It's time to say goodbye to the Stormborn Specials!
With this chapter, we close that arc and make way for the Children of the Dragon in the main storyline. The next time we see them, it won't be a special episode anymore—they'll be fully integrated into the plot. 🔥
If you want to follow their side story, you'll be able to read it in HPHM 44, though it won't have a major impact on the main story—it's more of a fun, comedic moment for those who want to enjoy it. And if you prefer to wait, get ready, because the Children are about to find Einar... though fair warning, it won't happen anytime soon. Patience! The best things take time. 😏
…
The group of young ones followed a rocky path that glowed softly with each step, as if the ground itself was welcoming them. With every step, they looked around with growing curiosity and excitement. The forest they had crossed earlier had already felt fantastical and cool, but this... this felt like they had stepped into something far older and more magical. The mountains, the structures, even the air was charged with a magical energy they couldn't ignore.
"Is this... heaven?" Sofie whispered, eyes wide with awe.
"No, dummy. If it were heaven, there'd be floating cakes," Lars replied in a know-it-all tone, though clearly impressed himself.
"And baby dragons licking your face while you sleep!" Lucia added excitedly, throwing her arms up as if she were already hugging one.
Despite the peaceful feeling, the sheer intensity of the magic around them kept them on edge. Even the most distracted among them could tell that this kind of power could become dangerous if unleashed the wrong way.
After a few more minutes, the path led them to a massive temple surrounded by flowers so perfect they seemed lovingly cared for by divine hands. And maybe they were—figures could be seen nearby… or rather, souls. Ethereal pairs of men and women walked together, tending to the temple in harmony. As the children passed, every spirit greeted them with a kind smile, as if welcoming long-lost family members.
"They're waving at us!" said Lucia, waving back eagerly. "Hi, nice ghosts!"
"How do you know they're nice ghosts?" asked Sissel.
"Because they're not flying at us with weapons," Lucia replied matter-of-factly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Sissel huffed and turned forward with a grumpy expression.
The eleven kids walked toward the temple entrance, a bit nervous, guided by the spirits who pointed the way.
"I don't know if I should be scared or not," Lars muttered with a tense smile, glancing at a ghost who winked at him.
"I'm 47% scared and 53% fascinated," said Samuel, eyes darting around the place.
"I've got a feeling I know where we are... but let's look around a bit more before jumping to conclusions," said Avento seriously, scanning every inch of the temple. It looked a lot like several temples found in Skyrim, which only made him even more cautious.
Before Runa could even reach out to touch the large doors, they opened on their own with a golden glow that made them all shield their eyes.
"Come in, my children," said a loving voice from within, warm and comforting like a soft blanket.
Sofie blinked. That voice… it sounded familiar. She tilted her head, trying to remember where she'd heard it before. Meanwhile, the older kids stepped in front protectively—just in case. Though honestly, it was hard to imagine anything in this place being hostile.
As soon as they stepped past the threshold, just a few feet in, they saw a woman sitting gracefully on a golden seat—though it was rather small and cushioned with fluffy pillows that made her look even more at ease.
Sofie instantly recognized her and let out a surprised "Ah!"
It was the same woman she had seen in the Temple of Mara. The one who looked so much like her father. The other kids also widened their eyes in shock. The resemblance to Einar was undeniable… but there were differences. This woman was blonde, with green eyes and a youthful face that didn't seem a day over twenty. Her smile, however, radiated a warmth that completely disarmed them.
"It's so good to finally see you in person," said the woman with a sweet smile.
"Who are you?" asked Blaise, frowning in confusion.
"It doesn't matter who I am. You can think of me as a pretty grandma," she replied with a charming chuckle. "And… possibly a terrible mother," she added with a hint of sadness.
The kids glanced at each other, more confused than ever.
"A grandma-mom? This is getting weirder by the minute," muttered Alesan.
"Wait—does that mean we're like… half magical ghost children?!" Hroar squeaked, equal parts excited and horrified.
"Of course not, idiot," Avento groaned, smacking his own forehead.
As they whispered among themselves, a new voice interrupted from behind them.
"It's not your fault," said a calm, masculine voice entering through the door behind the children. "I already said it—you can blame it all on me. I made a poor choice."
He was a tall man with an imposing presence. His golden armor looked like it was made of fine scales that moved like leather but held the strength of the finest steel. His platinum white hair gleamed under the temple's light, and his golden eyes—with slit-shaped pupils—watched them with a mixture of seriousness and regret. His beard, though short, was perfectly groomed. His stern face commanded respect... but also bore a weight of guilt he couldn't hide.
"You're right. It is your fault," the woman said calmly.
The man fell silent for a moment, then nodded with a sigh.
"Sir! Are your legs all better now?" Lucia suddenly asked, recognizing him as the man she had seen earlier on the street.
"My legs… yes, they're much better. Thank you for your concern, little one," he replied with a gentle smile.
"I must apologize to all of you, but you can't stay here much longer," the man then said, turning serious once again.
Seeing his wife's displeased expression, he swallowed hard and hurried to explain.
"Your bodies wouldn't be able to withstand the magicka of this plane for too long. Right now, you're protected by a blessing... but if you remain here much longer, you'll end up like the residents outside."
"Transparent and floating?!" Lars asked quickly. "I don't want to float forever! I haven't even learned how to kiss yet!" he added, causing several to laugh.
"Is that so…?" the woman murmured, lowering her gaze sadly.
"So we have to go back?" Lucia asked, disappointed. "But... Sheo didn't just steal my cheese, he also closed the portal," she added bitterly.
"Sheo?" the man asked, with the faintest hint of jealousy in his tone.
"Don't worry," the man said, regaining his composure. "I'll help you get where you need to go."
"Can you also open portals and get stolen cheese back?" Lucia asked excitedly.
"One thing at a time, little one…" he replied with a resigned smile.
"So you can send us to our dad?" Sofie asked, stepping forward before the others, who were just about to ask the same thing eagerly.
"It's too soon for that…" the man began, but before he could finish, his wife gave him a sharp, warning look. He stopped, swallowed, and corrected himself:
"Yes. I'll send you to your father."
That was enough. Too much time had passed keeping the children away from their father… or their father away from them.
"Great!" Sofie exclaimed with a little hop of joy.
The man extended a hand toward a corner of the room, and slowly, a golden portal began to form. The light sparkled like liquid fire, swirling and expanding until it was large enough for all of them to pass through together.
"I hope you have a fun journey. And please, tell him we're very sorry. Ask him to forgive us for not being by his side…" the woman said, her voice full of sorrow. "A powerful soul can harm more fragile ones if not careful."
"Tell him we've always protected him from where we could," she added fondly.
"Also tell him that, once he learns to control his power, he'll be able to come here. Or return to his world… It won't be long before his body fully accepts that power," said the man, his gaze firm.
The children didn't understand every detail, but they understood enough: they were talking about Einar.
"So… we're leaving?" Avento asked calmly, eyeing the man and the woman with narrowed eyes, as if he recognized something in their faces he couldn't quite put into words.
"Goodbye, pretty grandma," said Lucia with a wide grin, remembering how the woman had introduced herself earlier.
"Thanks for not turning us into ghosts!" added Alesan before stepping into the portal.
"Goodbye," the woman said, her smile full of tenderness.
One by one, the children stepped through the golden portal, laughing, bumping into each other, and making noise right up until the last second—like a small whirlwind of pure energy. At last, they vanished, and the portal closed behind them with a soft flash.
The man let out a deep sigh and turned to the woman with a serious expression.
"How many blessings did you place on them?" he asked directly.
"All of them," the woman replied, with a calm that bordered on teasing.
"All of them?" the man repeated, somewhere between disbelief and resignation.
"I'm sure Dibella added a few too… you know how she is. Probably blessed the girls with beauty, and the boys… well, no need to say what she'd do," she said, shaking her head as if talking about a mischievous old friend. "Also… I sensed Talos's presence. They probably ran into him along the way."
The man ran a hand slowly down his face and across his beard.
"You gods are unbelievably troublesome… Giving blessings in person isn't the same as doing it at a temple," he grumbled, exhausted. "Not even our son has that many blessings…"
"Maybe you should check his records again," the woman murmured with a mischievous smile.