In the morning, Lily informed Emilia that she would be going back to Mia's estate for a time, to continue training there. The Head Priestess wasn't thrilled to hear that, but there wasn't much she could do about it. Personally, Lily was glad to get back to the manor. Their lodging in the temple was fine, but it compared poorly to the palatial space that was available at the Dawnheart residence. More importantly, however, she was happy that Mia would be spending more time with her family. She would not have much chance to do that in the future, as the girls would be moving to the capital.

  It took some time to get everything organized, so they arrived at the manor late in the day. Mia's parents were thrilled to see them, and a long discussion over dinner about the future followed. They were of course worried about Mia, but also proud that she would be following in their footsteps as an adventurer. They understood that Lily couldn't give many details about her mission, not because they were secret, but because she didn't know much yet herself. Instead, Mia and Eric started discussing their move to the capital. Eric suggested traveling along with one of his trading convoys, for safety, but Mia protested, believing that traveling solo was faster, and therefore safer. They agreed that girls would say at the family house where the Dawnhearts lived while Eric was on the council, but could not agree about the staff. In any case, Lily was happy to leave the details to her girlfriend, and she retired to her room.

  The sun had set, but the sky was clear, which was unusual for this time of year. Lily stepped out onto the balcony, and looked up at the stars watching from above. Was Earth out there somewhere? Before the ritual, she was sure the answer was yes, but now…

  Who knows how much time passed between her death and reincarnation? Decades or even centuries could have passed on Earth, which meant that everyone she had known was dead. It was silly in some ways to care about a world she would never see again when a whole new one stood in front of her, but she couldn't help it. She looked up to the stars for an answer, but they stayed silent, not caring about the mortals below.

  She went back inside, and found Mia sitting on the edge of her bed.

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  "You enjoy stargazing, don't you?" She asked and Lily nodded.

  "It reminds me of Earth," she answered, sitting down next to Mia. Her girlfriend saw the sadness in her eyes and heard the sorrow in her voice.

  "Can you tell me more about your world?" Mia asked softly. "It's ok if you don't want to."

  Lily remembered her dead parents, the life she had left behind, and her barriers fell.

  She had tried to appear strong, as a champion of a goddess should, but all the craziness had got to her. She had died and been reborn, and then she had killed another person that same day. She knew that she had had no choice, to save Mia and herself, but the thought of it still made her sick. She tried to answer Mia, but she couldn't stop herself from weeping.

  Mia saw her tears, and she moved closer to her, holding her girlfriend while whispering gently: "You are safe here dear, it's gonna be ok."

  "Earth is not a world of magic, and only humans live there," Lily started, but before she could continue, Mia grabbed her head gently, and pulled her into her lap. She wiped away Lily's tears, and the Earth girl continued her tale.

  She spoke of vast cities with mighty towers of steel and glass, of great rivers of people moving to and fro in their steel carriages. She spoke of terrible things, millions dying for the ambitions of sick men, horrifying weapons which could lay waste to the world and snuff out the light of humanity. She spoke of the cruelty of poverty, its sickly hand reaping the lives of children, while some had more than they would need in a thousand lifetimes.

  But she spoke of great and beautiful things too, works of art which could dazzle the mind and ignite the soul, great natural beauty everywhere, from the deserts to the great mountains, all conquered in the name of humankind. She spoke of liberties win against tyranny and oppression, paid for in blood. She spoke and she wept.

  Mia ran her fingers through Lily's golden hair, and she asked her many questions. She asked about the flying metal ships which could cross whole oceans in a day. She asked about the many nations, their customs and traditions. She asked about the sports they played and the holidays celebrated. She asked until Lily fell asleep in her lap and could not answer anymore.

  People are the same everywhere, I suppose. Earth might not have monsters, but it too has its villains and heroes, like any world, Mia concluded, as she placed Lily gently into bed. Her sleeping face showed no signs of the pain and fear from before, Mia thought, as she laid into bed next to her. The night was long, and she lost track of time as she watched the sleeping beauty, and hours passed before she too fell asleep.