“So you look like someone hit you with a truck a few dozen times over, has it really been that bad without me?” Jen asked, smiling at her husband.


    “Yeah, well, I’m the gentle one in our marriage, so think how angry you’d have been if they had me instead and Ralth instead,” Stan replied. Jen just nodded back.


    “The worst part about their attacks was I could smell the gas. I just had no way to make it out of the caves quick enough to do anything about it. I came close in this loop. You know, it was kind of nice when I mostly knew what the future was bringing here. Now I almost feel like a useless kid again,” Ralth said.


    “Welcome to all of our worlds. No matter how much stronger we seem to get, it just doesn’t really matter yet. There are new things to figure out, new giant problems. Everything constantly grows,” Stan said.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    “I heard Cal talking about taking a year to heal, and considering how you sound and I feel, I have to imagine everyone else is in a similar boat, and even after that, I think we need a vacation loop,” Jen said.


    “There’s a very nice secluded beach I know of, lots of mostly untouched caves. I think I’ll talk to Cal about setting up a future gateway there. We all need more relaxation time. I find myself hard-pressed to hold back the rage against the agency, though. Not even for myself, how they hurt all my friends,” Ralth said, sighing loudly.


    “Well, the good news is you won’t have to hold it back once we resume the war,” Stan said, giving his son a smile. He was glad everyone was back, and one day he’d find his other missing son as well.