The journey back to the Valley of Starlight took four days—faster than the trip to the Black Spire, since they didn't have to stop and hide from anyone, and Gray managed to stay awake for most of the mountain climb (though he still snuck in a few naps while leaning against the cart).
On the morning of the fourth day, they rounded the final bend in the path, and the valley came into view. Gray's heart lifted at the sight of the silver grass, the emerald trees, and the stars still twinkling in the pale blue sky. But as they got closer, he noticed something different—something he hadn't expected.
The small house he'd built was still there, but it looked… brighter. More alive. The blue-green flowers around the base had grown taller, their petals glowing with a stronger light. And above the house, dozens—maybe hundreds—of wisps were dancing in the air, their blue-green glow creating a shimmering cloud that looked like a cluster of tiny stars.
"Whoa," Aldric said, stopping the cart. "I've never seen so many wisps. Not in my life."
Gray stepped forward, his eyes wide with wonder. The wisps had multiplied—way beyond the handful that had stayed with him before he left. They were dancing over the stream, through the silver grass, and around the house, their light warm and welcoming. As soon as they saw Gray, a group of them flew up to meet him, dancing around his head and shoulders, their pulses quickening with what felt like joy.
"They missed you," Aldric said, grinning.
Gray smiled, holding out his hand for a wisp to land on. "I missed them too."
They walked down into the valley, and Gray noticed something else: new trees had sprouted up near the stream, their leaves shimmering like emeralds in the sunlight. The silver grass was thicker, softer, and glowed with an even brighter sheen. The stream's water was clearer than ever, and he could see small, glowing fish swimming in its depths—fish he hadn't seen before.
"It's like the valley got happier while you were gone," Aldric said, looking around in awe.
Gray nodded, feeling a warm glow in his chest. "I think it did. Maybe my magic is tied to this place now. Or maybe the wisps made it grow."
As they approached the house, Luna flew down from her nest on the cliff, her three chicks following close behind. She landed on the rock near the door, let out a loud chirp, and bowed her head—a gesture of respect Gray had never seen her make before. Her chicks copied her, their tiny heads bobbing up and down.
"Looks like you've got a fan club," Aldric said, laughing.
Gray walked over to Luna and held out his hand. She leaned forward and nuzzled it with her beak—gentle, despite her sharp claws. "Thank you," he said softly. "For watching over the valley while I was gone."
She let out a soft chirp in response, then flew up to the roof of the house, her chicks perching beside her.
They walked into the house, and Gray's eyes widened. The inside had changed too. The silver grass on the floor had grown thicker, forming a soft rug that felt like silk under his feet. The crystal window was brighter, letting in more sunlight and starlight. And on the bed—his bed with the six silk pillows—there was a small nest made of soft grass and wisp light, with three tiny, glowing eggs inside.
"The wisps built a nest," Aldric said, his voice barely a whisper. "They're having chicks."
Gray walked over to the bed and looked down at the eggs. They glowed with the same blue-green light as the wisps, their pulses matching the rhythm of the ones dancing around the room. He felt a strange sense of pride—like he'd helped create something beautiful, even if he'd just been trying to build a place to sleep.
"I guess this means I'm not the only one who's making this place home," he said, smiling.
Aldric set down the supplies from the cart and walked over to the window, looking out at the valley. "You know, I was thinking… the king asked me to take on a new role. He wants me to be the protector of the Whispering Mountains—make sure no one tries to find the valley, no one disturbs the peace you've built here."
Gray looked at him, surprised. "What about the Sixteen Greatest Swordsmen? What about your life in the realm?"
Aldric shrugged. "The Sixteen can get along without me. And my life… well, it's better here. With you, and the wisps, and Luna. I don't need tournaments or royal summons. I just need peace. Same as you."
Gray sat down on the bed beside the wisp nest, feeling a warm sense of gratitude. "You'd really stay here? With me?"
"Wouldn't be much of a protector if I left, would it?" Aldric said, grinning. "Besides, someone has to make sure you don't sleep through meals. And someone has to bring Luna her food every month. Though I guess now I'll have to bring extra for the chicks too."
Gray laughed—a real, full laugh that echoed through the house and made the wisps dance faster. "Deal. But you have to promise not to wake me up before noon. And if you carry me again, I'm still haunting you."
Aldric laughed too, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Deal. Now, how about I make us some stew? I brought fresh meat and vegetables from the realm—way better than the rabbit I cooked last time."
Gray's eyes lit up. "Stew? Now you're talking. I'll even stay awake to eat it."
They spent the rest of the day settling in. Aldric cooked the stew while Gray sat on the porch, watching the wisps dance and the chicks practice flying. Luna and her chicks sat on the roof, keeping watch over the valley. The sun set, but the stars were already visible, twinkling in the sky above the mountains.
That night, Gray lay in bed, the six silk pillows under his head, the wisp nest beside him, and the sound of the stream gurgling outside. The wisps danced around the room, their light warm and soft. Aldric was sleeping on a mat on the floor beside the bed—he'd insisted on taking the floor so Gray could have the bed to himself.
Gray closed his eyes, feeling more at peace than he'd ever felt in his thousand-year life. He'd found a home. He'd found a friend. He'd saved the world one last time, and now he could finally rest.
No more adventures. No more magic to fix. No more legends to live up to. Just sleep, and peace, and the soft glow of wisps in the night.
The Lazy Mage had found everything he'd ever wanted.
As he drifted off to sleep, he felt a tiny wisp land on his forehead, its light warm and ticklish. He smiled, and for the first time in his life, he didn't have a single worry.
Tomorrow, he'd sleep in. Maybe all day. And the day after that too. And that was exactly how he wanted it.