The air still trembled with magic.
The last remnants of the majestic door in the sky faded, leaving behind only a brilliance that made even the sunlight seem pale.
And then — he stood among them.
Lord Varvatos, Supreme Being, had returned to Nyvaris.
The entire city was frozen in stunned silence. His appearance was overwhelming — his crystalline hair shimmered like a river of light, his very presence soothing hearts and stirring awe even in the strongest warriors.
Velzard was the first to move.
Tears streamed freely down her face — tears she did not hide. Her chest tight with emotion, she broke into a run, crossing the courtyard in a blur.
"Varvatos...!" she called out, voice cracking under the weight of her feelings.
Varvatos opened his arms wide, and Velzard collided into him, wrapping her arms tightly around his form, holding him as if she were afraid he might disappear again. She sobbed softly against him, trembling, overcome by love and relief.
"You really came back..." she whispered, pressing her forehead against his chest.
He simply smiled, the warmest smile imaginable, and rested his hand gently on her head. "I would never abandon you."
The crowd could no longer contain themselves.
The spell was broken.
"LORD VARVATOS!"
"WELCOME BACK!"
"WE MISSED YOU!"
Cheers and cries erupted all across Nyvaris. People knelt. Others wept openly. Some simply raised their hands to the heavens in silent gratitude.
Suddenly, a thunderous laugh shook the ground.
"HAHAHA!!"
Veldora, in his human form, crashed into the square in a swirl of wind and dust, landing with his typical lack of elegance. He sprinted forward like a child seeing his father again and grabbed Varvatos in a powerful hug, lifting him several inches off the ground.
"I thought you'd gone forever!" Veldora roared, tears glistening at the corners of his golden eyes. "You owe me centuries of adventure stories!!"
Varvatos chuckled softly, his voice rich and calming. "I'll make it up to you, Veldora."
The laughter and joyful chaos continued as more of his companions rushed to greet him.
Benimaru, ever the disciplined warrior, approached and knelt deeply, pressing a fist against his chest.
"Welcome home, my Lord," he said, his voice steady but his eyes wet with unshed tears.
Following him, Diablo walked toward Varvatos almost reverently. His usual composure broke for a moment — he knelt down, trembling, tears streaming down his face without shame.
"My Lord... I have awaited this moment," Diablo whispered hoarsely. "You have returned... as you always promised."
Varvatos gently touched Diablo's head, a gesture of affection that made the loyal demon fall fully to his hands and knees in pure gratitude.
From the side, a small shape barreled toward him.
"LORD VARVATOS!!!"
It was Gobta, jumping into his legs, clinging tightly, weeping and laughing all at once. Behind him, Rigur and Ranga arrived, both bowing low, tails wagging madly in Ranga's case.
"My Lord, welcome back!" Rigur declared proudly.
"We've kept everything safe for you!" Gobta added between sniffles.
Near them, Shuna approached, her pink hair flowing like silk. She knelt gracefully, head bowed, voice shaking.
"Lord Varvatos... we have longed for your return," she said, smiling beautifully through her tears.
Shion came right after — stomping forward, fists clenched — but when she reached Varvatos, her resolve crumbled. She grabbed the front of his cloak and pressed her forehead against it, trembling, whispering, "Don't you dare leave us again..."
Souei emerged next, silent as a shadow, kneeling low.
"We have protected your legacy, Lord Varvatos," he said simply, the pride hidden in his quiet voice.
The entire city seemed to breathe again, the collective tension melting away in a wave of pure, overwhelming happiness.
Suddenly — a ripple in the air.
A portal, shimmering with ancient, intricate runes, opened at the edge of the square.
It was not just any portal — it was crafted personally by Varvatos long ago, a hidden access point through the grand barrier that protected Nyvaris. Only someone he trusted fully could ever pass through.
Out from the portal stepped Elmesia.
Her royal gown flowed around her, and her silver hair caught the sunlight like a waterfall of starlight. Her emerald eyes locked onto Varvatos — and without a word, she ran toward him.
Her composure as Queen vanished in an instant.
"Varvatos!" she cried, voice thick with emotion.
She reached him and threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly, burying her face in his chest like a lost child finding home again.
"You promised... and you kept it...!" she sobbed, laughter mingling with her tears.
Varvatos embraced her warmly, one arm still around Velzard, the other pulling Elmesia in. He radiated comfort, strength, and love — the beacon the world had missed.
Velzard offered Elmesia a knowing smile, and the two women stood on either side of Varvatos, clinging to him like anchors to the heart of the world.
The citizens of Nyvaris roared in joy. Flowers rained from the windows, music started spontaneously from the squares. The ground itself seemed to hum with happiness.
And then, stepping forward proudly, Rigur raised his voice, which echoed across the plaza:
"Today, we feast!
Today is a day of celebration for the return of our Lord Varvatos!"
"A feast!" Gobta yelled, jumping excitedly.
"A feast worthy of the Supreme Lord!" Ranga barked happily.
The square exploded into cheers.
The kitchens of Nyvaris were thrown into chaos — cooks ran to their stoves, butchers brought out their best meat, bakers started pulling out trays of fresh bread and sweets. Musicians gathered with lutes and drums.
Today was not just another day.
It was the beginning of a new era.
The era of Lord Varvatos' return.
The sun had begun its descent behind the towering mountains of Nyvaris, bathing the vast city in a golden, amber light. The atmosphere crackled with joy, with reverence, and with disbelief — their Supreme Lord had finally returned.
After Rigurd's powerful shout — "Today, we feast! Today is a day of celebration for our Lord's return!" — the entire city erupted into motion.
Preparations for the grand celebration began immediately.
Long, polished wooden tables were pulled out into the massive central plaza of Nyvaris. Banners bearing Varvatos' sigil — a silver dragon coiled around a seven-pointed star — were unfurled from every rooftop. Magical lanterns floated into the sky, glowing in every color of the rainbow, casting a dreamlike glow over the city.
The citizens — beastmen, goblins, orcs, lizardmen, humans, demons, spirits — everyone, no matter their race, joined together as one.
Huge fires were lit.
Great cauldrons were filled.
The scent of roasted meats — boar, wyvern, giant fish — filled the air. Spices from all corners of the Cardinal World were used: sharp and savory scents of exotic herbs, honey-glazed fruits sizzling in pans, freshly baked breads rising in the ovens.
Children ran in circles, laughing, some wearing little wooden masks carved to resemble Varvatos — a small tradition that had somehow grown during his absence.
Musicians lined the plaza.
Minstrels with lutes and drums, bards singing songs of old victories, of the founding of Nyvaris, of the great deeds of the Lord they revered.
Beautiful melodies rose and danced in the air like spirits.
And there, at the heart of it all, stood Varvatos.
Still radiant.
Still sovereign.
His long hair shimmered like crystalline silver, gently stirring in a breeze that didn't exist. His eyes, those deep, wise eyes, held the weight of countless eternities, yet when he smiled — it was so kind, so warm, that it made even the strongest warriors tear up.
Velzard stood closely beside him, her hand lightly gripping the sleeve of his robe, as if afraid he would vanish again.
Veldora boisterously bragged about how he had "perfectly maintained everything" while Varvatos was away — though nobody quite believed him.
Benimaru, Diablo, Souei, Shion, Shuna, Ranga, Gobta, Rigurd — they all knelt before Varvatos again in a line, tears of loyalty and joy in their eyes.
And Elmesia...
Elmesia stood apart for a moment, watching quietly, her own heart pounding.
When Varvatos met her gaze and smiled gently, she bowed her head, smiling through glistening tears.
Then, Varvatos stepped forward.
With a simple movement of his hand, the plaza fell into complete silence.
Even the crackling of the fires seemed to hush in reverence.
He looked over his people — his family — every soul gathered in this moment.
His voice rang out:
"My beloved people of Nyvaris... my dear friends across the world... I have returned."
A surge of energy flowed from him, warm and protective, like the embrace of the earth itself.
"Many years have passed.
In my absence, you did not falter.
You did not abandon hope.
You did not forsake honor, loyalty, and compassion.
You have made me proud beyond words."
Varvatos paused, letting the words sink deep into their hearts.
"Today... I do not stand above you.
I stand with you.
We have built this world together — and together, we shall continue to protect it, to nurture it, to guide it into a future more glorious than any before!"
The cheers were immediate, thunderous, shaking the very ground.
"Let this day be a beginning — not an end.
Let this feast be a celebration — not only of my return, but of your strength.
Of your hearts.
Of the world we are destined to protect... as one."
He lifted his hand once more — and a wave of pure, gentle divine energy washed over the plaza.
It healed the sick. It invigorated the weary. It blessed every soul present, leaving a glowing mark on each heart, unseen but eternal.
Tears streamed freely down faces.
Even hardened warriors who had never bowed to anyone found themselves on their knees, overwhelmed by the love and majesty of their Lord.
The celebration began.
Rigurd personally brought forth the first barrel of aged Wyvern Ale, declaring, "To Lord Varvatos! Long may he reign!"
Shion, proudly showing off her cooking skills (which, miraculously, had improved), presented a massive roasted beast she claimed she hunted herself.
Ranga wagged his tail furiously as he lay beside Varvatos, content like a loyal wolf pup.
Benimaru and Souei stood near Varvatos like twin pillars, proudly watching over the festivities.
Diablo, with a rare broad smile, carefully arranged a gift offering of artifacts and rare gems before Varvatos' throne — a simple chair made of living wood and crystal, woven by Shuna and Gobta during his absence.
Children danced.
Singers sang.
The city of Nyvaris — for the first time in decades — was truly alive with pure, overwhelming joy.
Meanwhile, in the distant lands of the Cardinal World:
In Dwargon, Gazel organized a parade in honor of Varvatos' return.
In Sarion, Elmesia's Council sent tributes — enchanted silks, rare relics — even before Elmesia herself had left through the portal.
In the Ice Continent, Guy Crimson, with a rare softness, raised his glass high, alone in his grand throne room, whispering, "Welcome back, old friend."
Even the other Demon Lords — Leon Cromwell, Luminous Valentine, Milim Nava — each, in their own way, acknowledged the supreme being's return with awe and respect.
The world would never be the same again.
A new age had begun — and they all felt it, deep in their souls.