Important Note:

Before the final chapter of my Eternity War story rolls, I'd like to thank everyone who's been hanging on until the end of the line! Now that college is over for me and so are the holidays, what better time than now to begin my series finale of the Arcadia Saga! The beginning of the new year comes with the beginning of the end!

I'd also like to say there will be no "Previously On" segment for this final episode as I'm kind of exhausted from it and it's also how I'm treating this finale too. No more notes at the end either unless it's super important as well. One other thing before I begin writing is that I'll be writing in a whole new format for my stories which has made it easier and quicker for me to write. Starting with this final episode of Life Is Strange: Eternity War. A sort of script format per se. You'll know once you start reading.

Anyway, without further or do, happy 2023, and enjoy the final episode as it begins now!

Chapter 1: I Can't Say Goodbye To Yesterday

Max

Age: 17

September 1st, 2013

7:59 AM

Seattle, Washington

Caulfield Residence

Wake Up – Arcade Fire

I slept in my bedroom and morning came. Listening to "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire which was the song that came on from my phone alarm. I slowly but surely started waking up before I could hit the snooze button on my smartphone alarm to shut it off. Once I was out of bed, I knew today was the day I'd be moving out of Seattle and back to my hometown of Arcadia Bay. I had already packed all my essentials for my dorm at Blackwell Academy last night in my traveling bags. With my bus ticket ready to travel to my home town.

I walked out of my room to prepare my morning routine. Brushing my teeth, hitting the shower, eating breakfast Mom makes, and changing clothes for my travels. My bus was about to arrive in less than half-hour. Once I was fully dressed, I grabbed my bags and walked downstairs to the living room where I would wait for the bus to come.

*song ends*

I sat down on the couch and opened one of my bags to take a look at some of the pictures I chose to bring with me. I took look at the picture of Dad and me on the Space Needle, the picture of me in my Thunderbirds jersey at the Thunderbirds game, Fernando and Kristen and I on top of the Troll, and even older pictures like Chloe and I with William as well as my favorite picture with Chloe and I as pirates. Then I catch my fingers with the photo of Alex and me back at the Roland Estate. The first photo I took of the Polaroid Camera Alex had given to me as my unofficial birthday gift. I look at the photo and think back to how Alex inspired me to go on the journey we once dreamed of before she passed ten months ago. Every day since I've wondered to myself. Is it my fault Alex was killed during that heist? Or did she bring it on herself? A question I've lingered and dreaded since the funeral.

Ryan: Hey, Max. Whatcha doing?

I got startled once Dad touched my shoulder and sat next to me.

Max: Oh, hey, Dad. Thought I'd have one last good look at my memories here in Seattle. Before packing away back to Arcadia Bay. Where I'll finish my high school tenure.

Dad noticed I had been looking at the picture of Alex and me and he already knew I was still upset over the incident that occurred months ago. A trauma of mine that has been felt since.

Ryan: Hey, there. I know what you're thinking, but we've been over this before. Going to Blackwell and back to Arcadia is meant to be a fresh start for yourself. Away from the nonsense you've been had here. And dwelling on Alex isn't going to change what happened to her.

Max: I've been telling myself the same thing since it happened. It's my fault Alex is gone. I'll really could have talked her out of it. Or best yet stay out of it. Maybe she'd still be alive. Now we can't see Uncle Bryan anymore and I feel the same thing Chloe felt when she lost her dad.

Ryan: You can't change what happened to Alex any more than we can't change what happened to Chloe's dad. This is supposed to be a good thing. When you're back in our hometown, it'll all feel like a nightmare. Heck, you can try and get back in touch with Chloe and Joyce if they're still there. You can get back what you couldn't have for five years now.

Max: Alex was like my new Chloe to me, Dad. She was the reason I got through our move to Seattle with ease. Her, Fernando, and Kristen alike. People I haven't seen since our house arrest.

Ryan: You've been talking to them through Skype.

Max: I meant in person. Face to face. Alex and I were this close to going on our adventure of a lifetime until our naivete caught up to us. That dream of us on Meridian Prime finding the Ark of Genesis which all ended when Alex's life did. I look at this picture now and I can't say goodbye to yesterday. I just can't.

Ryan: You and Chloe used to dream of being pirates one day. Pirates with William too. Look how that ended. (sigh) Sorry, if – if that sounded morbid. That point, not all dreams are meant to be. But some dreams that don't come true can be made into new dreams that do. All that matters now is that you go back to Arcadia Bay, get your diploma at Blackwell Academy, and be the photographer you always wished to be as well. That's a better dream worth coming true. Mark Jefferson's photography program can be your gateway to all of that guarantee.

Max: Dad, may I ask you something?

Ryan: You may.

Max: Let's say you had the power to time travel. The power to rewind time maybe. To go back in time. To change what happened to Alex. Maybe to change our falling Bryan too. What would you do to change everything?

Ryan: Max, it's like I said. There's nothing we can do to change what happened. Alex made her choice. Bryan made his. You made yours. We all now must live with the consequence regardless of what could have been done to prevent it all. Heck, even I made choice I now have to live with too.

Max: What do you mean?

Ryan: Well, there – there was a time when your uncle and I had some disagreements before you were even born. Part of the reason we're no longer seeing him now. Besides your cousin's passing.

Max: And what were those disagreements? What other reasons do we have for not seeing Bryan anymore?

Ryan: (paused) Maybe those can be good questions with good answers for another time. A time when you're ready to hear them.

Dad patted my shoulder and got off the couch. I never knew what he meant by not being ready to hear them know but what I did know was that the bus would be arriving soon and it was time to pack it up. I made sure I had everything and put everything back in my bags where they belonged. That's when Mom arrived and approached me in the living room where I sat down.

Vanessa: Max, sweetie, the bus is arriving soon. Do you have everything you need?

Max: Yes, Mom. I do.

Vanessa: Bus is arriving in fifteen minutes. I recommend you get to it.

I get off the couch, grab my bags, and walk out the front door with my mother and father. We decided to give each other one last good farewell before I return home to my new school. Outside in the front yard where I'd be waiting for the bus to come. I hug my parents and we say our goodbyes.

Vanessa: Be safe, Max. We're so sorry you can't be here with us, but we still love you. You're still our little girl. Someone we truly want to make a difference in her life. We really do.

Max: I will, Mom. It won't be easy, but I'm gonna need it.

Ryan: No matter how many times you've disappointed us before, we're still proud of you.

Max: I know.

The bus arrived at my house. I got on the bus, took my seat, and turned my head towards my loving parents waving goodbye to me. My mom cuddles her hands around my dad's arm with a sad but happy frown. My dad makes the same. I smile and wave back at them. Before turning my head frontwards as the bus was departing.

As the bus had driven away, I laid my head back down to rest my eyes for as long as I could and hoped I didn't rest for too long so I wouldn't miss my stop at Arcadia Bay. Speaking of, it was finally happening. After five years apart, I was, at last, returning to my hometown in Oregon. Where I was off to rejuvenate my pursuit in photography at Blackwell Academy and return to the life I left behind at the bay itself. And where I'd be seeing Chloe Price again really soon. Hopefully.

Max

Age: 21

July 25th, 2017

6:01 AM

Mediterranean Sea

USCC Oregon

I jerked my eyes open from the latest nightmare I had about Ares. Perhaps the last one I'll ever have. I lift my head and body upward, rub my eye and turn my head towards Chloe lying down with her eyes rested. It was past six in the morning and today was finally the day. Chloe started waking up. I catch my breath as she turns to me to see me awake too.

Chloe: You can't sleep?

Max: It's already morning.

Chloe: Already?

Max: I hope everyone is ready.

Chloe: You don't need to worry about that. You rallied who you could. Ares won't get any more chances to divide us. This time, the world follows our lead.

Max: We'll win. That's a promise.

Chloe: You're not alone in this fight now, Max. Take strength from that.

We touched our lips for a split second for a kiss good morning and a kiss of good luck.

Max: Thanks, Chloe.

Chloe: My pleasure.