Chapter 33
The Road Ahead
Meridian
Even after the war had ended, and the troops had been brought home, there were no celebrations in the capital. The people of Meridian had no desire to give any thoughts to the conflict that had taken place, or its heavy cost. Instead, they humbly went about their business without pomp and circumstance, focusing solely on whatever task they were undertaking.
The Guardians normally helped with the clean up, but since the battle had mostly taken place outside of the city, there was little to fix. Elyon had decided that the girls should be allowed to enjoy a rest day, and declined any offers of help. 'This was Meridian's problem, and we shall fix it' was all the queen had said.
But while Elyon was ready to forget about the war as well, there was still certain business that could not be ignored. The most important of which was the memorial for those lost in the fighting. Preparations had been quickly made, and it was before a large crowd that Elyon took to the stage.
"I am told," she began, "that it is customary when one of Meridian's men or women fall in battle to say it was a 'glorious death'. But there was no glory in war. And there is never any glory in death, only in life. We will remember how they lived, apologize for how they died, and we will try to do right by them in our lives. It's the least we can do."
A salute was given, a moment of silence was observed, and those who fell were finally at peace.
The whole ceremony had been very polite and quiet, with people giving condolences when necessary, and help when needed. Elyon watched her people, and couldn't help but give a little smile. After all the people of Meridian had been through the past 20 years or so, no one would blame them for finally breaking. In fact, Elyon had half expected their rage and grief over the unjust war to boil over into violence, or hate, but instead she saw the opposite. People smiled and waved to each other, and everyone worked hard to do their part to help. They went on as they always had, not in spite of their grief, but because of it. She was their Queen, and it was her job to give them strength. On days like today, however, she found it also worked the other way around.
Earth
Will sat on a speaker, nursing an ice tea while Matt played a familiar riff on his guitar, or at least attempted to.
"Bah!" Matt said, threating to hurl his guitar across the garage. "It's hopeless. Utterly hopeless! I just can't play this song today!"
"Aw, don't worry, you'll get it." Will said, taking another sip.
"I don't need to get it, I already had it." Matt said. "I had it yesterday, and the day before that and the week before that. But today, it's gone."
"That whole Eric thing kind of got to you, huh?" Will said.
Matt pretended not to hear the question, and busied himself with his equipment.
"Hey, it got to me too!" Will said, standing up. "Someone we cared about almost died. I'd be worried if it didn't effect you."
"Technically, he did die, and you brought him back from the dead." Matt said. "We're probably going to have to talk about that whole thing sometime."
"Yes, but not now." Will said.
"I know, because you want to talk about us instead." Matt said rolling his eyes. "About how Eric kinda dying means I shouldn't be on missions anymore because it's too much of a risk. I know exactly what you're going to say."
"And I'm bothering you by saying it?" Will asked, eyebrow raised.
"No, you're bothering me because you're right." Matt said.
"So you'll admit I'm right?" She said, trying to restrain her happiness at Matt's admission.
"No!" Matt replied. "Maybe… It was a fluke what happened to Eric. One in a million!"
"So?" Will said. "It's death we're talking about. One in a million is still too likely. Next time, we probably won't be able to bring someone back, and honestly? That scares me. A lot."
Matt noticed Will go quiet and turn away as she finished. She really was scared, and his shaking hands betrayed his true feelings as well. He put his arms around her, and they both seemed to calm down.
"You know what?" Matt said. "Right now, I don't care. I don't care about missions, or wars, or anything else. We're alive, and we're together. Let's just be thankful."
Will found it difficult to argue with that.
Meridian
Irma entered the medical bay of Meridian castle and found Hay Lin already sitting comfortably by Eric's bed. Doctor Patillo had recommended that Eric be kept under surveillance until the full effects of what was now being called his 'resurrection' could be understood. Still, the good doctor was confident that Eric would be sent home in a few days time with a clean bill of health.
Hay Lin looked up briefly to give Irma a smile but it was clear that her attention was focused mainly on Eric. Irma was fine with this, as she had her eyes set on the bed across from Eric's, in which lay Walli, a long white bandage wrapped around his left arm.
"Hey." Irma said, sitting down next to Walli. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm quite well, thank you Irma." Walli replied. "And you?"
"Yesterday you had a sword plunged into your arm." Irma replied, giving Walli a skeptical look. "How can you possibly be feeling 'quite well'?"
Walli paused for a moment, looking around the medical bay.
"I am alive, the people of Meridian are relatively safe, and I am in the presence of excellent company." Walli said. "So, yes, I am feeling quite well."
"Well, I'm glad to see you're in good spirits." Irma said with a smile.
"We're fine too, thanks for asking." Raythor said, sitting up on his bed, which was beside Walli's.
Irma looked up to see both Raythor and Vathek nearby, each sitting up straight. Doctor Patillo had said that Vathek was suffering minor concussion-like symptoms, and that Raythor's legs had been badly burnt, but neither was in serious condition. Both were expected to be up and about with in a few weeks.
"I mean, we did defeat four members of the R.E.G at great personal harm, but sure, let's all look at Walli's arm." Raythor said with a smile.
"Oh, we all know you two are alright." Irma replied. "You're both too stubborn to die."
"Raythor, I think we're being taken for granted." Vathek said.
"I'll say. Next time, she can get blown up fighting the R.E.G." Raythor replied. "Oh well, out with the old, in with the new."
"They've been like this for a while now." Walli said, glaring over at his co-wounded.
"Raythor and Vathek getting along?" Irma said. "We're having miracles all over the place!"
"It was a miracle that we all managed to survive that fight." Walli said. "I've never been in a battle so…"
"Intense?" Vathek said.
"Awesome?" Raythor offered
"Big." Walli said. "But apart from the three of us present, no member of the Honor Guard was severely injured. In fact, Caleb has already gone back to training."
"I thought him training by himself was what got him in trouble in the first place." Irma said, frowning.
"Oh, he's not by himself." Vathek said with a smile.
Cornelia didn't know whether to smile or frown as she watched Caleb tumble through the air. Cornelia quickly created a stone ramp, which Caleb used to slide his way to safety. The two had been practicing the maneuver for sometime now, leaving a smile on Caleb's face, and a string of bruises down his arms and legs. While Cornelia doubted this was the safest or most practical method for Caleb to unwind after the battle, she couldn't deny that his smile was a welcome sight.
"Nice." Caleb said, wiping the sweat of his brow. "I think we've nailed it. Now let's try that other move, the one we were working on before."
"Caleb, don't you think we should take a break?" Cornelia said.
"And stop all the fun we're having?" Caleb replied.
Cornelia sighed, and created four stone pillars in a staggered pattern, each slightly tilted outwards. Caleb ran up to them and leapt from pillar to pillar, until he used the last one to propel himself high into the air. Cornelia formed another, larger pillar, which Caleb used like a fireman's pole to land safely, planting a kiss on Cornelia's cheek as he hit the ground.
"I like that you're having fun…" Cornelia began.
"But?"
"But… promise me that you're doing this because you want to, and not because of some guilt over the war."
"I'm doing this for fun, not guilt."
"Good."
"Mostly."
"Caleb…"
"You have to admit, Cornelia," Caleb said, grabbing a towel from a nearby rack, "Things weren't exactly handled well during that war. There should never have been one in the first place."
"Caleb, there's nothing you could have done…" Cornelia began.
"I know, I know." Caleb said. "How about this, it's not guilt, but a desire to improve. Besides, this is both practical and enjoyable. And it's a lot more fun when I've got someone to keep me company. Especially when that person is you."
"The feeling is mutual." Cornelia said with a smile.
"Good." Caleb replied. "Now, let's try that one more time."
Balsilide
When President Wilder walked onto the Royal Training Room's observation deck, she was not surprised to find Balken already there, staring intently down at the practice floor below. He was watching Selna's new magic teacher walk her through the steps of controlling her powers. One of Wilders' first duties as President had been to give Selna the attention she needed, yet was so sorely lacking at Rikar's hands. That had meant that Selna was no longer being trained by Balken, who had many other matters to attend to, but by an elder who was experienced with magic. Still, Balken had great interest of Selna's development, and most of his free time was spent keeping a distant eye on her.
"She's progressing nicely." Balken said, never letting his gaze leave the training floor. "Both of you are. Especially considering the consequences Wilder. Or I suppose now it's President Wilder."
"Thank you," Wilder replied, joining Balken at his post. "But it will be a long time before I get used to you calling me that. Thankfully, the position is only a temporary one."
"Then there will be another election? A new president will be named?" Balken asked.
"I believe so, yes. It is one of many things Balsilide must deal with in the coming months." Wilder said, glancing over at the R.E.G leader. "I rely on you greatly, Balken. How are you handling recent events?"
"I am… uncomfortable." Balken said. "All this turmoil and chaos, it is more then I am used to. I prefer order and stability, yet I can find none. So much of what I am used to has ended. I feel like I'm on…"
"Meridian?" Wilder finished."
"Yes. A world full of chaos. I don't know how they do it sometimes."
"Because they have no choice." Wilder replied. "And neither do we. We have a city to protect and people to serve. That has not changed. You say things have come to an end? Well, we must make sure that what comes next is something worth beginning."
"Besides." Balken said. "If Meridian can do it, surely we can."
"Don't sell Meridian too short." Wilder said. "They are stronger then you think. After all, they defeated you."
Balken turned to argue, but Wilder was already gone. Frowning as he turned back to the training floor, Balken turned over Wilder's words in his mind. As much as he hated to admit it, Balken did respect Meridian. That didn't mean he wouldn't be happy if he never saw any of them again, however. He had enough problems to worry about at home on Balsilide.
Kandrakar
The days following Himerish's return were arguably the most productive days in Kandrakar's history. Himerish was quickly and unanimously re-elected as Oracle, and he wasted no time in bringing the fortress back into shape. The elders all worked with a passion that had been missing in the previous months. It was true that Kandrakar had been less then perfect in their recent attempts to ensure peace in the universe, but that knowledge did not seem to affect their morale. As Himerish had said in his induction speech, "We must learn from the sins of the past, while keeping our minds and hearts focused on the hopes of the future". While Himerish always made sure there was room in his heart for hope, he knew better then most how difficult the road ahead would be. As he walked through the newly restored council room, he was joined by Yan Lin, one of the few others who shared his fears and his hopes.
"You can always tell who the true Oracle is by finding the person who looks most troubled." Yan Lin said.
"Then should have no reason to doubt my authenticity."
"I never did."
Himerish couldn't help but smile, but it was short and fleeting, quickly replaced by his more familiar expression.
"The most precious commodity in the universe today is time. Yet I feel ours has been wasted these past few months." He said.
"As frustrating as recent events have been, there was good that came out of them." Yan Lin replied.
"But even if we have caused good, we are no closer to preventing disaster."
"You are referring to Endarno's prediction?"
"Yes. It looms on the horizon of my thoughts, and I fear it draws closer. Yet we are in no better position to stop it."
"And…?" Yan Lin ventured.
"And what?"
"There is something else that bothers you." Yan Lin said. "Trust a Grandmothers instinct."
Himerish sighed, having slightly forgotten about Yan Lin's excellent intuition.
"It is regarding the boy, Eric." Himerish said. "I am happy he lives, but a resurrection like that has rarely been attempted, and never succeeded."
"Aren't you forgetting Cassidy?" Yan Lin asked. "She died, yet now she lives. Where is the difference between her and Eric?"
"Cassidy's spirit was still alive. It survived Nerissa's attack." Himerish said. "Whether that was the workings of Nerissa's subconscious, or an unknown talent of the Heart of Kandrakar, I do not know. But Eric was, by all measures, dead. Now he is alive."
"I fail to see how that's a bad thing." Yan Lin replied.
"I… It's probably nothing." Himerish said.
"Which almost always means it's something." Yan Lin countered.
"There are certain things even Guardians should not attempt." Himerish said. "Certain powers that should not be tampered with, and certain laws that should not be broken. The Guardians broke those laws. I can only guess at the consequences."
Himerish and Yan Lin continued to walk through the halls of Kandrakar, observing where pillars and walls now stood tall once more, rebuilt as a testament to the enduring strength of Kanrakar. One of the many benefits of being an Oracle was that the roads of the future were open for viewing. As the troubles on Balsilide and Meridian were over, he turned his gaze forward to these paths once more. Yet now, Himerish found these roads blurry. Paths were unclear, and the fate of those he cared about was unknown. He could make no predictions about the future, save one. The journey was far from over.
Author's Note
3 down…
So ends W.I.T.C.H Season 5: Homeland (well, mostly. There will be a short epilogue). I hope everyone enjoyed it, and I'd like to thank you all for continuing to share this journey with me. The support has been overwhelming, and I appreciate all the wonderful feedback I've received. I've had a wonderful time writing these stories, and for that you all have my eternal gratitude. As always, please give me your opinions and impressions of the story.
Obviously, there are still a lot of questions at the end of this Season. What about Endarno's prophesy? What are the consequences of Eric's resurrection? All I can say is that there are answers, I already know what they are, and you will receive then in Season 6. Yes, there will be a Season 6, but it is with sadness and excitement that it will probably be the last Season I write. I don't know what the future holds for my writing (other then there will be another Season), but I do want to be able to provide an ending to my story. What will that ending be? You'll have to come back to find out.