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Epilogue

Pareus and Shadow stood by the newly-raised monument: a young woman gazed back at them proudly, her majesty and wisdom blended with power and pain, Aliana in her final moments. The artists who had crafted the statue had done their work well, so much so that she looked like she could speak.

"It won't be easy, will it? She had Deneva's love, more than I ever could hope to have. To think they could turn their backs on her like that…" He shook his head. "How did the Empire know she'd be there, Shadow?"

"After the mission, we found out there was a Remnant sympathizer in our ranks: he told them we'd be coming, and that Lady Aliana would be leading the mission personally. I tried to stop her, but…" Pareus placed a hand on the other man's shoulder.

"Ali would've found a way even if you had left her behind. She refused to let others dictate her life, and if she wanted something bad enough there was very little that could stop her."

Both men fell silent, remembering the headstrong princess and how her courage had won the love of her people. It seemed almost that they could still hear her voice, calling them…

"Shadow! Pareus!"

The men turned, and what they saw nearly caused them to pass out: Aliana stood there, smiling and waving.

"Ali?" her brother asked. "Are you…?"

"I'm not really here, Pareus. I died that day, but my spirit lives on." Her voice echoed as if crossing a great distance.

"How?" Shadow asked. "How is it possible?"

"There are those of us with second sight, Shadow. I was one who could see all things, but all Denevans have the gift to some degree: call it instinct, perception, or sight, but it is there. It is the reason you see me now."

"But if you can see the future, why did you even go?" the man shouted. Surprisingly enough, it was Pareus who answered him.

"She had no choice, Shadow. Those with the sight are bound to not change the future."

"I had no choice, Shadow." Aliana's voice echoed. "When I tried to save my family I defied the laws, and had I tried again the consequences would have been too great. Thousands would have died from my actions. I couldn't live with that."

"No, you couldn't, but you could have told me at least," Shadow glowered.

"There wasn't time, and you wouldn't have listened anyway. Who are you trying to fool?" Aliana smiled sadly. "Odarno, I wish it could have been different, I truly wish it. This was the only way I could atone for my mistakes. I promise, though, I will always be here for Deneva, for my brother, and for you."

A breeze blew around the monument, and Aliana looked behind her, seeing something neither man could. "I have to go, they're waiting for me. But I'll be watching, so don't screw up." She smiled at them one last time, and her shaped faded with the breeze.

"She's really gone, then," Shadow murmured sadly.

"Not really, Shadow. She'll always be here for us, in her own way. She's a Denevan to the core." Pareus smiled through his own teary eyes. "She'll find a way to help us if she can, and no doubt she'd find a way back to the living if she could."

Shadow made no reply as he looked back at the monument: Aliana gazed back at him, the image of everything he'd loved. His gaze fell to the base of the monument, where the Royal Seal of Deneva was engraved: a talon upon a planet, with a shield behind. Beneath the seal were three words, three words describing the Calion legacy:

Strength, Fidelity, Unity