Hope
Epilogue
This is my story. There is little left to tell you. If you are wondering what happened to everyone, I can only tell you what I know.
Hammet honored his promise. Not a single human was killed, and everyone from Weyard was pronounced free. It was a joyous occasion, and the entire planet feasted for three days. There is still some prejudice among Slates and humans, but much has been reconciled. Many have returned to Weyard, and have begun building our broken world.
Piers and Sheba were two of these people. Both of them returned to Weyard, and aided in construction. It was not long before they had helped build an entire city. They named it Vale, after our old home. There is still much to be done, however. I do not expect them to come back and visit anytime soon.
I visited Weyard once, mainly to check and see how reconstruction was going. A giant monument in the center of Vale caught my eye. Once I had read it, I began to sob in unconditional joy and sadness. The inscription on the stone read as thus:
"HERE LIES FELIX, CHAMPION AND DEFENDER OF WEYARD."
Even though he died, Felix is very much in everyone's minds. He has not been forgotten by Weyard, and for this I am happy. Even though he did not succeed in defeating Karst, Felix is still hailed as a hero.
Kraden now works as an official alchemist in the King's home. He is doing extensive research about the elemental stars and the Golden Sun. It turns out that the elemental stars are the essence of alchemy itself. Together, they fuel an unbelievable power, which in turn forms the Golden Sun. If someone were to possess the Golden Sun, the entire universe would be at his hands. Such tremendous power is not needed here, however. Both the King and Kraden agreed to seal the elemental stars, far, far away so that none may find them. I am glad for this; we do not need another Alex.
After Alex was demoted, Garet took his place as Grand Vizier. It was the first time in history that a human had been a vizier. The King had heard Garet's report, and was pleased. While Alex may have been more cunning than Garet, Garet was so dead honest that Hammet now completely trusts him. I agree; honesty is better than stratagem.
Mia was not punished for poisoning the king's food. In fact, her bakery has now moved inside the palace. Business has never been better. Occasionally, I have seen Mia and Garet take walks outside the courtyard. I have teased them mercilessly for this, although I admit it is far too early to assume anything about their relationship.
Saturos and Menardi are the same as always. They are a strange pair. However, I must admit that I have not kept in consistent contact with them. It just brings back too many memories.
Karst and Agatio have been killed. They were mysteriously murdered in their bedrooms. No one can find any evidence of who did the crime, although there are whispered rumors that it was Alex. Perhaps I should be thankful of this. It means that we do not have to continue the investigation to find if they were indeed in league with Alex. Also, it would have created a lot of controversy for humans to accept Karst. She was the Slates champion, after all. Many held grudges against her, I being one of them. It was hard to forgive my brother's murderer.
As for Ivan and me, we are doing well. Even though I could have returned to Weyard, I stayed with the Slates. My husband and I have begun a long project, and often travel outside of the palace. We are trying to eradicate discrimination between Slates and humans. It is a difficult task, but after hearing my story and where I have come from, many have put their prejudice behind them. Ivan has become an excellent help, and I learned to truly love him, now perhaps the way I should. It took me so long.
Ivan's long lost sister, Hama, has also been found. Alex had told Hamma that she was nothing but a commoner. Imagine her surprise when we told her she was a princess! Now she lives inside the palace. Ivan and she spend much time together, no doubt catching up on all the days they have lost. Hamma is also undergoing intense training, so that she someday may take the throne. She seems hesitant about doing so. I know she has thought about passing the crown onto Ivan, but I think that she will grow and become a wonderful Queen.
Alex was sentenced to be executed, three days after our dinner party with Hammet. When the Slates opened his cell, no one was inside. Alex had escaped the night before. There were intense search parties that tried to hunt him down, but no one ever found him. Recently the King has given up finding him, and only a few hardcore hunters remain.
Every sundown, as long as I am able, I return to the courtyard balcony. I still wait for Isaac to come, although he has not done so yet. Once I asked Saturos if Isaac was still with him. Saturos told me that Isaac had disappeared on the night of Ivan's proposal. Exactly where he went or what became of him, no one knows. But I believe that one day Isaac will return. This is still one of my desires, although I now know that I do not truly love him. He was a wonderful friend, and I can't wait to see how he adapts to this new world. Isaac had become so accustomed to his new life that I wonder what it would be like for him to be free.
I believe that Isaac will return someday. Always, I shall continue to hope for this, and wait for him until the day I die.
A/N: Please read this author's note! I actually have important stuff to say for once.
No, I didn't set this up so I could make a sequel. This story is done.
I have a request for reviewers; you don't have to do this, but it would seriously help me out a lot. The main point of this story for me, was so that I could test out a technique that we learned about in lit. Please tell me what you think happened to Alex and Isaac in your review. There is no right or wrong answer, so don't worry. If you are too lazy tell me, ok. Chances are you wouldn't review anyway, lol.
But for everyone who DOES review this chapter, lucky you. Since I won't be adding another chapter, I will respond to your reviews via email. Yup, that's right. Personal responses. Or if you don't want me to respond, either tell me or refuse to provide your email.
I will be editing this story now. There won't be any drastic changes, but I'll probably put complete w/ edits in the summary when I finish.
Now for a good advertisement for my next fan fic. If you liked this story, chances are you will like my next one. I have a description of it in my profile, so check it out, ok?
Oh yea, it should be noted that I will be working on Shadowed and my website before I start the next story, though. Tough. But I gotta catch up on stuff I have been neglecting for weeks that I really don't have to do but would like to.
The ending for this story was bittersweet. Most of my serious stories have bittersweet endings.
Chapter 10 Reviewer Acknowledgments:
Spirit Icana: Isaac succeeded in dying my fursona's fur blue. Unfortunately for him, Meneil is a blue lynx, so it didn't really matter, lol. Alex escaped from prison, so I'll just be sittin' here all alone for a while. But anyway, thanks for sticking with the story, I am glad you like it. As for updating, I actually did kind of crummy, I usually update once a week, and I have failed miserably. I like reviews, but I don't live off of them. Actually this story got a lot of reviews; at least for me. .-.
SpasticDjinn: Erm, you reviewed fast. Not everyone reads it the day the new chapter comes out. Well anyway, thanks! I'm glad you liked the story, and thanks for sticking with it for so long.
Corycian Muse: But Hammet being King isn't nearly as cool as Ivan being a warlord. When I first read your story, I pointed to the screen and screamed in joy, lol. Isaac never came… So sad… Anyway, thanks. I'm really glad you've been here from the beginning, it is exciting for me.
Raielono: Hm… I think Isaac must have dropped the food dye after you smacked him. Thanks, glad you liked the chapter.
Xanda: Ah, and things have been revealed. Sort of. Well, at least the story is finished now. Yes, school started for me. It is not fun. Our mid-quarter is coming up, actually. Wow, you read the story in the airport? That must have been hard.