The tunnels to the other realms all looked long, dark, and unwelcoming. Scarlet found herself feeling suddenly unsure of her plan, but she put on a brave face.

“These are the Halls of Adventure!” said Juliet. The others looked at her awkwardly. “…It’s a name in progress.”

“But which one goes to the Berry Realm?” asked Eloise.

“You want to take that furthest tunnel and then keep to the left.”

“May I have one more hug before you go?” asked the Reaper.

“Of course!” Eloise gave her father a big squeeze. Noticing her mother’s frown, she gave her one last big hug too.

“If you need anything at all, you know how to find us, right?” Death said sternly.

“Yes, I remember.”

“Good. Off you go now before you make your mother cry.”

“Goodbye!”

“I could never just up and leave you and mother. Besides, I’ve only just left my room after almost a decade. I don’t know if I’m in any shape to just suddenly leave everything behind!”

“But you don’t have to leave forever! You can always come back! No matter where you go, you know we can always find you eventually.”

“Yes, that’s true…”

“You can use the tunnels I built for your mother so that she could visit the other realms while I was working. In fact, I’m pretty sure she bought a little house in the Berry Realm because it reminded her of her childhood home. You would both fit in perfectly with the berry sweets and it would be much safer for you.”

Berry Realm? I’ve never heard of it.”

“It’s a realm full of sickeningly sweet rainbow humanoids with names like PrissShirazCarnation, Glitter, Catnip, Confetti, TranquilHannah Banana, Vio-”

“Okay, I get it,” Eloise said with a laugh. “They sound absolutely magical.”

“They are your mother’s absolute favourite.”

“You know what I think we should do?” asked Scarlet, suddenly full of vigor.

“No…” replied Eloise with a smile and look of confusion.

“We should leave! Start over, just you and I! No crazy mothers, no sad past! It would be amazing!”

“That would be nice but you know I can’t do that.” 

As Eloise spoke, the Grim Reaper materialized before them. “Actually, I think that would be good for you after everything you’ve been through.”

“Oh hello, father!”

“Hello Mr…um…Death.”

The Lady of the Lake was summoned to help heal Eloise’s pain. The swim to through the canals to the Underworld was not easy for her, but she endured it so that she could aid the sweet girl his son had told her so much about.

“She is resting now…I have done what I can,” she said, closing Eloise’s bedroom door behind her. “One of her eyes was severely damaged, but it should still be functional. The burns on her face should heal nicely due to the way they were inflicted, but she is going to be left with permanent scars. I am sorry.”

While Phyra and Scarlet fought, it was the Reaper who had found Eloise hunched over in agony on the ground. He was saddened to see his daughter in such a state. However, at the same time, it was something he had seen countless times before. Death was no stranger to terrible pain and suffering. The Reaper slowly picked Eloise up as gently as he could and opened a portal home.

After a long silence, Juliet finally spoke. “I spent most of my life laying in bed because I was sick from the very start. I’ve had a lot of time to think about what might happen when it was time to say good-bye. I pictured myself living in the clouds, meeting the Sun Goddess, and finally escaping my pain when I died,” she said.

The Reaper stayed silent, nodding his head.

“However, I’ve always had a thirst for adventure that I was never able to quench. And you know what? I cannot think of a better adventure than journeying to the Underworld with Death himself.”

“Then it is settled!” the Grim Reaper exclaimed. “We will leave immediately!”