Epilogue

“Well, that was unexpected,” a roar of desert wind howled across the vast plains of red sand.

“Indeed,” the small six-legged reptile said from its place hidden in the lee of the stone.

“So I guess we’re stuck in this unending battle for the foreseeable future now. Does that mean I can finally take the kid gloves off?” the rock, with large red eyes opening along its side, said as it stared down at the frightened animal.

The lizard took off at a run, its front four feet in the air as its final two skimmed along the hot sand. The sand itself began to swirl around the rock, and its weight quickly caused it to submerge within the twisting sands.

An old man in loose-fitting travel robes and a scarf wrapped around his head and mouth spoke through the material in a muffled voice. “Kid gloves, huh? I suppose we could start stepping up our defenses. Remember though, Jarow will always be watching. If we go too far, I have no doubt he will intercede.”

A vulture swooped down to land at the man’s feet and peck at his exposed toes. “Yes, yes… no all-out war, I get it, but I think some additional conflict would help pass the time better. I mean, we have all of time now, so we may as well make the most of it,” the bird spoke as the old man kicked at it. It backed off yet refused to leave.

The mortal man sat off to the side and documented the conversation as usual. He quite enjoyed his time as a chronicler and was extremely surprised when the two avatars didn’t immediately destroy him for speaking before. To his utter astonishment, they had benevolently kept him as a chronicler and even encouraged his input. He had nothing to say, though.

The sun, high in the sky, then spoke. Its voice was quiet yet caused the entire world upon which they stood to shake with the words. “As long as my other half has a chance to enjoy his new life, you can do what you wish.”

The old man in the robes smiled as he covered his face with his hand and looked up to the sky. The vulture had no qualms with looking upward and stared at the glowing star. “Of course, Jarow, but how much fun do you want him to have?”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

----------------------------------------

On the world of Urun, the forces of light, mostly comprised of elves, dwarves, and humans, fought tirelessly against the forces of darkness. A stable wormhole had opened, bringing strange and evil monsters and demons from a nameless place of darkness.

The battle raged for generations, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. The forces of darkness refused to return to their home, having become addicted to the taste of flesh. They fought with all their might to push as far into the land as they could.

Among them was one who had tasted the flesh of men and found it lacking. Rather than going into a frenzy and seeking to destroy and devour the inhabitants of this world, he studied them. He was adept at disguising himself and changed his form to be able to mingle with the population.

Through his wanderings, he tasted many wonderful foods, drank wines with flavors beyond description, and even found he enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh. His name was Brava, and he roamed Urun for many years before finding Kryti.

The two of them fell in love almost instantly. Kryti was a general of the fourth battalion, a group of winged humanoids said to be descended from the gods. They were the aerial troops of Urun.

As their romance blossomed, they revealed their true natures. Brava's magic failed as he pumped new life into Kryti, and his illusions vanished. Kryti, upon seeing her lover's true form, had no choice but to vanquish him.

Brava's legacy lived on, however, as several months later Kryti gave birth to a majestic yet vile child. Its skin was dark like the demons they fought, while its wings were white and more majestic than any Kryti had ever seen. As it opened its eyes and magnificent violet irises looked up at her, she knew she had to find a way to keep this child safe.

She gave up her commission as general and moved deep into the woods, where she raised her child. Their life was never easy. They struggled to find food and were frequently attacked by monsters. Kryti kept her child safe for over ten years, teaching them everything she knew. But in the end, she was killed while defeating a band of demons that were hunting them.

The child was forced to survive on their own, not daring to face the people of Urun, knowing that by their reckoning, being a half-breed was an abomination.

Then, on the brink of death, after fighting off two monsters on a two-day empty stomach and suffering major blood loss, a strange portal opened up.

It was as if a tear opened up in reality and spread out into a circle. Within the hole was a meadow with flowers of many colors. The air smelled of freshness, and burbling water could be heard. The child was torn as to what this could be, but decided they would rather die in a place of beauty than in the forest of nightmares in which they lived.

A young man, small of stature, stepped through the portal and gingerly scooped up the child. He carried them through the portal, and they did not protest. The young man looked down at the child with eyes filled with stars ringed in gold.

"It's nice to see you again, Xinpo," the man said. "Or do you have another name now?"

The name the man had called them resonated with them deeply. It brought with it feelings of love, responsibility, and gratitude, but also great loss and despair.

"My name is...

The End

Written by: Phaden Feralheart

Copyright Original Content 2023-24