~*~
~Epilogue~
Darkness and silence slowly fell over the palace on a clear and cloudless evening as life returned to normal throughout the Protectorate. Moonlight bathed the room as Kristof stood naked beside the bed, looking down at the two loves of his life as they slept peacefully after a passionate night together. Smiling, he walked out unto the balcony and breathed in the fresh summer air.
The moon was full and its light cast a ghostly glow over the sleeping palace and the city around them. Kristof stood at the railing and marveled at where his life was now. In the morning, he would return to the stars with Max and Subat and begin the long, arduous road to driving back the Clovani Empire’s terror. He was not looking forward to the parting with his wives, however.
It was several moments before Kristof noticed that the low sounds of the night around him were fading until all was perfectly quiet. Nothing seemed to move and Kristof began to become alarmed at the strangeness of the situation. And then a voice spoke from the silences of the night.
Everything has changed now, came the voice of the Phoenix God. War is coming.
“What do you mean?” Kristof asked to the air, suddenly concerned.
The Veil between worlds is torn, caused by the actions of your wives in their mad rush to save you, and the restraints that have withheld Death are broken. Death has now declared war upon myself and the other Gods because of my intervention and our ancient enmity, the Phoenix replied. Soon that war will begin to spill over into this world.
“What can we do?” Kristof asked, guiltily thinking of how he had been the cause of what promised to be universal strife.
For now, you must do as you have already planned, the Phoenix said. We can hope that the war can be contained beyond the Veil and settled among the Gods, but if it does spill into your world, then Death will surely seek to make use of the Clovani Emperor and his war machine. He will also use the Priestesses of the Gau’dran’Seti, his Death Worshipers who until now have not held real power but will quickly grow to be a fearsome threat.
Kristof bowed his head in apprehension, not liking the thought that his family may once more be in danger. This new war was partly their fault, however, so Kristof would not refuse his role in trying to end it. Had they simply accepted his death, the universe would not now be facing a threat of epic proportions.
There is one last task that must I lay upon you, my child, the Phoenix said as his voice began to fade. Death is not yet fully free, since your wives only tore the Veil and he must take time to fully unleash himself, so the Gods and I hope to be able to stop him. Should the Gods fail and Death be unleashed fully upon the living world, though, it will fall to you and to you alone to stop him. I hereby name you the Utani’van’Morto.
“Utani’van’Morto? What is that?” Kristof asked desperately as he felt something cold and hard settle in the pit of his stomach. The last fading echoes of the Phoenix’s voice drifted out of the night air as sound and life returned to the world around him.
“The God Slayer”
**~End~**
About the Author:
Christopher Ingersoll is a father of two who lives near Syracuse, New York.
Holding a degree in Criminal Justice, he has worked many everyday jobs
From retail to security and management. Having written many
Short stories and poems, Christopher strives bring everyday emotions
Into not so everyday situations.
The Smuggler's Ascension Page 23
