The End of the Fantasy (Book #6 of the Sage Saga) (21 page)

There was only the roaring of the fire as they burned what was left of the Yama Headquarters to the ground. The flames were so big that the smoke touched the clouds. Someone surely would have noticed, but if anyone investigated, Catherine and her Sages didn’t stick around to find out.

The ride home was quiet. Somber. Complete. No one spoke, but all were deep in thought.

Marie had questions, but for once, she decided to wait for the answers. They would come. All she knew was that it was all over. Whatever that meant. Catherine told her in the same breath that they had won
and
that it was the end of the world. She figured that Bastion must have succeeded, and though she was happy that he had finally found peace, she wondered how much time she had left to enjoy what was her world.

Catherine sighed as they landed near Old Prattle.

Things were different now. Every speck of dirt. Every bird flying across the ocean. Every blade of grass and falling leaf…it all had meaning now. It all had an expiration date now. And she supposed that they always had one, but now it was a surety. There was no promise of rebirth or a continuous cycle. It was just death and an uncertain future in a world they knew nothing about. Those she had lost would be there.

She hoped.

But there was no guarantee.

So much was about to change, and so drastically, what could she put her faith in now? What was her purpose? Her cause? What should she fight for?

She felt cold.

“Shouldn’t we check out the other Kingdoms?” Daisy asked, rubbing her shoulder. Though it had healed, it still didn’t feel right. Little did.

“We’re enemies of them all,” Catherine replied, stepping off of Talia’s bird and onto the snow. The crunch was so loud that it irritated her. She sucked her teeth.

“That was before the Yama attacked,” Daisy said. “We might not be anymore. We might be able to…to go home.”

“Even if we did, for how long?” Catherine asked, casting her eyes to the snow, white as lilies and pure as innocence. Untainted. Untouched. What beauty would be loss once the worlds fully converged?

“What’s truly changed?” Marie asked, still not privy to all that had transpired. “This world will soon be like the other two. That means we’ll still be able to enjoy the homes we’ve established here. There just might be a delay in when.”

“You mean when things have settled,” Catherine said, looking directly at her. “But even then, what in nature will we lose? What part of ourselves will we lose?”

“I thought Paradise was supposed to be a better place to you people,” Marie chuckled. “If our world is about merge with it, is that so bad?”

“There will be things lost.”

“As it is with every passing generation,” Marie said with a smile. She reached out and embraced Catherine, hugging her tight. “For the world to survive, it must change. The seasons pass. The old die so that the new can be born. This is not the end for us, Catherine. This is the beginning of a new adventure.” Catherine pulled away from her and wiped her nose on her sleeve.

“You may think you didn’t do much,” Talia said, giving Catherine a smile. “But being there for Bastion…we were where we needed to be. It might not have gone in our favor otherwise.”

“You’re right,” Catherine said, feeling better. “And I’m sorry for doubting myself and all we’ve done. It’s been hard knowing what the proper path is.”

“All you have to do is live right now and enjoy the moment,” Talia said. “Deciding the proper path…that was Bastion’s burden.”

“Yes,” she said, picking up a ball of snow. “I think we should make a toast, to the Sage who saved us all.”

“A toast,” Talia laughed, picking up some snow. Daisy smiled and did the same. They all looked to Marie, who rolled her eyes.

“If we’re going to live out here, we really need some necessities. You know, like water?”

“Just grab a handful of snow,” Talia moaned. Marie reluctantly scooped some up in her hand and they raised their balls of snow to the sky.

“To Bastion,” they said in unison, and then they each took a bite.

“Ugh!” Daisy spat it out. “There’s more in this than just snow.”

“Okay, that’s it,” Marie gagged. “We’re going home. Talia, get that bird of yours out here.”

“But we might be—” Catherine began, and Marie stomped her foot down.

“I don’t want to hear it!” she screamed, pointing a finger in Catherine’s face. “We’re going to Prattle where it’s warm and they have food and that’s that! I’m tired of giving all this advice and not being the one making the decisions around here!”

“Okay,” Catherine giggled.

“Okay?” Marie asked, more surprised than inquisitive.

“Okay,” Catherine confirmed.

“Get the bird,” Marie muttered to Talia. Everyone laughed.

*              *              *

“There is no one there,” Marie whispered in horror as they flew over the Prattlian Kingdom. “I don’t believe it…I…the Yama must have killed them all.”

“Who’s left?” Daisy asked, trying not to cry. “Do you think Allay is okay?”

“Let’s head there,” Catherine said. “At the very least we should assess the damage.”

Talia didn’t reply, she just mentally told the bird what to do. It only took a few more minutes before they began to see the Allayan borders. Catherine’s eyes lit up, and it wasn’t because of the nostalgia.

“There are lights on!” she exclaimed. “Lights on everywhere!”

“Of course Allay survived,” Marie sighed bitterly. “Seeker was aligned with the Yama.”

“We don’t know what’s happened in our absence,” Catherine said, giving Marie’s arm a squeeze. “We’ll get the answers we need below.”

“What about Seeker?” Talia asked. “What if he’s still in charge?”

“Then we’ll leave. But we should at least see what’s going on.”

Talia decided to take them down in the meadow, where it was lit up the most. Candlesticks were lit by the thousands and there was a great deal of villagers in attendance. From the soft music playing from below, Catherine thought it would be strange if the villagers were partying with the Yama. Regardless of who Seeker allied with, the villagers would never get comfortable with the very race that was supposed to invade them. They weren’t even tolerant of the Quietus yet.

As they descended, Marie began clapping in joy, pointing out several Prattlians in the crowd. Catherine looked even closer and saw the Quietus hiding in the trees. But they weren’t sitting in the shadows as if they were about to hunt. They were merely watching. She didn’t see any Langorans, but she hoped, no, she was
sure
there had to be some. Her heart skipped a beat when she did identify a few, walking side by side with an old friend of hers.

Tyuin came to greet them as they landed in the midst of the meadow, bringing on a wave of murmurs and whispers.

“Hello,” he said in a serious tone, but then he couldn’t help but smile in the end. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t keep a straight face.”

“Hello, Tyuin,” Catherine replied, jumping off the bird. As soon as they all did, the manifestation vanished like vapor into the air. Tyuin glanced at each of them one by one.

“I hope your journey, whatever it was…was fruitful.”

“As always, there is a lot to discuss.”

“Why don’t we use your old discussion chambers in the castle?”

“What happened to Seeker?”

“Haven’t you heard,” he said with a gleam in his eye. “He has been dethroned. As soon as the Yama left, the Prattlians, with the help of the Langorans, took control of Allay.”

“Then who’s in charge at the moment?”

“I am,” he said, and all she could do was nod.

“A Prattlian?” Talia said aloud with amusement in her voice. “King of Allay?”

“Better than a tyrant,” he replied. “And it’s only until I can find a suitable replacement…but you never know. Being King of two lands may grow on me.”

“I must ask…” Catherine said. “Are we okay?”

“It’s a time of celebration,” he said. “So for now. Yes. We are okay. Let’s just say that I’m letting you off with a warning. How’s that?”

“I can live with that,” she said, giving him a hug. It caught him by surprise and the Langorans at his side wondered if they should intervene, but the King didn’t push her away. On the contrary, he hugged her back.

“Welcome back, Catherine,” he whispered in her ear.

*              *              *

“And so we have no idea what this merger will do to our world,” Tyuin replied, leaning back in the large throne chair at the head of the rectangular table. Catherine yawned and leaned back as well, but in one of the smaller wooden chairs.

“It will probably take years,” Talia said. “But there’s no way to know for sure.”

“At least the Yama threat is over for now. I’m sure they’ll be preparing for whatever Oblivion may bring at this point.”

“And aren’t we going to do the same?”

“I think that would be best,” Tyuin replied. “For once, we’ll be able to prepare for what’s to come. But even so, any conflict on the horizon may not even happen in our lifetime. With this threat of being erased from existence upon death…there will be a lot more planning and far less action.”

“We’ll be ready,” Catherine replied, pushing back from the table.

“Where are you going?” Tyuin asked, puzzled. Catherine looked around at all the races in attendance—representatives of all four Kingdoms. She nodded and gave out a great big sigh of satisfaction.

“My job here is done,” she said finally. Tyuin raised his eyebrows.

“Care to elaborate?”

“I don’t see a need to stay here in Allay. With the Kingdoms working together, that’s more than I can ever ask for, and I know my people are in good hands.”

“So what are you going to do instead of staying here? You don’t have to live out in the cold.”

“I’m thinking that I’ll travel and train. Appreciate the beauty around me before it changes. Train for the battles to come in the distant future, and see what new things I can learn.”

“Yeah, right,” Daisy said. “We all know where she’s really going.” She waved her hands in the air so everyone could say it at once.

“James,” they all said in unison. Catherine blushed.

“Well, him too,” she laughed.

“You’ll need a bodyguard,” Talia said from a few seats away. “If you’ll have me.”

“And a protégé to carry on your principles,” Daisy said.

“Of course,” Catherine said to them, and then she looked to Marie, who pretended like she wasn’t listening. When Catherine wouldn’t avert her gaze, Marie sighed and slapped a fist on the wooden table.

“Oh fine, I’ll go too,” she groaned.

“Yay!” Catherine giggled.

“You do know that it might be a long time before you’re able to travel directly to Paradise, right?” Tyuin asked her.

“I know,” Catherine said. “But knowing that he’ll be there…knowing that he’s waiting…I can’t sit here. I have to go.”

“Then know that you are always welcome here. I will do my best by your people.”

“I know you will,” she said. “And what will you do while you wait?”

“I have a few visions for us all. In particular, one that will work on the weaknesses of each culture. I hope to integrate the Quietus fully into our society. I want the Prattlians to learn how to fight. The Allayans will be taught to be more intellectual and less afraid, and lastly, we will help the Langorans rebuild and learn the values of hard work and not just play.”

“Not an easy feat.”

“Neither is this,” he said, waving his hands across the table, pointing out how all the cultures were sitting together peacefully. “Yet…here we are.”

“I would love to see that dream fulfilled someday. As long as we keep working on ourselves and helping each other, we’ll reach the stars.”

“We already know that we’ll at least reach Paradise,” he said with a wink.

Catherine liked the way that sounded.

He walked alone.

Through the stillness and the quiet of the meadow.

Past the roses and bees, the lush foliage and the vibrant colors.

He saw none of it.

His eyes were open, but his vision was blind.

For once again, he was by himself. In a new world, but with the same old feelings. Stuck in a place where no one understood what he was or what he had endured. No one knew what he had sacrificed…so others could live happily with their loved ones. The Yama and Delilah were defeated for now. The Kingdoms would get along for a while. Everyone was free.

And yet he felt trapped. Imprisoned. Lost.

“Where do I go now?’ he said aloud, stopping in the middle of the meadow. He didn’t know how long he had been walking but it felt like it had been forever. When would he come across another soul?

“It depends on where you’re headed,” a sweet voice shouted out from behind him. Bastion turned to see a blonde haired lady in a bright green sundress, sitting among the roses. She was picking one up and sniffing it so hard that he thought she was going to end up with a petal up her nose. She turned and smiled at him. He waved back cautiously as she pointed behind him. He pivoted and nearly smacked his face into an old man’s chest.

Bastion caught himself at the last second and looked into a set of familiar grey-blue eyes and a massive grey beard. The large man folded his
two
arms.

“You were always quick,” he guffawed as someone tapped him on the shoulder. To his surprise, he turned to see the smiling face of his old mentor and friend. Though it wasn’t the person he wanted to see, a familiar face did lift his spirits.

“Hey, Bastion,” James chuckled, putting a hand on the young Sage’s shoulder. “Heard you got us back into the fray. Thanks.”

“Speak for yourself,” Scarlet muttered, coming up from behind him. Her long red-violet hair nearly smacked James in the face and he swatted it away like it was a swarm of gnats. Scarlet ignored him and looked at Bastion directly in the eyes. “I was actually enjoying the peace and quiet up here. Now I have to start sharpening my eidolon.”

“It’s your soul, dummy,” someone groaned from behind Arimus.

Arimus stepped out the way so Bastion could see a tall and lanky man, wearing a green dress shirt and black pants. His hair was long and stringy and his scowl was so brooding that Bastion felt depressed just by looking at him. “How many times do we have to say this?” the man replied, addressing Scarlet directly. She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes.

“Kyran,” Arimus laughed. “The life of the party.”

“So this is Bastion,” Kyran asked, stepping forward to examine him from head to toe. “He’s short, he concluded.

“But strong,” James replied. “And when the worlds merge, we’re going to need him. We can’t go on suicide missions this time. We die, and that’s it forever.”

“Good,” someone shouted from the distance. “Because once was enough.” The source of the voice stood to his feet and Bastion recognized him instantly.

“Zhou,” he whispered, and the Sage nodded toward him.

“I hope you don’t mind hearing this,” James began, “but your job’s not really done. I mean, you can do what you want…but we could really use you.”

“Of course,” Bastion said, grateful to have someone to talk to. Now this was more like it. This was tolerable. He might even enjoy himself.

“How’s Catherine?” a red haired boy asked, walking up to Bastion. James shoved him aside.

“Geez, Achan. I should be the one asking that.”

“Well, hurry up already. I want to know.”

“You’re acting like this is still a competition.”

“Hey, you never know.”

“Doofus, I
married
her.”

“Yeah, until death do you part is how it goes.”

“No you didn’t just say that.”

“She’s fine!” Bastion shouted out with a laugh. “She’s good. She’s good…excited about seeing you actually,” he said, pointing to James. James stuck his tongue out at Achan who shook his fist in the air back at him.

“If you wouldn’t mind,” Arimus said, clearing his throat. “I would love to hear more on what’s going on in the land of the living.”

“Sure,” Bastion said, surprised by how nice it felt to be wanted, and not used. “I would love to.”

“Hey,” James said, wrapping his arm around the young Sage, “and don’t worry about feeling awkward or anything here. We’re all equals.”

“He’s stronger than you,” Kyran said matter-of-factly. “By a lot too. Hardly equals.”

“I love this guy so much,” Chloe shrieked, jumping up to attack Kyran with kisses. He began running away and she gave him chase, giggling the entire time about how he was going to get smothered once she caught up to him. Bastion shook his head, wondering what he got himself into when his eyes stopped.

It couldn’t be.

There was no way.

James followed his line of sight to see a young girl several yards away, humming to herself as she picked the thorns off of a rose.

“How did these get here?” she muttered to herself as she cast them aside. When she was finished, she turned to look at Bastion. Her dark hair was blowing in the breeze. Her lacy white dress bobbed up and down at the tail. Bastion felt faint, but he didn’t dare lose consciousness. He needed control over his body.

For how else was he going to kiss her?

“Who’s that?” James asked him, and Bastion smiled at her warmly. 

“Oh her?” he laughed, his voice beginning to break. “That’s my girlfriend.”

“She’s beautiful.”

“Yeah,” he laughed as she approached him with a big smile on her face.

There was an ache in his heart. But it was the kind he didn’t mind feeling.