Standing in front of the towering monolith that served as the core of the second realm, Arthur and Josh prepared to go their separate ways.
Before they touched the monolith to initiate their transfers, Josh turned to face Arthur one final time. What Arthur saw on the boy's face took his breath away—it was one of the biggest and most genuine smiles he had ever witnessed. Despite everything that had happened, despite the terror and near-death experience, Josh's expression radiated pure gratitude and something that looked almost like wonder.
Gloss still coated Josh's eyes from the tears he had shed earlier, but now they seemed to shine with a different kind of emotion. When he spoke, his voice was broken but filled with an intensity that made Arthur's chest tighten.
"Arthur Kendrick."
