Mana's mind

By Duran the Gladiator

Epilogue: True is the heart…

Lise

I never would've believed it all would turn out this way!  After my last adventure, my last reunion with my friends, I've had so much to do here in Rolante for the past ten years.  There were treaties to sign, people to consult, and even a marriage to be celebrated.

My right hand in the Amazon Army, Eliza, informed me two years ago of a small new kingdom being formed.  The kingdom was being made on the island that was previously home of the Earl of the Evil Eye.  The Dark Castle is now called Sermyn Castle, as the kingdom is named Sermyn.  Its founder is a descendant of the long lost race of shape shifters.  They took their hiding around the world, forced into a form which they could not abandon.  Its founder is also a young princess, Kahry.  Her shape was that of a Chibikko for a long time.  She was glad to find a way to get to the others again, and once they claimed the island with peaceful intentions, no one made any objections.

Anyway, princess Kahry had taken a liking to Elliot.  She visited quite frequently, each time on the pretext of a visit to her most beloved kingdom, or to see the legendary Mother of all Feathered Creatures.  Every time she visited, I noticed that she was wearing regular clothes, not the robes becoming of her status.  And, what made me decide to ask the two what they would think of an engagement, Elliot worked his hardest to get to take her places.  I hadn't even noticed my brother grow up!  Imagine that…  I promised myself that I would take time to get to know him, before seeing him leave the castle.

Now that Elliot has gone to Sermyn, this castle is empty.  Strange, how one can imagine to love solitude, but never bear to live in it.  I've grown fond of the frequent visits of my friends now.  And in just a few days, they'll be coming again.  All of them together, this time, for a reunion of heroes…

Kevin and Carlie

We're happy.  We married ten years ago, and still, when we look at each other…  Nothing has changed between us.  We now have two children.  Faye, a charming elven girl, but with a close friendship to wolves, and Nathan, a strong beast child with the gruff looks of his grandfather, yet the golden heart of his mother.  A third child is coming to us soon.  We are truly blessed by the Goddess.

The world around us has changed so much.  Kevin is now the Beast King, as his father decided to dedicate the rest of his life to study instead of fighting, and that probably makes me, Charlotte, Beast Queen.  But I am so much more…

All this change started with simple research.  Heath found out about Wendelia, the lost kingdom, about its borders, its customs…  He suggested to my grandfather, at first merely as a joke, but then gradually growing more serious, to restore the kingdom.  And now it is restored.  Wendelia, Kingdom of the Eternal Day, is once again a fact instead of a mere thought.  My grandfather was asked to be the leader of this great land, but he declined, saying that that task was too heavy to be borne by a man his age.  Instead, he suggested Heath, who was by then aged thirty and sure to become my grandfather's successor… It was a difficult choice for him to make, but he accepted.  The only condition was, that he would be allowed to take over from my grandfather in due time.  He is a splendid king, ruling with compassion and justice.  People say it's an advantage to have a priest as king.

As for me, I've made a place of worship here myself.  It's called the "Temple of Mysteries", and is built around the Moonreading Tower.  Luna's former status as "Keeper of the Mysteries" is now restored.  And I'm her high priestess.  I felt honoured when Kevin suggested that position for me, but even more when the Beast King himself agreed.  I love my work (mainly giving advice to the people that come to the Temple, but sometimes my renewed skill of Tinkle Rain or Heal Light comes in handy).  I can't wait to see the others again: to tell them of this happiness.

Duran and Angela

I never imagined looking forward to meeting the others again, but here I am: in one hand I hold that of my dear Duran, my King, my Knight of Gold.  My Mana Hero.  In the other hand, I hold that of our son, Loki, a fighter as fierce as his grandfather, and with a temper that could rival that of his father.  The two men in my life.  I would give up neither for anything in the world.  And they'd protect me with all they have.

How time flies!  We were both seventeen when we met, and now we're in our late twenties, having a son of ten and two of five: Dane and Michael, who are now in Altena.  While we're going to Rolante, to see the rest again.

I clench Angela's hand as we scale the mountain path once more.  Nothing could compare to the happiness I've got now.  Without Angela by my side, my crown would be pale.  Without Angela to stand by me in difficult times, I'd only be half the man I am now… but I know she thinks the same of me.  We're both depending on each other.  If we didn't have each other eleven years ago…  I don't even wanna think about that!  I know she's anxious as well to see the rest of the group again.  And as we near the mountaintop, I can feel the tension rise…

Hawk

If there was a way to turn back time… would I?  I'd relive all those moments precious to me.  I'd meet Lise again.  I'd meet Carlie again, the sweet li'l kid she was back then.  But maybe things are better left as they are.  I'm happy with Jessica as my wife, with Navarre - still the same fortress of thieves it was ten years ago - as my home, and with Salamando as my closest companion.  I shouldn't wonder whether I'd be happy if things had turned out to be different…

Yet, there has been so much turmoil lately.  Navarre isn't bound to rules, as the other lands are.  It was Flamekhan's wish to let it remain as it was: I respect that.  But some of the other countries think that Navarre should be bound by laws, or just disappear.  I, as a Mana Hero, have earned respect among the people.  But now, I can see those ties being stretched to their limits.  I don't want to resort to my status as savior of the world to get anything done!

Lucky for me, Jessica's a clear mind.  She's learned much of her father.  She advised me to give in and tell them that Navarre would be bound by laws: but only if it could become the castle of the desert kingdom.  Deen opposed, naturally, not being able to accept the idea of being ruled by thieves, and thus Navarre was spared of destruction.  Nevertheless, I should keep an eye open for possible new ways to keep Navarre as it is.  Salamando might help, but then again, he might not.  Better ask Lise what she thinks if I'm going there anyway…

From a distance, the winged one that is Flammie watches silently as the six Heroes meet again.  The sounds of rejoice reach her ears, and she smiles.  She, too, has grown over the ten years that passed since their last meeting on the wedding of Kevin and Carlie.  She, too, has seen much…

Pedan, the beautiful island of jungle, filled with illusion, retreated into its own course of time again.  The Glass Desert, once home to the ruthless Dragon People, slowly became inhabited by real dragons, who prospered in the sultry climate.  The soil in Altena defrosted and became fertile.  The Ice Kingdom became the Snow Kingdom, where snow falls on a summer's day.  But what had changed most, were the hearts of the people.  Peace had slowly become a certainty instead of a possibility, and war was only a thought from the past.  Flammie knew she couldn't change a thing, and she still knows.

Far away, above the clouds, she can hear her father call her name.

"Flammie, it's time!  Let us go… to the realm where we can rest until the next time we are needed…"  Her father's voice sounds tired, but still commanding.  Flammie looks back at her friends.  Something has gradually changed inside of her as well, she knows now.  The visits they paid her, the gifts they brought her: they had changed her as well.  Her mind slowly formed the last thought she'd form as a child.  It was the thought of growth.

"Father, I am needed here as a friend.  Now, in the future, and forever!"  She shudders silently, expecting a fit of rage… that doesn't come.

"A wise decision, my child.  Your friends couldn't bear being without you…  You must remain.  I, however, must go to sleep now…  I bid you farewell, my child.  You are on your own now…"  And with that thought, all is silent to her.  She gathers air in her lungs, raises her head from the mountains, spreads her wings and roars, a farewell and a welcome in one.

Her first roar as a grown dragon, and it is heard across the world.