AFTERWORD – AUTHOR'S FINAL THOUGHTS

This conclusion came at a sprinter's pace, I know.

February 3rd, 2015. That's the day that I published this story; nearly five years ago, and it feels like a lifetime has passed since then.

Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking about at the time when I go back and re-read those first few chapters, because I didn't know exactly where I was going.

It's strange to say it out loud, but when I think of a story it either already has a beginning and an end, or it has a premise that I want to explore. A Veil of Flames was created in the format of the former option; I knew where I was starting, and where I was ending, but not much else in between.

I wish I hadn't taken so long to finish this story, because many people who found interest in it five years ago have probably changed, I know I have. This also has the effect of making the end, when it came, to come seemingly so fast narratively, but in reality, it's already been too long.

I regret how long it took for us to find closure within this story, but I am happy that this one work will no longer rot eternally with an "in-progress" tag. And while I may have rushed the last chapter itself, know that I am extremely happy with how it turned out. It's even better than how I had first envisioned it five years ago.

If you've been here since the beginning and happen to drop by again, I'm sorry it took so long.

If you saw interest along the way, I hope it didn't take too long.

If you just finished reading, I hope you enjoyed it.

This will probably be my last long-form story. It was truly a ride that I wish was shorter and more concise, but life is taking me away from one of my most favorite hobbies.

If I do republish a new story, I promise to not make it so long, not take so long, and try to recapture what you had found worthy of your time, to want to spend it reading what I wrote.

I've always enjoyed writing Azulaang, and if I ever find the inspiration, motivation, and an interesting premise to start over, I will.

But then again...How many times can you read the same story between the same characters? And how many times can I write the same interactions, in the same style, with the same words?

If the inspiration hits, I could be back with at least a one-shot, if not a little more. But I promise I won't put you through a long wait with seemingly no end anymore. If I have a big story in mind, I'll write it ahead of time, and then publish it on a weekly basis.

Thank you, Kind Strangers, for reading, reviewing, following, favoriting, and joining me on this wild journey that took too long to end, but seems like it came to a stop, far too soon. Take care of yourselves.

Until next time,

-WanderingRurouni