The journey back through the Shattered Lands was faster.
The Dawnblade seemed to know the way, guiding Lee through the reality warping chaos with unerring certainty. The demons that had lurked in the shadows fled from its light. The ghosts that had haunted the ruins bowed as it passed.
"You're different," Inyocha said, walking beside Lee. "The blade changed you."
"Maybe," Lee said. "Or maybe it just showed me what I already was."
"And what's that?"
Lee looked at his brother at the boy who had been thrown away, who had become a monster, who was now fighting to be something more.
"Someone who refuses to give up," Lee said. "On anyone. Ever."
Inyocha was quiet for a moment.
Then he smiled a real smile, warm and hopeful.
"Good," he said. "Because I'm going to need that."
They walked on.