When Pan came back to the goblin inn, with the leftovers from Sylvan's cooking, he had a smile on his face. He could still feel his grandmother's mana around him. Her kind warmth, the promise that she was smiling.
"Uncle Pan!" Michael's hug was like a balm to Pan. There was one person who he wouldn't have to convince that he was ready to turn a new leaf.
"Pan," Brandon did not come to him. He stood there, at the doorstep. His brown hair a mess, circles under his eyes.
"Brandon," Pan said, as he laid a hand on Michael's shoulder. "They are alive!"
Brandon blinked, not knowing about whom Pan spoke. Still, he made a step forward.
"My grandmother and grandfather. They are in a tree! They are alive!" Pan said, as he led Michael to Brandon. "I want to make them proud."
Brandon blinked, but he still closed the distance.