Epilogue

This is it, ladies and gentlemen. The last ever chapter of this sequel. I hope you all have enjoyed the ride and that this is a satisfying conclusion to this story.

Here we go!

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It was a warm spring night. Snow still clung to life in the shadows of buildings, out of sight from the sun, but flowers were beginning to bloom and the birds were starting to return home. Farmers had been busy all day preparing fields for the new seeds and mothers had spent all evening trying to herd their children back inside after a long day of playing. Crickets were buzzing for the first time all winter and fireflies were flashing their unknown signals to one another under the comforting shade of trees. A calm breeze carried the scent of new life through New Eladea and the moon was at its full glory, shining its brilliant silver light over the bustling city.

This night in particular, though, was special. This night had mothers forcing their protesting children into suits and dresses, and fathers carefully dusting off the suits they had worn on their wedding day. The anticipation for this night had been bubbling all week, all month in fact. Some had said that this might be the most important night of their lives. Yes, this night was special indeed. For up in the great castle that overlooked the busy city, there was to be a party. And everyone was invited.

Lit by lantern light, a line of people trailed all through the city, waiting for their turn to get in. The castle was already ignited with activity, and it would only get more crowded as the night went on. People were talking in quiet whispers, marveling at the fact that every citizen of the city was welcome to attend this grand party. It had simply never been done in all of Eladea history. But still, there was excitement in the air, buzzing around the heads of all the participants.

Yes, this was a very special night and an even more special party. For the Queen of New Eladea has gotten married.

Having been engaged only for a few weeks, the ceremony had taken place early in the morning and only those specifically invited by Her Majesty were allowed to attend. But tonight, the Queen had invited every person that lived in the kingdom to a grand party to celebrate her union and the inauguration of a new King.

Yes, it was one exciting day for all.

The party had begun to make its way out of the outer walls of the castle, and would no doubt spread into the city beyond as more people filed through, all intent on presenting their offering to the newlyweds.

Everyone seemed to be having the greatest time of their lives, drinking and dancing and laughing, celebrating their rulers. Enemies were settling their differences for the night, and friends were acting more like family. All but one. For up in that great castle, on the grand balcony connected to the ballroom (created for ease of access for dragons), there stood a Prince. And the Prince, all alone outside of the bustling party, looked to be deep in thought as he stared out at the moonlit shadow of his kingdom.

This Prince's eyes hold a certain weight that can only be obtained when a person goes through something they shouldn't have, when they've done things and seen things that would make any other person break. He stares forward with a youthful face but forest-green eyes that seem to be three times his age. His hands are scarred and gnarly, some of his fingers obviously having been broken and not healed back perfectly in place. There's a light stubble on his face, and his hair is buzzed short on the sides, small details having been shaved deeper into his scalp, with a tuft of dirty blonde locks perched on top of his head. He doesn't look like a boy barely in his 20s, he looks like a man, seasoned by the trials of life and loss.

The Prince stands on the balcony, the tail on his formal suit waving in the wind, and he thinks.

"What are you doing out here?" A kind voice calls as the large double doors are shut gently behind her.

"Just getting some fresh air." He replies without turning around. His voice has a slight gravel to it that it didn't have a few months prior, a telltale sign of irreversible damage having been done to it.

"Really? I would have thought you would be in there getting 'as drunk as Cooter Brown' as Ren says." She laughs, her high heels clacking lightly as she makes her way over to him.

"Who's Cooter Brown?" He asks with a smirk.

"No idea, but apparently he's really drunk." She replies with her own smile. She reaches the railing and places her hands gingerly on it, looking out at the kingdom.

"I would have thought you would already be pretty drunk yourself. Or maybe dancing the night away. At least, that's how I heard you were during the bridal shower." He says with an amused look on his face.

"You know I hate crowded parties, and you know I hate getting drunk. I just did this to unite us and the citizens. And hey, how did you hear about what happened at the bridal shower?" She asks, shoving an accusatory finger in his face. He finally turns to look at her with a small laugh.

"I have my ways." He says, wiggling his eyebrows before letting out a laugh when she playfully shoves him.

"Whatever happened to Girl Code?" She mutters to herself as they turn to look back at the view. They fall silent, listening to the muffled sound of the music and the people enjoying themselves.

"You should get back in there. It's your party, after all." He says after a long moment. She gives him a long, scrutinizing look before shrugging.

"Nah, I'm good here for the time being. I needed the break anyway. Goddesses know that I've been running non-stop for the past two weeks to get ready for today."

"How was it, then?" He asks, looking at her. "Was getting married everything you ever hoped it would be?" She leans into him, hugging his arm.

"Oh, yes, Muffin," She says almost dreamily. "And so much more."

"I'm glad." He says simply.

"Thank you for bringing me down the aisle. It was really sweet of you." She whispers.

"Of course, Sage. Anything for my big sister on her big day." It's quiet for many moments. "I know I already have said it like a dozen times today, but you looked really beautiful," She detaches herself from him but keeps within an arm's distance. "You still do," He remarks with a smile.

In fact, the Queen of New Eladea had been more than just beautiful, she had looked stunning. Every person in the city knew it, despite only having seen a glimpse of her as she walked from the innards of the castle to the venue out in the woods. Her dress had fluttered around her like a living thing, the tails of her gown having been tinted the slightest shade of green. There had been lace and jewelry and her hair had been done up in the most fantastic way. When she walked up the aisle you could see the way the groom's face both flushed and went pale at the same time, and he looked as if he would almost faint right on the spot as his eyes filled to the brim with tears.

Now she had chosen to adorn a more casual, yet still jaw-dropping outfit. It was more of a suit, with still some flowy elements to it, with accents the same color as her brand new husband's suit. Her hair was down and flowy, with a beautiful dragon clip that had been gifted to her from her lady-in-waiting, Terrona. Liam's suit went well with his sister's as well, the colors playing well off of each other and the style being similar.

Needless to say, it had been an exhaustingly fabulous day for all.

"Thank you." She replies quietly. "You didn't look so bad yourself, in your tuxedo. I'm pretty sure I saw Rowdan blushing pretty hard earlier this morning." She winks at him. He scoffs and shoves at her shoulder, hiding his face to get the pink forming on his cheeks under control.

"And this new hairdo too!" She runs a hand through the fluffy tuft of hair on his head that hangs across his forehead, ruffling the soft strands. She smiles and folds her arms. "I'll admit, I miss the long hair. It was all you ever wanted as a kid, but this new look suits you."

"Yeah, I almost got thrown out of the castle yesterday 'cause no one recognized me," He says with a chuckle.

"Ha! I would have liked to see that." The conversation falls into a comfortable silence as they stand side by side, listening to the party continue behind them and the soft sounds of the spring night.

"So, where's your date? I would have thought he would have been wrapped around your finger the whole night." Sage asks after a long moment, bumping into his shoulder.

"Ok, first of all, it was one picnic. We're not dating. And second, he's not my date. He can do whatever he wants." Liam says with a huff. Sage hums with a smirk.

"Yes, I see. Not dating. Got it. But uh, just to clarify, you guys aren't planning on a second date? Or perhaps a third? Fourth?" He sputters, his cheeks going bright red as she smiles triumphantly.

"Ok, ok, maybe we're talking about dating but we aren't uh...doing it. Yet." He says, clearing his throat to gain back control of his voice.

"Right. So...have you guys kissed?" She rests her arms on the railing and sets her chin in her palms, looking up at him with big eyes.

"Sage!" He exclaims, the flame on his cheeks reaching up to his ears. He opens and closes his mouth like a fish, speechless. "Why would you even- what makes you think- I don't- how-"

"Relax, I'm just messing with you, I didn't expect an answer. Unless...?"

"Sage!" He complains again.

"Right! Sorry, sorry." She pauses for a beat. "He's a good guy, Liam. Out of all the people you could have picked, I'm glad it's him. But if he hurts you, I don't care that he's three times the size of me, I will dropkick him into the next century." She says with a dangerous edge to her voice. Liam laughs and throws an arm around her shoulders.

"I'll make sure to pass the message along."

It's silent for many minutes, the two siblings finding comfort in being in each other's presence. Life had gotten so crazy after the war that they had had very little time to just be with one another. Every interaction they had, had been strictly business related. Domestic conversations had been kept to a minimum, and the few times they had decided to do something together they found that they both were so tired they could barely hold a legible conversation, let alone have fun. Not only had there been logistics to work out, with the city being rebuilt and the influx of immigrants from Cald Feri, but they both had to spend time healing.

Sage more than Liam of course. She had to go through multiple months of physical therapy to gain full range of movement again, and even now she's still trying to gain her sword fighting skills back after the long hiatus, and she still can't walk long distances or run short ones. Liam on the other hand had to nurse many fractures, cuts, bruises, a missing tooth, and a few strain injuries. He was feeling better, despite the bit of soreness still in his legs, but his hands still hadn't healed completely. Nasty scars wove valleys and mountains through the back of his hand and his knuckles. It hurt to clench his fist sometimes, due to a few of his dislocated and broken fingers not healing back in their original spot, but he could manage.

Their tranquility was broken by the doors being violently kicked open, light and noise flooding onto the abnormally large balcony. They turn, jumping a bit, to see who had interrupted them.

Two rambunctious, little dragons lay wrestling on the ground, just outside the door's threshold. They had grown significantly bigger in the past few months, Owl and Kire's back reaching one's knees when they were standing, and their sister not far behind. The sister in question, Moonwatcher, was simply standing next to the crazed hatchlings, watching them with a sort of amused detachment. She looks up at the Queen and Prince and tilts her small head slightly before offering a sweet dragon smile.

"Wait! You two! Stop!" Kate comes running over, hands on her knees as she pants. She leans against the doorway and reaches a tired hand out. "Can you guys please stop wrestling for two seconds and just behave!" She scolds before her eyes drift over to the two bodies standing at the railing.

She straightens quickly, pulling her silver breastplate into place, and subtly fixing the purple cape on her back. She stands at attention, despite the teasing grin Liam sends her way.

"My Queen! I uh- I didn't know that uh you were out here. My apologies I didn't mean to intrude I was just...um..." Sage puts a hand up, silencing the girl.

"Please, for the hundredth time, just call me Sage. And there's no need for all the formalities. That's only for formal occasions, this is a casual celebration. Tonight, I'm your equal." She responds with a warm tone, elbowing Liam in the side when he sticks his tongue out. "Did you get stuck on hatchling duty all on your own?" She raises her voice slightly over Liam's whining.

"Nope! Not all on her own!" Another voice calls, jogging into view. He leans against the other side of the doorway, panting even heavier than Kate had been. He straightens, taking in a deep, calming breath. "This was a job for both of the newbies." He says with a goofy smile.

"Xandere! I thought you were still supposed to be taking it easy!" Liam says with a chuckle, walking over the meet the boy, making sure to step over the still-wrestling dragons.

"Yes, well, the boss thought it would be good for me to get out." He says with a laugh. Liam throws a brotherly arm over his shoulders and ruffles his hair. This forces a laugh out of the younger boy. "And plus, Lucy told me I spend too much time in that kitchen. Though, I had to get my Pops to help me with the suit. I think we did a pretty good job!" He spreads his arms out, presenting his outfit to the rest of them.

One of his sleeves was longer than the other, and his buttons were off. His pants were too long and hung over his boots, and his tie was crooked, but Liam still nodded approvingly. "I think it suits you perfectly, Xan"

Xandere beams up at him, before finally turning to Sage and giving a slight bow her way.

"How are you feeling?" Sage asks him.

"Better than ever! The Head Cook has even let me start carrying some of the heavy ingredients!" He says with a happy bounce in his heels. Xandere had taken up work in the royal kitchens simply to get by once the war had ended, but over time had grown to love baking. And he had gotten extremely good at it, too. His goods were the only ones Sage or Liam ever wanted to eat during feasts and dinners.

"That's great! I'm sure you'll be opening your own bakery in no time." Kate remarks.

"Yeah! As long as you promise to still send us those muffins of yours. They're divine." Liam says, extracting his arm from around the boy.

"Oh, and the croissants!" Sage adds.

"And the apple pies, they're my favorite." Kate continues.

"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, I assure you guys. But if I do, I'll make sure to send regular deliveries up here." Xandere says with that joyful laugh of his. Sage sighs, settling against the railing as the three continue to tease each other, the hatchlings still playing with one another at their feet.

After the death of Reid, Liam had become reclusive, burying himself in any work available, despite his healing body. With Sage having to relearn how to walk, many responsibilities fell onto him until she could get better, and he had done all of them without any help. When he wasn't working, he was holed up in his room, doing who-knows-what. Sage definitely didn't. But in reality, he had been crying. Crying and breaking things and throwing curses into the sky until his voice grew hoarse because he didn't know how else to grieve. He was miserable.

It was Xandere and Kate that dragged him out of the worst of that dark hole. While Sage had spent almost every hour of every day trying to relearn the most basic of human functions, Xandere had been forcing Liam to come to try his newest concoction. It was Kate who had dragged him by the ear out of his room to take a walk through the construction in the lower town. It was the two of them who had come up with schemes to get Liam out of meetings and conferences to go frolic around the woods.

Despite the hurt that Kate was feeling, her new station as a Knight and the act of trying to help Liam gave her an objective to focus her energy on. Xandere would get together with the woman simply to talk about their newest way to get Liam out of his room, and that had given her hope.

Xandere was a bumbling, clumsy, awkward goof that had crashed into their lives with all the grace of a high panda. But unbeknownst to him, he had saved both Kate and Liam from themselves.

Sage still beat herself up over the fact she had not been there for her brother, but she could not be happier to see him have these friends whom he could rely on. Though there was a small pang in her chest at the thought that while she had been absent he had found a new family. A brother and a sister who was there for him when she couldn't be. The backs of her eyes burn with unshed tears as she watches them double over in laughter at something stupid one of them had no doubt said.

He wasn't that helpless little boy who cried in his room after being made fun of for his hair. He wasn't that little kid who she had to protect from both their own father and the cruelty of the world.

He had changed. He had learned the hard way of the heartbreak that existed in this world. And he had learned of true friendship, of a support system that loved you unconditionally when your own sister isn't there for you.

He really didn't need her anymore, did he?

She watches as he bids the two of them goodbye, with promises to meet up later. The two of them herd the three hatchlings off of the balcony and quietly shut the door, the noises and light of the party muffled once more. Liam turns with a smile still on his face and makes his way back to her, but he falters.

"Are you alright? Is something hurting?" His eyebrows furrow and he holds his hands out as if she were about to collapse right then and there.

"No, no, I'm fine. I'm just," She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand and pauses to search for the right words. "Basking." She decides, turning to lean over the railing once more. He comes to stand beside her once again.

"In what?" He asks with a raised eyebrow. She sighs and leans into him, hugging his arm.

"You. Us. Them. Everything, really." She answers calmly. Liam's face scrunches in confusion. What had gotten into her? She never gets teary-eyed. Was something wrong?

"You sure you're alright?" He asks hesitantly, patting her hands.

"Yes, I'm sure. I'm more than alright, in fact." She says, her voice thick with emotion.

"Oh, alright then." He responds, still confused. He decides to give it up, realizing women will just never make sense to him, and places a kiss on the top of her head.

They grow silent once more, simply watching the night before them. The moon was now high above their heads and the party had started to make its way into the town. The sounds of people laughing and talking drifted up from the streets, silhouettes of bodies shifting the faint lantern light. A chilly breeze blows past, carrying some of the last fighting remnants of winter. It had been a bitter one, cold and snowy and unforgiving, but they had made do. After all, a bad winter had nothing on the hell they had gone through just prior.

And now that the snow had melted, the townspeople had begun work on the city again, and almost a quarter of the houses and shops had been rebuilt. They had gained extra help of course, after there had been an influx of immigrants from Cald Feri once word got back of what had happened here. Many thousands of people wanted nothing to do with the kingdom anymore, and the citizens of New Eladea welcomed them with open arms.

"How are you doing?" Sage asks after it had been quiet between them for a long time. "I haven't asked in a while."

"Im...making do," Liam replies, deciding not to lie to his sister. "Taking it day by day."

"And Kate? Amber? I haven't had the chance to talk to them about everything." Sage continues, separating from him to look at his face.

"Kate's taking it better than Amber, I think. She just...lost her best friend and her dad on the same day. At least V was just a good friend to me, but I can't imagine what she must be feeling." He glances at her. "And you. I mean, you knew him even before she was born. You guys were basically siblings." Sage looks out at the horizon, her eyes heavy.

"It's been hard, but I and Ren have made peace with it. It was never supposed to happen this way. Dragons live longer than humans by centuries, but we know he wouldn't have wanted us to waste away our lives wishing that day had gone differently. He made his choice, and we should honor that." She explains. At that moment they watch as the dark silhouette of Amer glides across the sky, coming to a perch on the tallest tower of the castle, right beside where Viserion used to keep watch.

A statue had been erected at that exact spot, a depiction of him just as he would be almost every day: keeping a protective watch over the kingdom. Mothers had started telling stories to their frightened children at night, telling them that if they were ever scared just to look up to that statue and know that a mighty dragon was keeping watch and that no harm would come to them. Sage hoped the children believed it.

It was next to this statue that Amber spent most of her days, keeping watch just as her father had done before her. It was rare to see her come off of the perch. When she did it, it was either to speak to Liam, Kate, or her family. Other than that, she never left it. They weren't even sure if she ate anymore.

"What about Mishyca? I haven't gotten the chance to speak to her much." Liam asks, tearing his gaze from his lonely friend.

"She's doing ok. She's trying to focus on the triplets right now, but we're trying to work through her pain together." Sage answers. He nods thoughtfully.

Other than V's memorial, there was another statue that had been newly created in the past few months. Like the famous stone Lance in the courtyard, this was another that had become famous among the people. It was in the same square that Reid used to sell handmade ornaments in for some loose change.

It was a stone depiction of when Reid saved a man's life, the act that had ultimately killed Reid. The amateur healer had been described by the man as cradling his head against their own chest to protect him from the hailstorm of arrows, their full body acting as a shield against the death that rained upon them, even as one lodged itself straight into the teenager's spine. So the scene had been carved delicately into the stone, a plaque having been placed at its base. The plaque read:

"This statue depicts the heroic acts of Reid Jackson during the Battle for New Eladea. This monument is also dedicated to all of the brave warriors who both risked their lives and lost them in that gruesome battle. May their sacrifice never be forgotten. Long Live New Eladea."

Every day for the last multiple months there had been flowers, candles, and slips of paper filled with names, sketches, and stories of people who had died that day all placed at the base of the statue. And every day since the creation of the landmark there was always a person or two crying for their lost loved one. And almost every day either Sage or Liam made a trip down there to comfort those in grieving, read the stories of the lost warriors, and honor the dead.

Liam holds Sage's hand as they grow quiet once more, gazing at the scattering of stars ablaze in the sky. Eventually, though, Liam takes in a breath and turns to his sister.

"Sage, I need to tell you something." His voice shakes a little, his eyes darting around.

"What is it?" She puts a hand on his shoulder. "You know you can tell me anything."

"I know, I know. I just...I haven't know the right time to tell you and I guess this time is as good as ever since I might not get another chance in a while. So, here it goes." He sucks in a breath. "I'm leaving."

Sage feels her chest compress, her heart skipping a beat, her breath catching, but she refuses to lose her cool. He's an adult, he can make his own choices.

"To where?" She asks cautiously.

"Willow Isle. I've been thinking about it for a long time now, and I realize that I just have to get away. It won't be forever, of course. This is still my home, it always will be. But it's just that every day I look out my balcony window, and I see that statue of Reid. And as amazing as it is, it reminds me of everything that we lost. It reminds me of that horrible day. The blood, and the screams, and the death, and the things I did..." His voice catches, his eyes filling with tears as he looks down at their conjoined hands.

Liam had told Sage every detail of that day a few months prior, of all the things he had done. He had cried and cried and she had held him, telling him that everything was ok and that she didn't blame him. It had been an important night, for it was that night that the both of them had recounted their separate traumas and journeys of those two months that they had been separated.

"Every morning I relive that day and every day it gets harder to get out of bed. You and everyone else have been amazing at helping me, but I just have to take a break for a bit. So much happened here and I don't think I can deal with waking up every morning to see those places without taking some time to heal. Kate's going to stay, as well as Amber and everyone else. I just need some time away from...everything."

It's silent for a long time.

"Ok," Sage says.

"Just... 'ok'? Really? That's it?"

"I mean, what do you want me to say? You should do what's best for you, and if you think that is taking some time to focus on healing, then you should do that. I want you to be happy, and if you aren't right now because you're here, then I think you should leave." She looks up at him. "But I don't think you should do it alone. Isn't there someone...?" She trails off.

"Well, uh, Rowdan invited me to stay with him while I'm there..." He looks away and rubs the back of his neck, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. Sage smiles faintly. She could tease him right now, but she decides not to. Now's not the time. Later, though. Definitely later.

"Good. He's a good guy. He'll take good care of you." Liam breathes out a heavy breath.

"I'm so glad you're behind this. I for some reason thought you were going to be mad at me." He chuckles. Sage grins and crosses her arms.

"It's not me you're going to have to answer to. It's your niece. Kira's going to be livid with you leaving." Liam laughs harder.

"Oh boy, I'm really in trouble, huh? I'll make sure to send her plenty of letters that you can read to her. And maybe I'll include one or two for you." He teases. She throws her head back in laughter. "Oh! I'll also send some to Ren's kids, I know they love me much better than you."

"Ok, ok, no need to get a big head." Sage shoves him playfully. "When are you leaving?"

"I was thinking in about three weeks, at the start of the new month. I won't stay for too long. Only long enough to get better. Then I'll be back." He explains, his voice still light. Sage nods.

"Take your time. We'll all be fine back here."

"Thank you, Ace. I honestly don't know what I would have done without you being here these past few months."

But I wasn't here. Sage wants to say, but she discards the thought. Tonight was not the night. Tonight was a night of celebration, and happiness, a night of laughing and dancing and just being together. These thoughts could come when the sun came up, but for now, under the shelter of the moon, they were held at bay.

"I'll always be here, Muffin." She says quietly. His face falls slightly and his eyebrows furrow, his lip twerking in that cute way it always would whenever he was thinking.

Sage allows him to sit in his thoughts for a few moments and instead tunes her focus into the party behind the doors, intent on listening to what conversations she could make out. Just beyond the door, she heard a small commotion, and, turning, she saw the silhouette of a familiar rat scamper across the ground.

"Elric! Have you seen Vee? I can't find him!" The rat calls. She watches in amusement as he leaps up as if gravity had no effect on him, and gracefully pulls open the door. He drops to the ground and peeks his head out, his ears perking up at the sight of her.

"Sage! I didn't know you were out here. How are-" He begins but is cut off by the small baby on his shoulders pulling at his ear."Ow, ow, Astra, honey, you need to stop pulling on my ear. I know you like my earring but it's not a toy." He scolds lightly, gently pulling the smaller paws off of his delicate appendage.

The little gremlin, who looks like an exact copy of her father, lets out a squeak at the sight of Sage and holds out her paws before making a grabby motion. She bounces up and down on her dad's shoulders, leaning over his head. He puts a hand on her to keep her from falling and chuckles.

"Sorry, she's been worked up all day. But I seemed to have lost Vee. Have you seen him anywhere?" He asks with all the tiredness of a new father. Sage smiles before bending down over the two, letting the smaller kid latch onto her finger.

"No, I haven't, sorry." She says. Liam snorts from behind her. Ren sighs.

"That's alright. He couldn't have gone far. I'll just-"

"Found him!" Elric appears behind Ren, holding a small rat, slightly bigger than his sister. "He found his way into the kitchen." Ren laughs and ruffles the kid's hair.

"Of course he did." The little kid buries his face in his father's neck, his glossy black fur shining in the moonlight.

"I would catch up but uh..." Ren trails off, gesturing to the two handfuls. Sage smiles fondly.

"I get it, it's alright. We'll catch up during training." She promises. He nods and smiles, before pulling Astra off of his cape.

"I'll see you then!" He calls before he and his family file back through the door and Sage gently closes it behind them.

"I love those little rascals." Sage chuckles, turning back to her brother. Liam hadn't turned during the whole exchange, looking off into the distance. Sage furrows her brow, coming up to him.

"What's wrong?"

"I just..." He falters. Should he say it? Probably not. But he might not get another time like this, just the two of them, for a long time. "This is totally off-topic and might kill your mood but I've been thinking a lot about Reid and the war and V and I just need to know...what was it like to die?" He says, turning to look at her.

She's taken aback for a moment, simply staring at him, before her gaze softens. She understands. He wasn't asking this for himself, that much was clear. She could see the hope in his gaze, but also the reservations, as if he was scared her answer wasn't going to be what he hoped it was. She could see that this had been eating him alive, and it hurt her. He was asking this because he feared what all of their lost friends had had to go through.

"It was...peaceful." She says finally, looking away thoughtfully. "My manner of death wasn't exactly calming, but once the initial panic subsided and I could feel the blackness start to close in...everything went away. My fear, my anger, all of it. I could still hear some things, but it was muffled, like being underwater. My whole body relaxed and I just kind of...accepted it. I knew I was dying and I was okay with that. No worries, no responsibilities, no yesterday, no tomorrow, just the promise of eternity. There was a warm, comforting darkness that made me feel so safe and then I woke up in-" She stops, coming back to herself.

She looks at her brother to see the precious apprehension having all but drained away to leave him completely at peace. Whatever worry he had was satiated, and he was happy.

"Maybe I should keep that bit a secret for now, yeah?" Liam gives her a confused look, but she simply smiles knowingly at him. Eventually, he shakes it off and turns away.

"Was it similar to how it felt to transfer over the worlds? I know you went in a plane crash and I came through a walk in the woods, but was it that same peace? The inevitability of just nothing, before everything comes rushing back?" He asks, gazing off into the stars, reliving his traumatic first few days in Eladea.

"Exactly." She answers, trying to shake free of her own memories. "Since when did you get good at big words?" She teases, pushing him a bit. He sways with the motion, smiling at her, then he turns thoughtful once again.

"Do you miss it? The Other Side I mean. Where we came from." He actively avoids the word "home". His eyes are curious but also hold a certain amount of hesitancy.

"No." She answers immediately. "Not in the slightest. Well, I mean, I do miss some things like air conditioning. Or running water, or phones, or that little bakery we would always go to in the mornings before school. Oh! And burgers. Nice, juicy burgers." She shoots him a playful grin.

"But I'd never go back, not for anything. This is my home, my country, and my people, and it always will be." She answers, sobering. He nods along.

"I miss some things, too. Like my friends from school, and podcasts, and the radio." She chuckles under her breath. "But when I got here and you taught me about this world, these people, this lifestyle, I felt that I truly just...belonged."

"I know what you mean. I do wish to understand it, though. How are there completely different worlds, or plains of existence or universes, or whatever they're called, and why we were able to cross over?" She looks up at the sky and the stars that blanket the dark surface. "Maybe that's a question for the goddesses. I doubt they'd answer me, though."

"You believe in them, then? I know it's like the only religion in this place but do you genuinely think they're real? Because I've never known what to think." He gazes intensely up at the dark sky as if he could burn a hole through it and see straight into the goddess's lair.

"Yes, I do." She looks at him. "I've seen things, Liam. Things I can't explain or tell you about, but I've witnessed enough in my life here to know, without a doubt, they're real."

"On our quest, I also saw...things. Had things happened to us. But the logical part of my brain is trying to tell me I made it all up. I guess what I'm trying to say is: how can there be all of this divinity in the world and yet all these bad things happen to us?" He turns with eyes that look so much younger than he is, innocent and hurt.

"I don't know, Liam. I don't know why they let all of this happen, but I do know that they are here for us when it does. They may be mysterious and mystical but they're fair and just. I guess in the end they're sort of like us. They're just guessing and trying to be the best they can."

"They'll be there in the end, then? When it's all over, you truly think that they'll be there to weigh our hearts?" He falters, looking up into the stars once more. "You really think all of those used to be people, just like us?"

"Yes, I do." She says without hesitation. He looks at her for a long time, eyes searching her face for something.

"You know what it looks like?" It wasn't exactly a question, more of a confirmation of an already-known fact.

"Yes, I do. Well, some of it. I didn't have the pleasure of seeing the full thing."

"But you're not going to tell me what it looks like, are you?"

"Nope! That would just spoil the surprise." She teases.

"But you know for a fact that he's been there?" He turns to her with wide, curious eyes.

"He doesn't remember it, Liam. So stop asking him." She says with an amused look. He huffs and turns back to the city. "Reid's up there, you know. I know it." He looks at her for a moment before searching the night sky as if he could see his old friend.

"Which one?"

"The night after the war I noticed there was a new star next to Lance's constellation. I've looked at it every night for the past six years, so I've memorized every star near it, and there was one I had never seen before." She points at a brightly lit star flickering near the moon. "That one. And if you look over there," She moves her hand down, closer to the horizon. "And if you connect those eleven stars, you'll see a dragon. I don't think I need to tell you who that is."

His gaze softens to be relieved, but there's also a hint of melancholy. Like a person finding a friend they lost touch with, only to find out they are no longer close enough to even be called friends. It's a special kind of sadness, the kind that stings your chest but only long enough for it to become annoying before it dulls into a barely noticeable ache that is quickly overshadowed by happiness and relief. It's an irritating bug bite on an otherwise perfect day. It's a wet sock in the winter. Bigger than life for only a few seconds, before it fades away into almost nothing.

"Thank you." He whispers into the spring night. Then he turns to his sister, fixing his hopeful gaze on her. He looks as if a weight five times his size that he's been carrying for a long time was just lifted off of his shoulders, and Sage had been the one to bear it instead. "Thank you." His words hold the weight of a thousand unsaid things, yet there was no need to say them. She knows.

"I should get back inside." She says, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I got to make my rounds again. People expect to see me every once and a while. After all, this is my party." She smiles slightly.

"I'll go with you." He straightens. "I have a reputation to keep." He smirks at her playfully. She rolls her eyes, looping her arm through his.

"What reputation?" She tases.

"The one where I'm the favorite monarch." He throws back as they make their way towards the door.

"Sure, just like you're loved by the maids that have to clean up after you."

"Hey! I usually clean up my own pranks!" He defends, opening the door for her, music and light flooding through.

"Usually." She rolls her eyes and disappears into the party.

"Oh, you'll regret that." He chuckles mischievously before straightening his suit, adjusting his cuff links, and running a hand through his hair. He takes in one final breath of sweet spring air, tasting the pollen on his lips, before slipping through the open door and closing it behind him.

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Words: 7165

So, so, so, sorry it took me so long to update. It took me a very long time to write this and even longer to edit, but it is finally done, and with it this book! Thank you all so much for being with me on this ride but it has unfortunately come to a close. I love all of you so much and appreciate every comment and vote.

I doubt there will be another book, but there is a chance there might be a few spin offs in the future so be sure to look out for those. I might also start writing a new original story, so be on the lookout for updates about that.

In the meantime me and my good friend Cap are writing a very cool pirate book over at out joint account so be sure to check that out!

I love you guys so much and thank you for giving me the chance to share this story with you.

Thank you <3