Epilogue-
"Chaos…" Bloom whispered, her small voice somehow echoing through the dark area that had been Kerrin's sanctuary. She was staring into a vision of her friends mourning her. The girls were all crying uncontrollably and receiving half-hearted comforting from the guys. Sky just stared off into space, his eyes so empty Bloom wanted reach into the vision and grab his hands to make him feel something other than loss. The vision shifted to her parents. Oritel looked so weary and sad as Miriam shook with stifled sobs. Another shift. Mike and Vanessa were hugging one another… Shift. The pixies were all gathering around a broken-hearted Lockette… As vision after vision appeared, Bloom felt oncoming tears and hung her head to hide them. "They're all hurting so badly…" she murmured.
A hand gently settled on Bloom's shoulder and she looked up to see Meira waving her other hand through the vision. As the vision dissipated, she glanced down at Bloom with a look of sympathy. "It was probably the best outcome for you, Diaspro, and your friends. Chaos was able to erase their memories of the Eternal Fairies. They believe you and Diaspro merely died in an accident. With you and Diaspro dead, your friends are left with memories of you and the chance to move on. Chaos could've allowed things to be undone, but where would that leave you Bloom? Would your friends have come to exist? Your family? You yourself would have been inconsolable. It was an act of mercy on Chaos' part. Especially for Diaspro…" Meira cast a glance behind her.
Bloom followed Meira's gaze to where Diaspro stood flanked by Eilian and Aetheria. She looked away from Bloom while biting her lip, her guilt over what happened obvious. "I… Bloom I'm…"
"No." Bloom stated flatly. She turned from Diaspro and stared at the empty space where the visions had been Her lip trembled as she remembered Sky's despondence. "I don't want to hear it." she stated. She wasn't ready to forgive Diaspro for ruining her life. This time Diaspro had gone too far. "I…I just can't right now, Diaspro…"
Diaspro was about to say something, then sighed and nodded. "Fine. But don't forget we have to work together now." She glanced away from Bloom to Meira. "Where do we go from here? I mean… now that we're Eternal Fairies…" Bloom watched as she removed something from her pocket. "I can actually feel the darkness calling to me all of a sudden. Does that mean…"
Eilian answered her. "The gods, the universe, Chaos…" Eilian gave Bloom a wary glance, "…they've all accepted you two as Eternal fairies. Diaspro, your acceptance of the role has allowed your new powers to take hold and replace your powers over gems and crystals. Bloom…" Eilian frowned, "…I'm not too sure what will happen. Your situation is unprecedented."
Bloom held up her palm and watched small flames begin to dance about her fingertips. "My powers don't feel any different. Then again, Chaos said I tend to draw chaos to me. Perhaps my Dragon Fire is meant to represent chaos." Bloom clenched her hand, putting out the vibrant flames. "Ironic… my life falls to chaos and now I'm his servant."
"You'll find life is the ultimate irony." Eilian said softly. She gave Bloom a grim smile, her gray eyes appearing to be particularly dark as she spoke. "At least that's what Kerrin used to say to me whenever I complained how life wasn't fair."
"What makes the irony bearable is the people who help to push you through it. The people who help you give your life meaning will make it seem less of a joke." Aetheria added. Her blue eyes were bright and sincere as she spoke. "Bloom, Diaspro… just remember that you aren't alone. You're our sisters now and we'll be those people. We'll stand by you and be there when the irony is at its greatest. You'll learn to make the best of this seemingly lonely existence." She walked over to Bloom and took her hand. Then she began tugging her toward the dark depths beyond what used to be Kerrin's sanctuary. "Not to mock Eilian, but time is of the essence. We must get the two of you settled into your new existences before things begin to drift out of control. Without someone to maintain the aspects, they tend to fall to entropy. Come now, Bloom. Eilian will stay here with Diaspro. I'll take you to your sanctuary, where your charges are hidden and you can watch over the universe as is your duty."
"Duty." Bloom repeated after Aetheria, allowing the eager fairy to drag her toward her ominous and unknown destiny. She glanced back at her new sisters one last time. Meira gazed after her for a moment then turned away, disappearing into the heavy darkness. Eilian gave her a small smile and nodded encouragingly. Diaspro just stared after her sadly and Bloom felt a small pang of guilt herself. She forced herself to offer Diaspro the smallest of smiles. "Our duty…" Then she turned away and followed Aetheria into the shadows.
-Author's Note- Cliffhanger and then an epilogue… thought I'd better elaborate on Bloom and Diaspro's futures as they were obviously the ones at the crossroads. I hope you all enjoyed Destruction. Feedback is appreciated and I just love to hear from my readers about what they liked, so don't hesitate to review! Thanks for keeping up with my sporadic bouts of writing. To treat you all for being such great readers, I'm going to offer you all a sneak peek of what's on my list of upcoming stories! So stay tuned for the sneak peek chapter I'm posting on this story. Thanks again!