CHAPTER 37
EPILOGUE
"Thank you so much for saving our country from the Mechannites," President Maclus said as he shook Ramza's hand in front of a huge group of people in Berkana. "You can have asylum from Ivalice in Zeratul for as long as you live."
"Thank you very much, sir," Ramza said.
"And if any of you or your friends has gotten in trouble with the authorities in this country, let it be known that you are officially pardoned!" Maclus continued.
"YES!!!" Rad, Alicia and Lavian cheered.
"Nuts," High Priest Nodyl grumbled from the crowd.
"Thank you so much for saving me," Ovelia said to all of them. "I'm forever in your debt."
"It was our pleasure, Ovelia," Rafa said. "So, what are you going to do now?"
"I don't know..." Ovelia sighed. "As far as Delita's concerned, I'm a fugitive just like you all, and I'm not a queen anymore..."
"I can't rest as long as I know Ajora's still out there..." Ramza said. "I'm going off for a while to see if I can learn anything else. Anyone who's willing to come with me can."
There was silence for a moment. Then, Rafa stepped forward. "I'll follow you wherever you go, Ramza," she said.
"Me too," Alma added.
Everyone else agreed with Alma and Rafa. Ramza was truly touched.
"Thanks, guys..." Ramza said.
"We'll come too," Olan said as Balmafula and he appeared on stage. "I'd like a little adventure."
"How about you, Cloud?" Ramza asked the spiky-haired time traveler.
"Sorry, Ramza," Cloud said. "It's time for me to go home." Cloud pulled the Rooster Stone out of his pocket.
"All right," Ramza said. "Take care, Cloud."
"You, too, Ramza," Cloud said. "Ummm... I'm not too good at this, but..."
Cloud extended his hand. Ramza took it and they shook warmly. Cloud held the Rooster Stone out in front of him, and a portal opened. The ruined dome of Midgar could be seen through the opening.
"Keep the stone in case you want to come back!" Mustadio called. "And bring your girlfriend to meet us sometime!"
Cloud laughed heartily- something he didn't do often- and vanished into the portal. As it began to close up, Ramza saw a dark-haired girl run up to Cloud and hug him tightly. "I missed you too, Tifa..." Cloud said as the portal closed.
"(Sniff) that was so beautiful..." Beowulf sniffled as he wiped his nose on his suit.
"As much as we'd like to stick around, maybe we'd better get going," Ramza said.
"Yeah!!!" everyone cheered, pumping their fists.
"Umm, Ramza..." Ovelia spoke up.
"What is it, Ovelia?" Ramza asked.
"Ummm..." Ovelia started to say. "...Can I come too?"
Ramza smiled warmly at the former queen. "Of course, Ovelia," he said. "My friends are always welcome."
"Thank you..." Ovelia said.
"Maybe this next trip'll let us have some quiet time together..." Rafa whispered in Ramza's ear. He blushed slightly and patted her shoulder.
"The airship's ready," Davis said. "Come on! I'll fly you all to Steronn."
"So we finally go to Steronn," Agrias chuckled. "After all this time."
"Funny, isn't it?" Mustadio asked. "Hey, maybe we'll find an ancient civilization there!"
"Oh, come on," Agrias snorted. "Only you would be turned on by that kind of crap. Now shut up and kiss me!"
Mustadio was quite surprised yet happy when Agrias grabbed him and pressed her mouth to his. Ovelia giggled at the sight.
As the group walked towards the airship field, they were stopped by three people; Cinna's parents and Cress.
"Ramza, thanks for taking care of our boy..." Flo said.
"But..." Ramza started.
"Ahh, no excuses," Everett said. "He did what his heart told him. I couldn't be more proud of him or you."
"...Thanks," Ramza said.
"And thank you too, Meliadoul," Flo said.
"I... You're welcome..." Meliadoul said as she shook Flo's hand.
"I got his song going on the radio," Cress said. "Want a copy? Here's a record of it."
Cress handed Ramza a large, black disc. "Thank you, Cress," Ramza said as he accepted the gift. "And keep warding those demons away from your shop."
"Ah ha ha," the old man laughed. "Sure thing."
"Your Majesty," Captain Flite said as he saluted Ovelia and Agrias. "Please have a safe journey. I wish you the best."
"You too, Roderick," Ovelia said. "Make sure Delita doesn't do anything stupid, OK?"
"Yes, your Majesty," Flite said. "Agrias, thanks for helping me see my faults..."
"You're welcome, Flite," Agrias said, shaking the Captain's hand. "Let's join ranks again sometime!"
Ramza, Rafa, Malak, Alma, Agrias, Mustadio, Ovelia, Worker No.8, Rad, Alicia, Lavian, Meliadoul, Beowulf, Reis, Olan, Balmafula and Orlandu all piled into Davis's airship and it lifted off. They waved goodbye to the city of Berkana and Zeratul as they sailed off over the ocean.
"What a wonderful country," Rafa said as she put her arms around Ramza's waist. "We'll have to go back and visit it again some time."
"Yeah..." Ramza agreed. Ramza and Rafa looked at each other. They drew closer, and...
"Oh, come ON!" Agrias howled. "Just DO IT already!"
"OK," Ramza and Rafa said, and embraced with a passionate kiss that lasted a long time. Everyone else looked on approvingly. The airship sailed off into the sunset towards a new day and a new adventure.
"...Wow..." Watson said as Alazlam finished reading. "This fills in a lot of gaps."
"Most certainly," Alazlam said as he closed the book. "This will aid my research back at Igros University immensely."
"Yes, but what happened to others, like Captain Flite?" Watson asked.
"Let me see..." Alazlam said as he looked in the book again. "Flite and Delita returned to Ivalice. Delita was never the same after this whole incident, so Flite did most of the governing for him. Cardinal Cronstadt reported Ramza's insolence to the new High Priest at Murond, but the High Priest just blew him off and told him 'not to get his knickers in a twist.'"
"Glad I dragged you all the way out here to read this?" Atremis laughed.
"Thank you very much, old friend," Alazlam said. Just then, he felt a tug at his shoulder. He looked down to see a small boy of about 10. The boy had tan skin and blonde hair.
"Excuse me, sir," the boy said. "But may I look at that book you were reading?"
"Sure," Alazlam said as he handed the volume to the boy, who staggered under the weight. "By the way, son, what's your name?"
"My name's Cinna Ruglia," the boy answered. "The name's been in the family for generations."
The boy staggered off to another table and opened the book at page one.
"Cinna Ruglia?..." Watson asked. "Alazlam, you don't suppose..."
Alazlam chuckled a bit. "Life's full of surprises," he said. "Well, Atremis, I'd better head back to the University."
"All right," Atremis said. "You two take care now!"
Alazlam gathered up his notes, and Watson and he left the library to get on the bullet train that would take them back to the ship that would take them back to Ivalice.