Ninth Age: 14 Essene, Year 865,480

Anyone who hears my message.

Anyone...

Please heed my message.

Corrosion infiltrated the Wand of Light. I feel the distasteful bitterness bite into my soul. I feel the evil taking over me. I feel possessed by the evil spirits the Wand of the Spirit allowed into the world. As I control the influx between good and evil, me losing control of an important aspect will spell trouble for the world as we know it.

Through my anguish, I imagine numerous possibilities, each a frightening reality of its own, and I possess enough power only to offer a warning.

Consider this my swan's song. My final Sage prophesy before I enter my state of eternal rest in the Overthere.

I imagine perilous Ages succeeding this one. Ages where multiple kingdoms will go head-to-head. Constant invasions will fill the void the Wand of Light's possession will leave behind. With evil comes an unbalance within the spirit and the physical manifestation of both order and chaos, causing unbalance among the Four Wands.

I imagine a group of beings, enraged at their mandatory sacrifices to the Wands to keep it satisfied, eager to possess the Sages to receive their wishes and to advance their misguided plans.

I imagine blackmailed individuals within a secret society, forever separated from their loved ones due to forbidden knowledge. Those aware of the Elder Gods and their powers will be trapped within that society and exposed to the corrupted Wand of Light. This society contains the most powerful kings, queens and mystics the world ever laid eyes on. This society, while appearing good and selfless, only promote the agenda of those abusing the Wands' powers.

I imagine a developing Unholy Trinity among the Wand of Light, the Wand of the Cosmos, and the Wand of the Spirit. The world will be evil, chaotic and in utter despair.

Likewise, I imagine the Wand of the Elements and the Lux Aeterna both falling into the hands of those only seeking personal gain. They will go against the Unholy Trinity, but out of lust for power rather than out of virtue.

I imagine a rioting population, destined to upset the balance between order and chaos; between good and evil; between life and death. Only then will the Wands gain immense power.

Worst, I imagine the reawakening of the Elder Stars if this abused power is not in control any time soon. I imagine darkness, despair, destruction and death. I imagine the uprooting and extinction of society as we know it.

But, throughout these dark, evil visions Pandora's Box released, I also see hope. This hope, all but a burning flame amid a frozen tundra, will survive the darkest of periods and will come out victorious.

Through this hope, I imagine the Seven Mystics. The same Seven Mystics, who overthrew the Star Spirits and split the Celestial Wand, will once again uproot this destructive trinity. They will bring peace and prosperity back to our planet and will be instrumental to monitoring the Sages' powers.

I imagine an Oracle of the Cosmos—Rosetta—who like her Sage, will bring order to an otherwise chaotic environment. She will guide refugees from both sides of the upcoming war and sheltering them from the war's dangers.

Lastly, I imagine four adventurers, keen on discovering our lost history. Through their desires, they will unearth many prophesies which will guide them—and the world—on how to return to peace.

Again, please heed my message. Evil may be plaguing the world even as we speak, but always remember to never, ever give up hope. Because in the end, hope wins out, no matter how small. Just as a small candle will illuminate a dark room—so too will even an ounce of good defeat a world full of evil.

I must depart, for the Wand of Light's corruption threatens my soul. I must succumb to this fight. I lack energy to prevent the darkness from overtaking me and my abilities.

Please win this fight. Win it for our population. Win it for our societies. Win it for good.

My soul must depart from this wand and enter into eternal rest, until the Wand's sanctified once again. May we ever rise from the air, triumphant in the last days.

Until we meet again,

Aurora Koopa – Ninth Age Sage of Light

NOTES: And now, Return of the Four Sages: Royal Flush comes to an end.

But the overarching tale's far from over. If anything, the end of this book's only the beginning of a more complex storyline. Book 1 only discussed the literal segregation of two worlds: those who knew a complicated and terrible secret, and those who were kept in the dark. But now with the two differing worlds smashed into one—and each faction fighting the other—what will happen?

Such a question cannot be answered in a sentence, a paragraph or even a chapter. When dealing with magic and a magic system established by the universe itself, no question regarding magic will be discussed on simple terms. Instead, Book 2 will focus on that one question alone, where it'll be just as long, if not longer, than Book 1.

I hope to see you there when it's published! Thanks for all the reviews, follows and favorites! I never expected this story to be as interacted as it was; to which I'm pleasantly surprised. I appreciate it!