Summer settles over Detroit. Thadeus and Elizabeth return to their house, where repaired walls, unpacked bags, and ordinary morning light slowly replace the castle’s dust.
At Electric Avenue, Elias relearns the rhythm of opening the shop, while Marla handles phone calls, inventory, and repairs with focused confidence.
Elizabeth Bathory
No omens, no collapsing castles, no ancient voices. Just breakfast, laundry, and deciding what to do with the afternoon.
Peacebringer rests in its disguised fountain-pen form inside a locked drawer. The Belmont Family Grimoire remains closed nearby, its unanswered mysteries waiting without urgency.
Across the Atlantic, Marcus stays with Sally near Beaconsfield, sending occasional messages about his investigation and the story he still intends to publish.
Elias
Marla’s doing well. Better than I was at her age, certainly. The shop may actually survive us both.
For the first time in months, the survivors are separated by distance rather than danger. Their lives become quieter, leaving Thadeus room to choose what comes next.
“Thadeus heads upstairs, stepping outside to his newly built balcony, and sees Elizabeth staring out in the distance. He walks up beside her, throwing an arm over her shoulder. Elizabeth slides an arm around Thadeus's back. Thadeus asks, "So what is next for us? What's our next journey?" Thadeus turns to Elizabeth and sees a pained look on her face. His tone shifts, "What's wrong, honey?" Elizabeth looks up to Thadeus, and asks, "What did my mother say to you? You know...before she passed?" Thadeus holds Elizabeth's hand, gently, replying, "She wanted you to know that she loved you, as misguided as her love was." Elizabeth eyes well up, but she doesn't cry. She nods, and looks back out in the distance. "I hope she finds peace, wherever her soul has gone."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Thadeus heads upstairs and steps onto the newly built balcony. Elizabeth stands at the railing, gazing across the quiet Detroit afternoon as summer wind moves through her hair.
He walks beside her and settles an arm over her shoulder. Elizabeth slides an arm around his back, sharing the silence as the house rests peacefully behind them.
Thadeus Jovanović
So what is next for us? What's our next journey?
Thadeus turns toward her and sees pain cross her face. His tone softens, and the question draws her attention from the distant horizon.
Thadeus Jovanović
What's wrong, honey?
Elizabeth Bathory
What did my mother say to you? You know... before she passed?
Thadeus gently takes Elizabeth’s hand, and she holds still as he gives her the truth he carried from that final confrontation.
Thadeus Jovanović
She wanted you to know that she loved you, as misguided as her love was.
Elizabeth’s eyes well, though she does not cry. She nods, looks back toward the distance, and keeps his hand in hers.
Elizabeth Bathory
I hope she finds peace, wherever her soul has gone.
Morning settled over the repaired house, softening the city beyond the new balcony. Elizabeth stood beside Thadeus, her gaze distant but no longer lost.
Elizabeth Bathory
What did my mother say before she died?
Thadeus Jovanović
That she loved you. She was misguided, but that love was real.
Elizabeth lowered her eyes, holding the words as carefully as anything they had carried from the castle.
Elizabeth Bathory
I hope she found peace.
Thadeus Jovanović
I hope so too.
Below them, Detroit returned to its ordinary rhythms. Elias and Marla worked at Electric Avenue, Marcus sent quiet updates from Beaconsfield, and the grimoire stayed closed while Peacebringer rested disguised as a fountain pen. Thadeus and Elizabeth remained together in the morning light, alive, recovering, and finally free to let the silence be peaceful.