It was the best way I could think of to protect you while not sacrificing any strategic objectives, given the circumstances. I really dont know what to say to you two anymore. Not until youve had a chance to live again.

Jerrons jaw clenched, but he nodded. I prepared for a lot of things as a parent, but never this. Your mothers right, though. Just be with us. Thats enough.

I can do that," she said.

For the rest of the week, Mirian kept to Arriroba. They ate well, with different families taking turns preparing feasts every other day. She told stories of her time in the loops. She occasionally had to chase off a group that wanted to see her and had snuck by the perimeter guards who kept an eye on her. At no point had she ordered the Luminates to protect her with an honor guard, but they did their best to follow her around these days.

Dealing with the mundanity of village life was boring. She was used to political crises, subterfuge, and commanding armies. It was hard for her to care about the trivial things. She amused herself by taking on artifice projects around Arriroba. In one case, she noticed some inefficiencies in the ward structure that the mages who had stopped by had built. The central wards had multiple slow conduit leaks and at least a dozen malformed glyphs, so she fixed them. She also created an energy transmutation scheme that would help keep the house cool in the summers and warm in the wintersjust a small thing to help out.

One evening, she dedicated to Grandpa Irabi, telling him of the wise council hed given her in her times of need.

The gift I want to give you is a world full of your philosophy, your kindness, and your wisdom, she told him.

The old mans lip trembled, and his eyes watered as the two of them embraced.

They want to build a statue of you here, you know, he said, wiping a tear away.

She shook her head. No. It should be of you.

He chuckled, but she was serious. She would be commissioning both statues and books recounting their dialogues. Just as Gaius sought to correct the historical records that had been poisoned, she wanted a new philosophical movement, one that would bolster the kind of world they were trying to build.

For her last dinner there, she put on an illusionary light show for the village, which Zayd and the other children loved. When Zayd and his friends had at last exhausted themselves with games, Mirian levitated her little brother to bed and went on a walk with the rest of her family. They talked into the night. She couldnt say it was a happy reunion, but it was the best that they could do.

That next morning, as she watched the dawn with Gaius, a realization struck her.

I its a new sunrise, she said. One I one I havent seen before. ogically, she had known that she would finally see one, but experiencing it finally drove her heart to feel it. She blinked back tears at the beauty of it.

The coiled up emotions unleashed, and her tears kept coming, the first since shed watched the Ominian sacrifice themself.

Things can finally change, she said. Zayd would finally grow up. Grandpa Irabi would someday die. Lily would finally graduate from Torrviol Academy.

Gaius nodded. They can. But do you think they will? Sometimes, I wonder if human nature doesnt doom us to repeat the mistakes of the past. There wont be prophets for the next crisis.

One of the earlier prophets joined the Elder Gods as an Unmoored. He said that despite all hed seen, human nature was far too malleable to be so easily known. We can change things. I know we canwe have to create systems that bring out the best in us. Something that lasts, generation after generation. Xylatarvia saw that in us. Its why she saved us from the void.

Gaius looked up. The stars had vanished in the dawn light, but the crescent of Luamin was visible in the sky. Ive been meaning to ask what will you do next?

Unspoken was that he knew, as Zhuan, Xecatl, and Jherica did, that shed reached her sixth soul ascension. That though she hadnt summoned her full power since the Mausoleums return, she was now capable of things that no human except the Unmoored she had met could do. Even the gatelings talked to her differently now; Eyeball and Conductors voices no longer boomed in her head. She was on a new path.

Mirian smiled. Im not sure yet. With my soul the way it is, I dont think Ill age quite the same. I have plenty of time to decide. For now, Ive made my commitment to Enteria.

Her father smiled at her. Ill be glad for every year you stay.

They embraced.

***

The months turned to years. Mirians travels brought her back to Palendurio, where the Luminate Order had at last decided on their reforms. Mirian attended the Grand Sanctum as the newly appointed Pontiff Everad gave his first address to the people. The old secrets of the Order would be laid bare, and priests would now be allowed to study the arcane. There would be new collaborations with the budding field of biomancy, where they would seek to learn new forms of healing. Orichalcum jewelry would be made freely available so that mages had less power over ordinary people.

Rostals Academy now boasted a thousand souls, and more dervish schools had opened up in Persama. Down that way, Dawns Peace, under the leadership of Ibrahim and his council, had reaffirmed its original mission. They would seek to reunite Persama, and build it to a new era of prosperity. The threat of famines faded as fields were replanted and the first new generation of druids graduated and spread out across Enteria to help create new artifice infrastructure powered by spirit-constructs.

In Akana Praediar, Sio Jherica had at last stepped back from power, having helped push through a number of reforms. By then, the rest of the Akanan army had finally all made it back to their home soil, except for the ones convicted of atrocities in the war. A few had been executed, but most had been sentenced to labor to rebuild what they had destroyed. The worst offender, of course, had been Liuan, who had instigated the war, but plenty of people had known the truth and still helped her along. Though many had been caught and convicted, it was certain some had escaped, easy as it was to hide in the chaos. The justice was, as all justice, imperfect.

Emera Cearsia was among those still serving. She had requested to help rebuild Alatishad, which had seen the worst destruction of the war. As a symbol, she wore two iron shackles on her wrists, and dutifully put them back on each morning for her work. Archmage Luspire, looking much older than he had even a few years ago, had moved down to the city to found a new magic academy there. He patiently waited for Cearsias labor to be done. Once a week, they met for dinner in the convicts barracks.

Lily Berton was now an apprentice to, of all people, Iliya Torres. The two of them had become interested in new applications of artifice to biomancy. Her first project was working on improvements for her enchanted glasses. Mirian visited to give a few pointers on what were now being called intermediate glyphsthose glyphs that were now known to interface directly with the soul, but didnt require a focus. Professor Marva had also joined in researching that, and Mirian heard there was a new class they were teaching about creating internal soul bindings.

Beatrice and her merry crew were back to investigating the Labyrinth, only after hearing from Mirian about exactly how absurd the Vaults were, decided to study econodes instead. With the new interest in myrvite spirit constructs, there was a great deal of interest in the exotic plants they contained, and they were significantly safer to access.

Little by little, econodes in Akana Praediar periodically rose up to disgorge myrvites. It might take a century for the populations to fully recover, but they were recovering, and faster than Mirian had expected.

They were helped along by robust new trade routes from Tlaxhuaco, which, thanks to Xecatls century of experiments and the new collaborations across the countries, were making great strides in replacing spell engines with spirit constructs. Some engines, like the kinetic engines on trains, were proving harder to replace than others. Little by little, the spellwards were coming down. It would still take many years to fully replace spell engines, but little by little, the eruptions were quieting. Her measurements began to indicate a downward trend in accumulated leyline energy.

Part of this was helped along by an unlikely man: Sylvester Aurum. Most of his fortune had been stripped away by both the collapse of the spell engine industry and Jhericas reforms. Workers councils now ran most of his former factories, but he had opened up one of his old estates to developing novel spirit constructs for replication, and continued to invest what he did have left in trade with their southern neighbor. When Mirian visited, she could hardly recognize him. Before, he had always had a rigid spine, constantly displaying his wealth and power, and his attitude had been one of stern propriety. Now, he opened up his last mansions dining hall to anyone who stopped by each evening. His abundance, it now seemed, was in friends and laughter.

Takoa and Semnol had broken away from Akana to become an independent confederation of united councils. Selesia had ended up staying, as had Valen. She heard secondhand that Valen was bragging to anyone she could talk to about knowing one of the prophets back in school. Someday, she might learn a little tact, but she was still young.

Mirian checked in on people as she could. Arenthia now hobbled about with a cane, but she and Lecne were in good spirits, and both enjoyed how Mirians statue of Zomalator in their new temple inspired both awe and terror in visitors. General Hanaran, having implemented several reforms in the new Baracueli Military, had retired to a nice farm. Nicolus left his farm and decided at last to join the new Baracueli legislature. Technically, various elected councils had to appoint him first, but Mirians public endorsement of his character made the results essentially predetermined.

Liuan remained trapped in her soul-prison on Luamin. Mirian had no desire to visit her to speak. There were no words that could adequately convey her anger over all the lives that she had wasted, nor could she see any path of redemption for the woman. Perhaps when she visited Luamin again, she would put her out of her misery. Until then, the least she could do was reflect on her sins.

***

The years trickled by. When Mirian next saw Zhuan, they both finally were able to grab some time for themselves.

Its been surprisngly difficult to adjust, Zhuan told her. I still have to restrain myself some days from taking an action because Im curious about the result, not because I think its the best economic or political maneuver.

Things are no longer so predictable, Mirian said.

There could be no rest for Zhuan in Benansuo, so theyd made their way to a little estate in northeast Zhighua where they were forced to find at least a little relaxation. Of course, old habits stayed with them, and for the first few days, they caught each other up on the various political situations. Then, they just spent time together.

One night, they were cuddled together on a balcony and Zhuan said, I can feel the difference in your soul. Its like if everyone elses soul is a gas, but yours is liquid.

Mirian held up a hand and let the light of the nearby glyph lamps play over it. If she wanted to, she could move her soul into objects she touched and control them, just like shed controlled the door on Luamin. She could mold her body with more fluidity than Professor Marva had ever dreamed of. She was even learning how to transmute the properties of her skin. She kept these developments to herself; she already came across as inhuman as it was. When shed talked to Eyeball and Conductor about her new ability, they were at a loss of how to proceed. There was no precedent for a human like her.

She suspected the path she was on was related to how myrvite biology had incorporated magic, and possibly, even what the Ascended had used to push their mastery of magic forward. Perhaps one day, she might be able to use herself as a way to create some of the micro-structured glyphs, like those on Luamin. She might even be able to make avatars to slide her soul into. For now, she was still nowhere near that, nor had she found a way to instruct others on how to change their souls the way she had. To Zhuan, she said, Theres always more to learn. Always new ways to grow.

In the distance, insects chirped. A myrvite frog croaked out a call. Have you made your decision yet?

Mirian brought her hand back and squeezed Zhuan. I told you. For now, Im staying here. We did this for Enteria. All of Enteria. I intend to see that history is bending towards the world we dreamed of. Besides, theres not exactly any other leyline experts out there. And I have a wonderful wife I want to spend at least one more lifetime with.

Zhuans eyes creased as she smiled, and she leaned her head on Mirians shoulder. Hm. And after that?

After Im not sure yet. Theres secrets yet on Luamin Id like to learn. That piece I brought back with me hints at ways of weaving glyphic crystals together in ways weve never dreamed of. I could spend lifetimes on developing new artifice. On studying the soul. On learning more about myrvite biology.

And you might. Me

The offer to find you a chthonic needle still stands. Theres unsolved mysteries in the Labyrinth, too, Mirian said.

Zhuan smiled. I know. But part of being human is letting go.

Mirian elbowed her. Thats funny, coming from you. You really dont want to join me in exploring beyond the stormwall?

My interest has always been in humanity. Im old now, you know. A realm full of Apophagorgas just sounds so tiresome.

But one day, youll have to leave Enteria to run itself. As will I. All we can do is prepare the next generations the best we can and hope it was enough.

They were silent again. Then Zhuan said, Those Vaults. All the final rooms are the same. You never saw that ninth god in your vision. Who is she?

Another mystery, Mirian said. The silver-gray reliquary focuses must be from her.

Three swords piercing her from the back. That remind you of anyone?

Mirian sighed. You know Im nowhere near their power.

Yet, Zhuan said.

Yet, Mirian thought. There was plenty to occupy her on Enteria, but how long would that last? Her eyes went back up to the stars. The void above. Shed seen glimpses from the Ominian. Other worlds. And those great voidships Xylatarvia had savedwere they all of humanity, or had more people made it to those other worlds among the stars? The void was so vast. No matter how much she learned, there was always more to discover. New heights of magic. New wonders. New beauty.

For now, she had Enteria. Had her friends and family to care for. Had the hundreds of people shed bonded with throughout the loop and wanted to be there for. Had Zhuan.

But after that

She had to admit, those stars did call to her.

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