by Bri Sailor
Nine years later…
Atreyis stretched out her sleepy limbs. Ky responded by sighing deeply and stretching as well. The princess snuggled up close to the warrior and wrapped a leg around her. The white sheets of their bed were tangled all around the pair and pillows were all over the floor.
“Morning.” smiled Atreyis.
“Morning.” smiled Ky.
The warrior looked deep into the princess’ blue eyes. The princess stared back at her deep gray. They kissed deeply for a few minutes.
Atreyis broke the embrace. “So what shall we do today?”
Ky stretched again. “I don’t know. I honestly feel like we have done and seen it all.”
Atreyis jumped up and walked over to the deck that overlooked a deep blue lake. The warm sun outlined her body and shone through her white hair. All around them the dense forest was waking up to the warm summer morning. Ky sat up in bed and stared lovingly at her.
“I still can’t believe it.” she said softly.
Atreyis turned, her eyes and smile sparkling in the sunlight. “Can’t believe what?”
Ky smiled. “That you’re here. That we’re here. That peace blankets everything.”
Atreyis ran back to the bed and tackled Ky and kissed her. She tucked the warrior’s white hair behind her ear.
“I know what you mean.” she kissed her. “There are times where I have to sit and just realize that this really is all real and not some sort of dream that I will wake up from.”
They kissed again. Ky hugged Atreyis close.
“I think it’s time.” she said into the princess’ white hair.
Atreyis buried her head in the warrior’s shoulder. “I know. I’ve been feeling it for a while.”
“Me too.”
“We need to say goodbye first.”
“We will.”
#
Ehren stood proudly outside of the Temple of Ages looking up at the clear blue sky. His beard had grown several inches but he still retained his boyish looks. He wore a white shirt and blue pants with a light blue sash. A small arm slinked around his waist. The prince smiled and turned to see a smiling Cora. Her blue-green eyes sparkled like the diamond diadem that rested in her sandy blonde hair. She wore a light blue silk dress.
“Hello.” she beamed.
“Hello.” smiled the prince.
The priestess stood up on her toes and kissed him.
“They will be here soon.” she said happily.
“I know.” he replied.
Taryn and Riker were off catching up with Kova and Vex and Joslette. The palace guard was wearing the dark blue garb of the guards and a bright blue sash. Her mother remained the captain of the guard but Taryn had been promoted to General by Toran. The king had been impressed by the young woman’s skills throughout the war. Riker was wearing his earthen toned clothes and leather and had left his post as a Ranger. He had acquired some land far away from civilization and was quite happy living on his own. Vex was dressed in wine red and black. He was Nya’s general and was overseeing the actual restoration of the kingdom. Joslette wore a bright yellow dress with a deep royal purple sash. With Iyara and Doan’s help she restored her people as well. Her new husband stood steadfastly by her side. His dark skin made the light yellow of his clothes stand out in perfect contrast. Around his waist was a lavender sash. He couldn’t take his warm brown eyes off of his bride. Kova was still built like a rock. She was wearing a bright green sleeveless tunic and dark green pants. Her brown hair was just as wild as ever. By her side stood a girl shorter than her, but just as solid, with gold hair and blue eyes. Her hair was just as wild and she wore an outfit that nearly matched Kova. The Wilding queen had the biggest smile that anyone had ever seen.
Toran and Arainya stood talking with Nya. The king’s hair had turned even grayer but he still carried himself like the warrior he was. He was dressed in blue robes that were tied with a silver sash. Arainya had let down her long chestnut brown hair and it flowed beautifully over her shoulders. Her dress was such a pale baby blue that it almost seemed white. Nya was wearing a bright red silk dress and her silvery blonde hair hung straight down her back. She held a swaddled newborn in her arms. The baby had the same hair as her mother. Nya’s husband stood beside her as well. He wore similar clothes to that of Vex. His sandy brown hair was straight and shoulder length. His beard was neatly trimmed and his hazel eyes sparkled.
A little boy with sandy hair and green eyes was running around chasing his even smaller sister who had chestnut brown hair and blue eyes. They ran past the prince who promptly grabbed the boy by the scruff of his neck and stopped him.
“Trey…” he warned. “Be nice to your sister.”
The boy crossed his arms and pouted. “She started it.”
The little girl stuck her tongue out.
“Milla…” warned Cora. “Be nice to your brother.”
Ehren let his son go and the two of them started running around again. He looked at Cora and she just rolled her eyes.
“She reminds me of someone…” she smiled impishly.
Ehren shrugged. “Runs in the family.”
Milla suddenly called out. “They’re here! They’re here!”
Everyone looked to the sky. Atreyis and Ky, both clad in their crystalline armor descended from the skies. The sun shining off of their silver wings. As soon as the princess landed she was tackled by her niece and nephew. Ky laughed and walked over to her mother and picked up her little sister. The newborn smiled.
“Hello, Kara.” smiled the warrior.
Ky hugged her mother and her step-father.
Atreyis had managed to escape the dog-pile and hug her brother and sister-in-law and her parents. One by one everyone got to say their hellos. They spent the afternoon eating a delicious picnic and Ky and Atreyis played with Trey and Milla until the pair had fallen asleep under the cool shade of a large tree. As the day progressed Ky and Atreyis looked at each other. It was time. They led everyone down to the Seal. The wall was still made out of liquid crystal. No one but Cora had been able to pass through and nothing bad had come out.
Ky and Atreyis stood in front of the wall and smiled at everyone.
“Since the moment Cora, the goddess, purged us of whatever darkness remained inside, we both knew that our time would be limited in this realm.” said Atreyis solemnly.
“We knew that once Béloneras was defeated…we could feel a calling deep within.” said Ky.
“It’s hard to explain.” said Atreyis as she looked at Ky.
“But we are needed elsewhere.” finished Ky as she looked at Atreyis.
“I understand.” said Cora softly with tears in her eyes. “I more than understand. When I was merged with the Goddess, it was like I knew and was aware of everything.”
She looked around at everyone. “I don’t think I can find the words to describe…there are more realms than just our own and that of the Gods.”
“I have seen the gateways.” said Atreyis. “The first time I was in that realm. As soon as I saw them I knew that one day I would have to return there.”
“I have felt a similar calling, I just didn’t know what it was until I talked with Atreyis.” said Ky.
Everyone’s eyes filled with tears and they held each other close.
Atreyis and Ky went through and hugged and kissed everyone and told them how much they loved them. They all stood tall as the pair faced them one last time.
“We will see each other again. One day.” smiled Atreyis.
“We might not look the same but we will still recognize each other.” smiled Ky.
“We love you all so much.” they said in unison.
The tears flowed freely as everyone said their goodbyes. Ky grabbed Atreyis’ hand and they passed through the liquid crystal one last time. Bright sunlight greeted them on the other side. The glass temple revealed the deep green forest around them. The smiled as they walked outside of the temple. With their silver wings outstretched they took to the
sky. The once hellish landscape was once again a bountiful, lush heavenly scape. The mountain was still split in half but the temple was rebuilt. The lakes and rivers of lava were once again blue sparkling waters. Ky and Atreyis had been to the realm many times over to explore every facet. Their favorite place had been the white sand beach and turquoise waters. They soared through the skies towards the floating islands and their gateways. When they reached them they hovered in the air as they studied each island and gateway.
“Which one?” asked Atreyis.
“Which do you want?” asked Ky.
Atreyis gave her a look. “Alright. On the count of three we make our choices.”
“Deal.” grinned Ky.
“One…”
“Two…”
“Three!”
They both pointed to the same island. Half of the gateway was made of sandy rock, green trees, and flowing water. Large crystals jutted out throughout the entire gateway. They flew over to the island and lighted on the grass. They stopped and stared at the gateway.
“So where do you think it leads?” asked Ky.
“I have no idea.” said Atreyis. “Do you think it will be like our world?”
“Maybe.” said Ky. “I don’t care though.”
The warrior looked over at the princess.
“As long as I’m with you, I don’t care what awaits us on the other side. We have already faced indescribable evil and lived.” smiled Ky.
Atreyis kissed her and held her tight. Ky kissed her back deeply.
“As long as we are together, I don’t care either.” smiled Atreyis.
“Well then…you ready?” asked Ky was a huge smile.
“Let’s go!” said Atreyis with and even bigger smile.
She grabbed the warrior by the hand and raced through the gateway and on to the next adventure.
