AGNOMAKHOS
by Ulquiorra9000
Epilogue
Once again clad in a Reverent Army mage uniform, Alex stood with hundreds of his fellows late one afternoon the week after Phenax's downfall. The entire Reverent Army stood together on the academy's back grounds, where their fallen comrades lay in freshly-dug graves. Everyone stood together by platoon and battalion, so Alex was with Olivia, Milo and Ulga, his old friends. At least some things didn't change.
A priest finished her ovation to the fallen, and Alex saluted with the rest. So many lives paid for Phenax's expulsion from the city, he thought heavily. He still felt pride at his and Jaina's role in the affair, but he didn't let it show. He had learned a thing or two over the last few months, and humility was one of them.
The other battalions departed, but First Battalion stayed in place as the academy's elderly headmaster walked onto the grounds, a scroll one hand and a white cape in the other. He nodded to Jaina and Alex, then addressed the battalion. "Good soldiers, it is time to restore our ranks after the losses we have endured. Jaina, Alex, step forward."
Alex obeyed, as did Jaina. He was suddenly aware of everyone else staring at him, and he tried not to flush. But he cheered up when the headmaster spoke again. "Jaina, in light of Colonel Kulla's death and your exemplary services to Meletis, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Colonel, now and forever charged with leading First Battalion of the Reverent Army."
Alex and the others saluted as Jaina, beaming, took off her blue-trimmed captain's cape and put on the gold-trimmed cape that the headmaster gave her.
"Battle-wise mage Alex," the headmaster went on. "In light of your services to this city, you too have been deemed worthy of promotion and recognition. Take Jaina's cape and wear it with pride, for you now lead fifth platoon in her stead."
Awed, Alex accepted Jaina's cape when she offered it, and he numbly fastened it around his neck. It felt comortable, and he fought back a wide grin. He had made captain!
"You are all dismissed," the headmaster said. He looked into the distance and smiled. "But some of you have guests, so you may want to stay."
Alex saw what he meant; hoplites from Third Battalion were escorting a cluster of visitors, and among them was Valerie.
"Alex!" Valerie flung herself onto her brother when the visitors arrived. She squeezed hard. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"Takes more than a mad god to finish me," Alex laughed as the others mingled.
Valerie broke from Alex and tossed her red hair. "I figured. And hey, that cape... you're an officer?" She tugged on a corner of the cape.
"I replaced Jaina as a captain. Nice, huh?"
"Very. So..." Valerie's eyes fell. "This is as much a good-bye as a hello, Alex. The surviving council members had a meeting with me, Elsa, and a few others. We've reached some decisions on what to do next."
Alex's smile faded. "Like what?" He wasn't sure he liked Valerie's tone.
"Like... although I ultimately helped fight the real enemy, I caused many deaths before Phenax's presence was confirmed," Valerie said heavily. "Normally, I'd be condemned to the gallows. But -"
"They can't!" Alex blurted.
Valerie clamped her hands on Alex's shoulders. "Relax. It won't happen. But I'll have to leave the city forever and make a living elsewhere." She let go of Alex. "It was the best compromise we could come up with. And after I thought about it... I've had enough of this city. I'd like to go."
"But I can't come with you," Alex protested. He couldn't bear the thought of her gone.
"Alex, come on. You're a captain now! You have your duties, and besides... we're not kids anymore. We have our own lives to consider. But on the bright side..." She winked. "Meletian messenger-hawks are known for never getting lost. We can still keep in touch. Maybe you could visit me sometime, if it works out."
"I'm not sure I like this..."
"You'll have to, Alex. Things are different now. We have to accept it."
"I..." Alex looked at the expression on Valerie's face and realized that she was right. The old times were behind them both. Meletis needed Alex, and Valerie had to find her own way. He nodded. "Okay."
"So you're Valerie?"
Both Alex and Valerie jumped when Olivia wandered over. She had her usual smile in place, though it was a bit strained. Alex couldn't blame her; despite the civil war ending with Phenax's death, and the expulsion of mercenaries like Estello, Kulla's death would linger.
"Hello," Valerie said politely, extending a hand. "Yes, I'm Valerie. You?"
"Olivia, captain of platoon four, First Battalion." Olivia shook the other woman's hand. "Hard to believe that we were enemies until now. I'd much rather us get along." Her smile became a bit more genuine. "Alex has told me about you. I just had to meet you."
"And you too. I'm very sorry about your brother. I heard."
"I'll manage. At least I've got others to keep me company."
"Like my brother?"
"Definitely him. So... what will you do now, Valerie? I wasn't told."
"I'll have to leave the city as an exile. But don't worry!" Valerie hastened to add at Olivia's shocked expression. "I'll write, I promise. I'll find myself out there beyond the walls, and I'll tell both you and Alex about it. We might even meet again sometime."
Olivia folded her arms. "You'd better."
"Okay. Well... I think I have to go. Alex... Olivia... take care." Valerie whirled around and walked off to the ground's gates without a second glance. She was a determined one, after all. Looking back might weaken her resolve, Alex figured.
"We have to get going ourselves, you know," Olivia mentioned. She tossed her hair. "You're a captain now! That calls for celebration back at the barracks. Everyone'll be there!"
Alex grinned. "That sounds great." And he set off for the barracks with Olivia, his spirits high.
END.
*o*o*o*o*
A/N: I'd like to thank Drasthenes, Foxtrot Agent 21, modeluchosen1, victorbranoliver, Artfuldemon, Eludur, htffan951, Dr. Faust, and thatoneface852 for all the support for this story.
The story of Jaina and Alex is done, but I have more fiction coming! The new set, Khans of Tarkir, is coming out soon and I'm soon going to release a story for it, starring a new protagonist and new villains to fight. Stay tuned!