Chapter 71: A Final Farewell

**The Preparation**

By the next morning, Alex and his family had prepared and packed to head southwest through a mountain opening into the Forgotten Lands. The air was crisp, and the sky was painted with hues of dawn. Their cart was loaded, and the horses were ready for the journey ahead. But before they left, Alex turned to his family and said, "Wait for me. There's something I need to do."

**The Graveyard**

Alex walked through the village, his steps heavy with memories. He reached the graveyard, a place of quiet reflection and somber silence. He made his way through the rows of tombstones, each one marking a life that had once been. Finally, he stopped in front of a familiar stone that read, *Elandor HeartString*.

Alex kneeled down, his hand resting gently on the tombstone. "Hello, my old friend," he began, his voice soft and filled with emotion. "I can't believe the last time you were alive was over nine years ago. After all this time and all the adventures we've had, I've come to a conclusion that maybe it wasn't my fault."

**The Confession**

He paused, taking a deep breath. "On the day we fought in that labyrinth, I fought with everything I had. I used to tell myself that maybe if I was just a little stronger, I could have saved you. But maybe it wouldn't have mattered. You were my friend, and I know someday when I die, if I enter the kingdom of heaven—which I probably won't because you and I both have done a lot of bad things in our lives—but if I do end up there, I hope to see you beyond those gates waiting for me."

Alex's voice cracked slightly as he continued. "Well, anyway, I have a destiny I have to get to. I don't know if I will come back here, so this is my final farewell, old friend. I will be seeing you. Goodbye."

**The Departure**

With his final goodbye said, Alex stood up, a sense of peace washing over him. He made his way back to his family, who were waiting patiently by the cart. Thrain looked at him with concern. "Are you good, my boy?"

Alex nodded, a small smile on his lips. "Yeah, I was just saying goodbye to an old friend."

Thrain chuckled loudly, slapping Alex on the back. "Well, my dear boy, this journey is not done yet. There is a long road ahead of us."

**Onto an Adventure**

With a renewed sense of determination, Alex climbed into the cart with his family. As they set off, Thrain raised his voice, filled with excitement and adventure. "Here we go, onto an adventure!"

The horses began to move, pulling the cart away from the village that had been their home. The path ahead was unknown, filled with dangers and challenges, but also with hope and new beginnings.

**A New Chapter Begins**

As they traveled, Alex looked at his family—Lyra, Joan, Samantha, and Thrain—and felt a deep sense of gratitude. They were together, and no matter what lay ahead, they would face it as a family.

The journey into the Forgotten Lands had begun, and with it, a new chapter in their lives. The future was uncertain, but they were ready to face it together, with courage and hope.

This concludes Chapter Seventy-One.