Tormented

Epilogue

And here we are! :D

The end of this book! lol

It's hard to believe it's been a little over a year since I published this story (March 7th of 2016 to be exact) and to see it grow really made me happy. It couldn't have happened with all you readers and as such, thank you. I really appreciate you all and I hope that the sequel will bring just as much as enjoyment as Tormented did.

As such, here it the Epilogue C:


Amara Carina Wahl and Nahala Aleeza Wahl.

Those were the names of the two little girls that Neve had brought into the world. And how beautiful they were.

The 'older' of the two, Amara, holds the same blue eyes as her mother but her hair carries the same shade of her father, her dark strands matching her fair skin. Nahala looks identical to her sister with the exception of her eyes: a light shade of turquoise. A mixture of both Akiva's gold and Neve's blue.

Both little girls were born healthy (much to the two Guardian's relief) and with permission from Matt, Akiva brought little Oraxsis in to meet his younger sisters. At first, the young Guardian looked bewildered, confused at the prospect of having younger siblings. But after holding one of his sisters (with help) in his arms, the twinkle in his golden gaze was enough to tell Akiva that Ora was going to protect them; no matter the cost.

As such, with another quick check up on both the newborns and the mother, Matt shuffled both father and son outside, claiming that the former needed rest. Despite his protest, Akiva relented when Ora yawned in his arms; a sign of his need to sleep; although this doesn't mean that Akiva is going to wander far.

Pacing back and forth in the middle of the Plaza, Akiva patted the now sleeping Ora's back in order to help him sleep, an action that bewilders the latter's Ghost.

"The more I spend time with you 'organics', the more I am bewildered by your actions. How does 'patting' a back lull one to sleep?"

"It's comforting," Akiva laughed at the puzzled look Gaia gave Lex, "It's gentle. A reassurance that you're there, even when you're asleep."

"So, he has to do this when he grows?"

"Until he gets old enough when he doesn't need it anymore," Akiva responded, earning another bewildered look from the gold and crimson Ghost, "but right now, at this stage, he needs as much love and care as he can."

"Speaking of getting 'old enough'," The human Titan turned his gaze towards Lex, "Are you going to enroll Ora into that little Academy they're starting?"

Akiva paused at his Ghost's question.

Back when Akiva saw the little girl with her Ghost, the human Titan had at first thought that she had taken the small star shaped AI into her care. But in reality, after a bit of digging, the Ghost had 'chosen' the little girl as its Guardian. At first, Akiva thought against of informing the Vanguard but after seeing the desperate look in the mother's eyes, the human Titan had decided it was for the best. As soon as he had reported it in, news spread of the little girl being selected as a Guardian; and more like her started to make their way towards the Tower.

It wasn't just children who were selected by Ghosts. There were some adults who were chosen as well alongside those who had hardly made it to their coming of age; there were reports of even young infants being chosen by Ghosts to be the next generation of Guardians. As such, with the knowledge that 'living' beings can be selected, the Speaker announced that an Academy will be built near the Tower to let the 'younger' of those chosen to be educated on their future as Soldiers of the Light. The ones who were 'mature' enough were already housed at the Tower, the more 'experienced' Guardians teaching them the ways of the field.

"Perhaps, counting on how well it goes," Hearing Ora let out a small whine, Akvia then rubbed his son's back, hearing his whimpers quiet down to gentle breathing, "and who is going to head the Academy."

"Hopefully someone trust worthy," Gaia muttered out, "and competent. If my Guardian is going to head to this Academy, 'I' am going to be stuck with him as well." Akiva then heard the gold and crimson Ghost let out a scoff, "I am not going to float around and listen to some nonsense. Waste of time."

"Then let's hope this Academy will do its job," Lex retorted, "a new generation of Guardians, 'living' Guardians, will be joining our ranks soon. It will be a waste if it doesn't work."

Another scoff from Gaia, "'Living' Guardians. Who would have thought that Guardians sleeping around down in the City will produce offspring born naturally with the Light? They need to find a way to find pleasure 'without' impregnating the females."

"Oh geez, what's wrong with Guardians that are selected when they're 'alive'?" Akiva can easily sense the narrowed glance Lex gave to his fellow Ghost, "sure it's going to take some years for them to get to accustom to being a 'Guardian', but it's nice to know that we're gaining numbers."

"Are you so sure?" Gaia's words caused Lex to pause, "True we're gaining ranks but what makes you think that the 'living' and the 'dead' Guardians will intermingle positively?" Another scoff from the gold and crimson Ghost, "You have a 'human' as a Guardian so you wouldn't understand, but back when Sun was my Guardian, the two of learned that even the smallest of 'differences' can lead to extreme prejudice."

"That is not going to happen here."

A sigh from Gaia, "All I am going to say is this; be careful. It may not occur now but it 'will' occur later."

Taking in the words of the gold and crimson Ghost, Akiva glanced at the sleeping form of his son in his arms, listening to him breathe steadily as his mind wandered. It was no doubt that years from now, that when little Oraxsis comes of age, he is going to take up the mantle of a Guardian; but Akiva wonders how others will treat him because of it. How will the Guardians who were previously 'dead' react when they figure out there is a 'living' Guardian amongst their numbers, one who holds all the memory of his childhood and the love and care he received from his family? Will they accept him amongst their ranks?

"Don't worry so much about it, Akiva," The human Titan snapped out of his thoughts from Lex's words, "Mister Negativity here is just being too pessimistic about gaining numbers."

"I am 'not' pessimistic, I am being realistic."

"Same thing." Akiva let out a sheepish smile as Gaia glared at Lex in retort, "or as Angel would say, 'Pessimism and realism goes hand in hand when things seem dour'."

At the mention of the human Hunter's name, the smile on Akiva's face faded. Not long after Aleeza's death had spread, Angel had packed up some supplies and headed out into the Wilds; an occurrence that Akiva understands is how Hunters mourn. Ever since then, all the Tower had received from the human Hunter was a string of short messages and white noise to signal his survival and his alliance to the Tower; he hadn't even came to visit when Akiva sent out a frequency of the birth of the twins.

The human Titan just hopes that the human Hunter will return soon.

With this in mind, Akiva then let his thoughts wander over to Ianos, recalling how Matt repeatedly stated over and over again how he was 'upgrading' the Awoken Warlock's system; in other words, keeping Ianos bedridden. All Akiva had to comment was that it was taking a lot longer than everyone had anticipated. Every time a question is asked how quickly it was going to be finished, all the Medic would respond with is 'soon'; even Ianos seemed annoyed by this answer the last time Akiva had visited the Warlock.

Nonetheless, currently, Akiva and Angel are the only 'active' members of Fireteam Redacted but with him being a father and Angel out in the Wilds, the team was considered to be on standby; at least, until they regain their numbers.

Hearing Ora let out another whimper, a small smile faded onto Akiva's pale features as he stated, "Alright, alright, we're going inside. Getting a little chilly out here."

Before he turned towards the apartments, the human Titan turned and glanced back at the broken form of the Traveler. The thoughts of Angel being alone out in the Wild, Ianos still in the Medical Bay, Pluto struggling to revive his old clan, and with both Carina and Aleeza gone from the world of the living, Akiva couldn't help but breath out a single sentence.

"Let the Light of the Traveler guide you."

With his words spoken, Akiva turned and headed inside with Lex and Gaia following behind.


The Prologue of the Sequel will be out later this week (maybe, counting on how quickly I can type it out...and if I can think up of a title lol), so keep an eye out!

Also, reminder, characters that did not make an appearance in this story will be transfered over to the sequel. So if you didn't see your character here, they 'will' make an appearance in the sequel and once again, I apologize for the long wait.

Again, for the sake of the long waiting list and for my time, I am no longer accepting characters as of March 15. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Anyway, I once again thank you all for reading Tormented and once again, I hope the sequel will bring as much enjoyment.

Appreciate you all!