The Month of Hearths, 6th Day, 1853, it had been almost four months since Frank set foot on palace grounds in his time, but the time that passed in Dunwall was even further than when he last visited, and a lot had happened in that window of time. Regardless, it was nice to see Emily Kaldwin again. Frank was looking forward to introducing Emily to Jenn Kelly, while Emily was looking forward to introducing Frank to the Royal Protector, her father, Corvo Attano.
Frank finished making sure his dental prosthesis was firmly in place, fiddling and adjusting it while looking at himself in Jenn's pocket mirror.
"Hows it look?"
"It's fine can we go?"
When Frank was done, he and Jenn both made their way down the path to the front of Dunwall Tower, where Emily was waiting. Both parties smiled and greeted one another.
"World Traveler Frank Williams"
"Your Majesty, Empress Emily Kaldwin"
As Emily held her hand out for Frank, he noticed an odd symbol tattooed on her hand as he took hold of it. Distraction aside, he kissed her hand as he greeted her.
Emily gazed upon Frank, her eyebrows furrowed as she noticed some small scarring on his face. She took hold of his chin and tilted his face all around to get a better look.
"What happened to you?"
"The last time I was here, you told me there were questions one should stop asking themselves, and that there were more important things than searching for answers for them; let's just say I didn't take your advice"
Frank felt ashamed, he remembered the conversation they had before he left. Emily sighed and smiled as she caressed Frank's cheek.
"Well, I'm just glad you're alright"
Emily stepped back and turned her attention to the burly, much older man by her side.
"Frank, this is my father, Royal Protector and Spymaster Corvo Attano"
"Hello"
Frank shook Corvo's hand, both of them turned their attention towards Jenn.
"Who is this?"
Corvo addressed Frank, he and Emily hadn't received word that Frank would be bringing a guest.
"This is Jennifer Kelly, she's, I guess you could say, my protector. You can call her Jenn, with two N's"
Jenn's army instinct's kicked in and she took a strong posture as she properly addressed them.
"Lord Protector, Your Majesty"
Jenn kissed Emily's hand, before shaking Corvo's.
"That's a strong grip you have"
Corvo took notice of Jenn's strength.
"I trained in the army, our timelines army that is"
"A fellow soldier, I admire that"
"I trust you made it here without any trouble?"
Emily was concerned after what happened to Frank last time when he arrived.
"I'm not in prison, so, that's a step up from last time"
Emily chuckled, she remembered how she first met Frank, he didn't exactly get a warm welcome when he first arrived in Dunwall.
"So what brings you back to Dunwall?"
"Just checking in on everything, heard there was an incident not that long ago"
"Yes, a lot has happened since you left"
Emily explained what had been going on over the past few months. On the fifteenth anniversary of her mother's death, A witch named Delilah Copperspoon, who was Jessamine's sister and the illegitimate daughter of Jessamine's father, Emperor Euhorn Kaldwin, seized the throne and imprisoned Corvo in stone. After Emily was visited by the Outsider she was bestowed similar powers that Corvo possessed, she traveled to Karnaca on the Isle of Serkonos, taking down all those responsible for helping Delilah rise to power. After returning to Dunwall, she was able to stop Delilah and reclaim her throne.
Frank's eyes widened, he turned his attention to Corvo.
"You were turned into stone? Are you okay?"
"Of course, I would not be standing here if it were otherwise"
"Wow, so, something big did come, I'm glad you both were able to overcome it. You were right to train Emily Corvo, I can tell you really love her; you're a good father"
Corvo smiled.
"I can see why Emily chose to trust you"
Emily put her hand on her father's shoulder before taking his hand as they smiled at one another. Frank could see the bond they had, it was touching. Years ago, Corvo fought to get back his daughter after the murder of her mother, Jessamine, the woman he loved and ensured her rightful place on the throne. Now, years later, Emily fought to free her father and reclaim the throne herself. They were more than just father and daughter, they were fighters, and Frank knew as long as they had each other, nothing could stop them. But, Emily's journey did not end without self-reflection. She had tried to look after her people, but what she saw, places like the slums of Karnaca, changed her perspective and showed her that she needed to do better. She had given one hundred percent to the people of Dunwall in the past, but now that she was back in the throne, she was giving them two hundred percent. Emily wanted to continue to make changes, not just for her people, but herself; and that included trying to make amends with Frank over an unconscious mistake she made a long time ago involving him.
"Frank, there is something I must discuss with you in private"
"Um, sure. Is it okay if…"
Frank looked over at Corvo and Jenn, as they nodded in approval, before turning to each other to discuss their own things. When Frank and Emily were out of earshot of Corvo and Jenn, they started talking.
"What's up?"
"I owe you an apology"
Frank's eyes squinted in confusion, he wasn't sure what Emily was talking about.
"For what?"
"The night we spent together"
Frank's eyes wandered around in further confusion, before meeting with Emily's gaze again.
"I…Emily it's fine you don't need to…"
Emily interrupted Frank.
"Yes, I do"
"Why? I mean, I agreed to it. It's not like you forced me"
Emily put her hand on Frank's shoulder, she looked down briefly in shame before making eye contact once more.
"My time in Karnaca made me realize that I need to do better, that I must be aware of everything that is unjust and wrong, especially if I have caused it. Yes, I did not purposefully take advantage of you, and yes, you agreed. However, I wasn't aware of what you were going through at the time because I unintentionally ignored it. You were in pain, that made you vulnerable, and I inadvertently exploited that when I made my advancements. And when you told me that you wished to stay in Dunwall, and your desire to pursue the truth about why Elizabeth left; deep down that was a cry for help, and I chose to remain ignorant of it. But ignorance does not exclude me from holding myself accountable for my actions. I know now that I hurt you, for that, I apologize"
Frank felt content, he knew Emily never meant to hurt him, but it felt good that she was acknowledging what she did during their time together, and that she wanted to make amends for it.
"I appreciate you apologizing. Thank you"
Frank was a good person in Emily's eyes, and she felt he deserved better than what she had done to him years ago, even if it was unintentional. Emily spoke up once more, she had more to discuss with Frank.
"Shall we head inside? I have much more to tell you. During my travels in Serkonos I was assisted by a woman named Meagan Foster, however, her real name was Billie Lurk; she was one of the people responsible for my mother's assassination. Of course, I was not informed by her until we reached the end of our journey"
Frank never forgot the discussion they had the day he left, it was remarkable that Emily worked alongside one of the people who helped kill her mother, he wanted to know her reaction to the truth.
"You worked with one of your mother's killers? What did you do? Did you confront her afterward?"
"Let's go inside, I will share everything"
"In a minute, I actually have to talk to Jenn in private, may I?"
Frank had something on his mind.
"Of course, we'll see you inside"
Emily walked back to Corvo, telling him that their guests would join them soon. They turned around and headed inside, while Frank turned his attention to Jenn.
"So what do you think? Was I right?"
Jenn pondered for a bit, she knew what Frank was talking about.
"Yeah, it's really nice. And I have to admit, this does make a nice place for a first date"
Frank's eyes widened as he lit up.
"Are you serious?"
"Maybe, if we were to finally start dating, and that's still an if, this would be a nice place to start. Why did you have some other place in mind?"
Frank had thought about another place for their first date if they were to start dating. It was a bit unconventional, but it was worth running by Jenn.
"Okay, ready? The Mall of America, all to ourselves, no one else inside it"
Jenn raised an eyebrow.
"What's the catch?"
"It's…surrounded by zombies"
Jenn looked at Frank in disbelief.
"Are you crazy?"
"No no no wait! Hear Todd out, okay? Todd tell Jenn about the details of the Mall of America and their doors and windows"
Jenn took out her phone and put it on speaker as Todd transmitted to her.
"The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota remained locked during an outbreak throughout the planet of a plague that resurrected the recently deceased. Its doors include high-security deadbolt locks, and windows consisting of ballistic proof glass, making it impenetrable to physical force"
Jenn gave Frank a look of concern.
"Please! Please please, please! Come on it will be fine! Todd checked it! Todd, can you run the probability of the undead getting in?"
Jenn turned her attention to her phone once more.
"Probability of a breach runs at about seven point nine percent"
"Come on that's good right?"
Jenn continued thinking it over, she couldn't believe she was considering going through with traveling to a world inhabited by zombies. But then again, the idea of having an entire mall to play around in did sound appealing. Regardless, there was still a lot to consider.
"You know the whole areas gonna smell like crap"
"No it won't, I mean, maybe it will smell outside or if you stand near the entrance"
"Well, can you at least tell me if they are fast zombies or slow zombies?"
"Slow, I wouldn't even consider it if they were fast. But nothing bad will happen, come on, please"
Jenn rolled her eyes as she smiled at Frank.
"Okay"
"Really!?"
A huge smile grew on Frank's face.
"Yes but as soon as Todd is done charging we leave"
"Fine deal"
Jenn started walking towards Dunwall Tower, only for Frank to stop her.
"Jenn wait"
Jenn turned around as Frank addressed her.
"So is this our first date? Or the mall? Is either gonna be a date?"
Jenn smiled and winked at Frank.
"Come on, let's head inside"
As Frank began walking to catch up with Jenn, Todd cut in and spoke to Frank in his head.
"Frank, I can sense you're feeling uncertain about something, are you thinking about your relationship with Jennifer?"
"Maybe…why?"
Frank was feeling a little uncertain but wasn't sure why Todd was interested in that.
"If you're interested, I can calculate the chances of you and Jennifer being together, would you like to hear the results?"
Frank thought about it for a minute. He was grateful for Todd, Todd always provided him with information if he needed it. But there were some things he was meant to explore on his own. There would be no point to it if he always knew the outcome.
"You know what, Nah, it's fine, thanks anyway Todd"
"There is no need to thank me"
"No, no there is. I may never figure out what actually brought us together but, it doesn't matter. I'm just happy to have found you. You're a true friend Todd; thank you"
Todd went quiet, Frank could tell Todd was trying to process what he said.
"You're welcome. Shall we head inside?"
"Yeah, let's go"
After years of denial, years of running away, Frank had accepted who he was. He knew that traveling to different worlds was what he was always meant to do. Still, the future was uncertain, and he would undoubtedly struggle from time to time. Even though that was life, Frank had Todd, Jenn, Elizabeth, and many others he considered close friends. He knew as long as he had them that any path he took, no matter how dark it was; would always lead to a bright and promising future.
End
Authors Note: Wow, I can't believe I finished this. But I really enjoyed working on it. It's a story where I included recurring themes, such as acceptance and the dangers of speculation. I also think it's a fitting sequel to From Sea to Wasteland and positive conclusion for Frank Williams, and I think his brief return to Dunwall and the fact he will have a promising future is a good note to end on.
It's been a lot of fun writing these stories. I'd like to say thank you to everyone who decided to read this or any of my stuff in general.
- TheBloodInfinite20XX