Changes

A year has passed since these events took place. The scars left by the Demons were small this time, as no accidents with Guardian Blades were reported. Monster attacks were down, but that didn't stop the Silver Wolves. This group of brave men and women were still out to kill any of those creatures that had the gall to get in their way. As well as hunting old ruins in order to find their fortune.

Each of the people who the four of us met had found a new life for themselves. They had been able to find a new outlook on life from their endeavors, and had grown stronger. It was a new world that they could embrace, without fear of the deaths that had awaited them just twelve months ago.

Domanick is still traveling around the world as a Silver Wolf. He had never given up his edge, not after all these years. But if he ever runs into me in a town, he wasn't about to just ignore my presence and just run away, as he had for all those years before the incident. It wasn't uncommon for him to treat his foster daughter to a dinner, or some sort of entertainment, in whatever town they were at. But wherever he goes, Maverick is always at his side, as Kyoku is at mine.

Madeline is still working as a maid, but she feels a weight has been lifted from her shoulders. If her son could conquer such a powerful enemy as the Demon Queen, then she had no fears for his safety. Her sickness has begun to ease, and she could take on longer hours to boot. Which took a burden off of her son, since he didn't have to worry so much about getting a certain amount of Gella.

Marco is a great High Priest to the Baskars. His judgment was often sought by people from other cities as well. The young man makes daily trips to the Fallen Sanctuary, in order to give thanks to the four High Guardians for taking care of his twin. And if you give thanks to those four, it's like giving thanks to all of the Guardians. Baskar then became much more prosperous than it had been before. But through all of his fame, he never forgets who he was, and still treated all with humane kindness. Jacob's newly acquired confidence was a source of much happiness for him, the only person who ever believed in him.

Martin is a fair and just ruler, like always. He spends much time trying to prepare Sasha for her future Queenhood. The stories about their ancient ancestors is a favorite example of his. Things are looking up for his kingdom as well, it became known that the princess who'd helped save the world was indeed a Shaman. Fears were absolved instantly, as they all decided to listen to the story of what really happened on that day. The name of Shaman was cleared, and they were all free once more.

Selene and Robert are both still traveling together. Neither of them wanted to be apart, and the rumors are starting to fly. Most were spread by the fact that Robert protected her like a knight does to a princess. A second rumor has started as well, among the Shaman community, that Robert was in fact a descendant of one of the younger children of Ashley and Cecille Enduro, who had forsaken his heritage because he wanted to use an ARM instead of a staff. None of these were ever confirmed, but it certainly reminded those who knew the stories about how Jet, and later Ashley, protected the woman he loved.

Mariel continues her work in her garden, never tiring. She hopes to rejuvenate the few remaining deserts on Filgaia. Then, maybe the Elw will come back here, or at least return to take her home to the dimension they inhabited. Certainly, she longs to see her older brother Vassim once more. I feel sorry for her, being forced to be away from her family and friends for over three millennia now.

Lucrecia the Golem sees use sometimes, if Lyle wanted to cross a large area of land without finding a monster or two. Dr. Moro will give her a tune up if ever she needs, longing to hear Lyle's tales of life on the road with a Golem in toe. The swordsman avoids the man as much as he could, some of those stories were just a little too private for him to share with anyone else. I should know, I live them too. And Moro can be so boring when he wants to be, he just doesn't realize he's doing just that.

Lombardia has taken such a liking to the group, that she decided to come whenever one of us needed help in any way. A special whistle had been fastened for each to wear around his or her neck, in order to rouse her from sleep. We try not to abuse the privilege, but the Dragon doesn't mind. She had felt the same way about Virginia and her crew, they certainly were interesting enough.

Sasha decided she'd seen enough of the world, and was ready to head home. Jacob returned with her, she'd never have left him behind. Both are planning marriage, but weren't quite sure when it would be. Though her father is starting to get on her nerves, with all of his trying to make her a better queen. She has considered the option of run away if it became too much to bear, and Jacob was willing to come along.

* * *

Sierra closed the page of her diary, and looked at the rain outside her room at the Vensnia Saloon. She and Lyle were still together, traveling around the world. Their goals hadn't clashed one little bit, so it only made sense for the two lovers to continue to travel with one another.

"Hard to believe a year has passed," commented Lyle, "It seems like just yesterday I was alone in a saloon, listening to the happy people in the common room beneath my room."

"Yes, I well remember the days I lived here, before my origins became a question. I wonder what would have happened if that earthquake three years ago hadn't led to the finding of a Duplicator. Would I ever have left the saloon, and met all of you?" asked Sierra.

Lyle told her, "You probably wouldn't have left home, always thinking that you knew everything about your past. We wouldn't have met then, for if I didn't get a partner, then I wouldn't have met Sasha and Jacob. Even if I did find a partner, and met the other two, would we have spent a night here? We never slept here only because you didn't want to go back. And I think that Equitess wouldn't have appeared before us, forcing us to look harder in order to find the Guardian of Swords."

Sierra smiled. "I'm happy I met you all. If I hadn't, I would have been alone forever. But now, I've not only found friends who can help me through the tough times, but a man who I love with all my heart." She leaned in closer, and gave him a kiss on the lips. Lyle returned the favor instantly.

'Alone, she was never alone,' thought Kyoku, 'She always had me with her. Oh well, at least she's back to the way she was before she knew that her real father hadn't abandoned her at the saloon, the Sierra I grew up with ever since I was just a baby Wind Mouse.'

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

I just thought Sierra having a diary would be a nice way to describe the other character's fates. For if I wanted to devote dialogue to each of them, I'd have about five chapters about nothing. Well, time to thank all those who contributed to this. First, to Media Vision for the Wild ARMs series. Then, the variety sites that got me into the game in the first place. Ok, now to the makers of every anime and game I ripped some stupid gag off of (can't name them all). And to whatever sites or friends got me into that one in the first place.