Epilogue
A skimmer flew through the crimson sky, with a 20-year-old girl hanging on. Her long purple hair whipped in the building wind, and she had to shield her grey-blue eyes from the biting cold. She had run away from her old home, all because she had wanted to be a Cyclonian Talon. Her mother had told her no, she was better off being a housewife for her future husband. Remembering what she had said, the girl snorted with disgust. "weakling. She wanted nothing more than to see me become what she was." Seeing the large mansion-cum-castle, she pulled the handles downwards, and started to head towards the enormous gates. As the skimmer slowly went downwards, she saw cyclonian talons flying around the castle, and patrolling the walls. Excitement bubbled in her as she saw them, and landed. However, she wasn't expecting them to be pointing their staffs at her, the crystals embedded in the tips glowing menacingly. Some of the cyclonians were watching her, and some murmured to themselves. Finally, one of them stepped forward, and ordered "You there, girl! What is your name, and what do you want here?!"
The girl turned the skimmer's engine off, and said "My name is Finch. And I want to be a Cyclonian Talon." Staring defiantly into the face of the cyclonian's face, she stood, and waited. It was clear to all she was quite short, but the snapping temper simmered in her eyes, and told them she was not a pushover. The other searched her for a while, looking for hesitation or nervousness. When he saw none, he nodded, and turned around.
"Follow me. Master Cyclonis will want to see you." Walking through the doors, he marched straight ahead, not showing any emotion, just looking ahead. Finch walked behind him, looking around, and seeing all of Cyclonia's power. Excitement grew again, along with the feeling that she belonged. She saw cyclonians controlling machines, patrolling the towers, and bringing in shipments. She saw cyclonians of all ages, the youngest seemingly to be a girl, with blue-black hair and pink eyes. As their eyes met, an expression flitted into the other's eyes, one which Finch could have sworn was jealousy. However, it passed when she looked away, and entered the large throne room. She guessed this because of the large, dominating chair, clad in shadows near the other end of the room. To one side were two people, one male and one female. The male looked to be in his early twenties, and the female looked to be mid-twenties. As they looked at Finch, she felt herself straighten her back to appear taller. She gave the two a quick glance, just enough to see the simulaties in their features made them brother and sister. To the other side was a male, with jet black hair and red eyes, who looked to be mid-twenties as well. This was the rumoured Dark Ace, who joined the Cyclonians after killing the Storm Hawks in a spectacular betrayal.
"Master Cyclonis, I have brought a newcomer. She wishes to join our ranks, and so I knew you would want to see her." Finch's attention was brought back to the chair as the occupant leaned forwards and whispered "Bring... the girl forward. I want to see her. My eyes... they are not as good as they once were." The Cyclonian who had been kneeling, stood up, and grabbing Finch by the arm, pushed her forwards towards the chair. Finch glared at the cyclonian, noting with pleased pleasure how he looked down as soon as he saw her eyes. Turning towards the chair, she bowed her head.
"hahaha... she knows who to respect." the voice wheezed out, and Finch kept her eyes down. It was common knowledge that to look upon the master was death. She resisted the urge to look up, and much to her suprise, she heard the whispery voice saying "Come closer my dear... and Let me look upon your face. I wish to see if you have the skills to become a good talon." Finch hesitated for only a moment, then looked up into large, watery blue-purple eyes. The master. The one who had brought Cyclonia up from the small furnace to a large empire. He was old, shown by his thin white hair, and wrinkled skin. His time was near. Finch had heard the rumours, but she had never believed it until now. He lifted a hand, and the Dark Ace walked over, helping him down his chair. "Thank you, Dark Ace." Wheezing a little from the effort, he walked over to Finch, and took her face in his cool hands. Grey-blue looked into blue-purple, until he chuckled, and turned back to his chair. "She will do. She has the will I like in my Talons. But for now? Send her to the school to be trained."
The five Talons, three commanders, one sub-command, and one rookie, bowed to the Master, and left the room. Finch was dwarfed by the four taller, but there was one who caught her eye. The purple-haired male, with orange armour. Shifting her gaze a little, so she was still able to see forwards, but to see a little of the tall one, she examined him. Hook nosed, large purple eyes, with a sharp face, and well muscled. A small smile crept onto her face, and she thought "I'm going to like being a talon..."