AN: Le gasp, tis the last chapter! Thanks to everyone who stuck with me the whole way, and big thanks to everyone who favorited, followed, liked, reblogged, left kudos, and left a review. Every comment brought me back to life, especially at the lowest points.
Big thanks to idunscrewedup. Sharing the writing process with you really kept me going.
Oh also, Happy 8 month to the airing of the first LWA TV anime episode back on January 9th. The main reason why I decided to post on Saturday instead of the usual Sunday haha. (Even though I didn't start LWA until after episode 21 came out in May lol.)
Without further ado, let's wrap this up.
Epilogue: The End of the Beginning
Present Day, Reinhardt Estate
The next time Diana opens her eyes, she is looking at white cloth draped around the comfortable bed she is lying on. It is a strange sight to see after looking at darkness and rocks for so long. One that she will not complain about.
A soft knock on the door pulls her attention in that direction. After telling the person on the other side that they may enter, the door clicks open. Georgina comes in with Diana's Luna Nova uniform and another set of clothes washed and pressed just as she finishes sitting up on her own.
"Ah, Lady Diana, I see you are awake." The woman gives her a kind smile. "Your injuries have all been taken care of. The only suggestion I can give is to take extra caution with your left arm. Although the spell you applied on it did its job, my additional first aid can only do so much. Now, we can only give it the rest it requires."
Georgina places the items in her arms on the chair by the desk. "I shall leave your change of clothes on the chair here. Would you be up for some late lunch? I am sure you must be famished."
The sound her stomach makes certainly says so. Diana looks down and tries her best to hide her embarrassment. She cannot remember the last time she had food in her system.
"Well, that can't be helped. It isn't like you or Lord Daniel packed much on your trip."
"And how is my cousin?" Diana cannot help but ask.
"Oh the boy is fine. After dropping you off with me, I heard Lord Ulfric started his usual lecture about the glory of the House of Reinhardt. The poor boy actually fell asleep where he stood. Lady Alicia managed to convince Lord Ulfric to forgive him and let her son get some rest after your arduous journey. He woke up a few hours ago to eat like a pig. He went back to sleep right after."
It is reassuring to hear that they have both returned without anymore complications. "I see. That is good to hear."
"Well, I will bring you back some food to eat. Heaven knows you need some more meat on your body. What are they feeding you at that magic school anyway?" Georgina remembers another message she needs to tell Diana. "I would much rather you rest a bit more, but Lord Ulfric requests your presence as soon as you are able. And by request…"
"He wants to see me. And I do not have a choice in the matter," Diana finishes. "I understand. Thank you for passing the message, Georgina."
The woman bows and takes her leave.
Diana lies back against the soft pillows propping her up and allows her mind to wander. Although she and Daniel did not spend too long in the Regulus Caverns, it seems as if their adventure had lasted for much longer. After going past their limits against challenges that tested their wits, strength, and endurance, they were able to accomplish their task and retrieve the Brisingr.
For Diana, she has also brought back another item tied to the Reinhardt family.
Her father's cross pattée necklace sits on the end table by the left side of her bed. Whoever changed her clothes must have placed that there for her to find with ease.
Diana reaches over and picks up the necklace. She turns it over in her hand and lets familiar memories of its owner wash over her.
The joy she felt whenever her father came home after being away for so long.
The sadness when he announced he would be leaving once more.
The exhilaration of her first horseback riding experience with him by her side and her mother watching not too far away.
The warmth of his powerful and protective hugs.
The excitement building up from the stories he told her of his travels.
And most of all…
The completion of their family. Father, mother, and daughter. All together in one place with no worries. Simply enjoying their time together as a family.
Diana places the necklace back onto its resting place. That is a time long past. After overcoming the challenges in the Regulus Caverns and retrieving the Brisingr, Diana believes she can truly move on and accept the present. Now she must continue moving toward the future. There is no point worrying about what has happened. Having accomplished their goal, both she and Daniel are alive without any lasting casualties. And that is something to keep in mind.
They are both fine… except for the affliction on her hand.
Diana brings her right hand up level with her gaze and looks at the bandages wrapped around her palm. She slowly unwinds them to see the same brown scar marring her pale skin. She assumes Georgina or another nurse must have tried to heal it, yet it looks the same as before she left Mount Leonis.
A quick knock brings her out of her reverie. After saying a quick affirmative, Georgina comes in pushing a cart of food and drinks.
The maid notices Diana staring at her unwrapped hand.
"Are you worried about that by any chance?" Georgina continues to speak as she sets up the food for Diana to eat in bed. "No matter what spells or modern medication we try, nothing seems to work. We have no idea what it is."
"It is strange. It does not hurt or bother me at all."
Georgina frowns. "It does not appear to be poison either. Do you remember when and where you received it?"
Diana shakes her head. "Daniel is the one who noticed it once we came out of the Regulus Caverns where there was better lighting. I did not feel any pressure indicating the beginning of the affliction while we were inside the caverns."
"I recommend leaving that wrap on and changing it once a day. The bandage is infused with magical energy that is supposed to press into your skin for your body to absorb. For now, that is the only solution we have come up with to treat that injury."
Diana nods. "Thank you again, Georgina."
"Now, enjoy your meal but do not dawdle. We do not want to keep Lord Ulfric waiting."
"Diana! It is good to see you are well!"
Ulfric's booming voice is laced with happiness and overall satisfaction. Diana wonders if he will repeat the same things he told Daniel before he inevitably fell asleep on his feet.
Diana bows to the older man. "Yes, I believe I have rested enough these last few hours."
Ulfric chortles. "Last few hours? My dear, you and my grandson were sleeping like logs for an entire day since your return. I am sure you must have been exhausted."
Diana does a mental count in her head. She left Luna Nova Saturday morning and arrived at the Reinhardt Estate by noon of the same day. She and Daniel left for the Regulus Caverns Sunday morning and supposedly came out of the caverns early Monday at around dawn. If what Ulfric says is true, then it is currently Tuesday night.
Diana cannot remember the last time she slept for more than five hours a night. For her to sleep an entire day away is absurd.
(I did not plan to be away from Luna Nova for so long.)
It cannot be helped. This is beyond her control. She can only prepare herself for the long hours she will be staying up late to catch up on the work she has missed in the past few days.
For now, Diana chooses a careful reply for her grandfather. "Yes, there were many difficult challenges to overcome. I do not think I would have been successful without Daniel's help."
Ulfric scoffs. "You are too modest. I am sure you would have been fine on your own. As expected of a worthy heir to the House of Reinhardt."
"His prior warnings about each challenge allowed us to prepare against them. If I had faced them blindly, I do not think I would have survived. Daniel was also responsible for weakening the dragon during one of our challenges for us to defeat it completely, as well as carrying me back despite his own fatigue. I am in his debt. In the end, I believe he is just as capable, if not more so than I, to become the next head of the House of Reinhardt. He has certainly proven himself on this journey."
Ulfric still seems doubtful, but he takes her words for what they are worth. He wanted to somehow convince her to take the position of heir, but even he knows that is lost cause.
"I suppose there is no changing your mind then." Ulfric sighs. "If you truly believe so, then I will have to keep training Daniel to become a fine heir. I trust your judgment."
Diana dips your head. "Thank you for your understanding, Grandfather."
"That does not mean I have to like it," Ulfric grumbles under his breath. "In any case, I assume you will be leaving soon?"
"Yes. I would like to return to Luna Nova as soon as possible lest I fall behind."
"Always the perfect student. Oh, it only makes letting you go more lamentable."
"You speak too highly of me, Grandfather."
Ulfric laughs. "Well, how can I not? You accomplished what no one else could. In the end, you are the main reason why our family will not fall to ruin. You should be proud, Diana."
"Thank you, Grandfather. I am glad I can help the House of Reinhardt."
"And I am glad my son chose such a wonderful woman if I could have a granddaughter like you. Truly, I am the one who is lucky."
With the praise over, Ulfric's expression turns serious. "While the Brisingr's repossession is a cause for celebration, you must remember to be on your guard. I will not criticize your decision to revive the Grand Triskellion, but you must understand the risks infinite magic can bring. When something becomes widespread, it is difficult to control. And in this case, there is no way to control an unlimited amount of magic throughout the entire world."
The sudden change in topic takes Diana by surprise. "Is there something wrong, Grandfather? Has anything happened?"
"Nothing yet. It is just an old man's hunch. I have trusted my instincts for more than fifty years, Diana. And for the past fifty years they have never been wrong. You had best be on your guard. You may think your school of magic is a safe place, but sometimes even the safest spaces are the most vulnerable to unforeseen events."
"I see. I will keep that in mind then."
"That is all I have to say. You may go and prepare for your journey back to Luna Nova. We will provide a replacement broom for the one that broke during your journey." Ulfric dips his head. "Good night, Diana."
Diana bows and exits Ulfric's study with his words weighing on her mind for the rest of the night.
"Do you really have to go, Diana?" Katherine asks.
Diana smiles at the young girl sadly. "Yes. As much as I would love to stay here longer, I must return to my studies. Being a witch is not so easy."
"But you're Diana! You can do anything!"
Diana wonders where her cousin gets these notions from. It is understandable for her classmates and professors to believe so since they are always around her. But she has only met Katherine four days ago. It does not make sense.
"Now, now. I am sure Diana will be back at some point in the future," Alicia soothes her daughter. "And then she can come back and show you all of the fun spells she's learned."
Oh, so that is who the culprit is.
Katherine beams. "Yay! I can't wait to fly with you again!"
Diana smiles. Taking Katherine on her first broom ride was a joy. Seeing the happiness shining in the young girl's eyes warmed her heart. It is always nice to use magic to spread joy.
(I wonder if Akko's first broom ride was this exciting for her?)
Diana is taken aback at the intrusive thought.
(Where… Why did I…?)
Daniel scoffs with his arms crossed over his chest, bringing Diana back to the company in front of her. It seems a good rest has him back in good spirits. "The next time we duel, I will not allow you to take advantage of my inexperience."
Diana responds with a challenge of her own through a controlled expression. "If you believe so."
Having said her goodbyes, Diana mounts her replacement broom and places her luggage safely behind her by the loops of the bag. With a quick chant of Tia Freyre, she rises into the air and prepares to leave the Reinhardt Estate.
Diana looks down and sees Katherine waving enthusiastically at her. Alicia is by her side with a subdued wave. Even Daniel was shaking his hand at her with his head turned.
Diana gives a quick nod of her head. And then she is off back to Luna Nova on her own. She enters and exits the leyline terminal without any problems.
Once she is on the familiar route back to Luna Nova, Diana allows herself to prepare for her arrival. She will need to explain her extended absence to the professors and ask them for the content she missed these last few days. For now, catching up on her studies is her highest priority; everything else is secondary.
Except for perhaps one puzzling thing.
Balancing on her broom, Diana removes the white bandage binding her right palm. She slows down the speed of her broom to a gentle cruise and surveys the wound on her hand. She stares at the peculiar injury that stumps her and leaves her with unanswerable questions.
A scar that does not heal, no matter how much time passes, no matter what magic and medicine she applies onto it.
AN: And… we're done!
Thanks again everyone, especially you commenters. You guys literally pushed me through when my original motivation died out. And also pushed me to set up the sequel to this fic, which I still need to get sorted out.
I'm actually going to try my hand at the Diakko prompts so these next weeks will be dedicated to that. Heart of Steel will go up after that's done.
Fun Fact: Tanned skin scarring is something that happens to Emiya Shirou in Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya. The reason for his scarring is similar to the reason for Diana's, though telling would be giving away something :]
