CHAPTER 184: APART TO BE TOGETHER: PART 1 - VICTORY

The dust had settled, and it was finished. The remnants of the mighty battle finally had ceased, ripping out the saddened traces out from the city. Asahi and Aletha dropped their shoulders down, feeling the weight of the world press on them.

They saw the glowing cracks return back to normal, the sky faded back to a brilliant blue, and the sun, having been azure, turned golden in mere seconds.

The stars returned to their normal luminance and the sounds of cheers echoed across the spectacle. What then met their gazes was a tumbling presentation of rapid movements from Aedline. She was trying to seize control, almost struggling to keep in flight.

But as the time ticked and the oxygen flew heavenward, the dragon descended into the water, crashing into the tame waves of Linuxinia City’s harbor.

Everyone celebrated and cheered as the giant dragon that overshadowed half the world was destroyed. Unfortunately Phthonus vanished into the Prism, leaving Alai, Ubel, Kendra, Kali and many more behind. The people rejoiced in their victory as some people came jumping into the water, dragging Asahi and Aletha back to the port.

. . .

"Asahi, Aletha, you’re okay!" Kendra said as she finally let go of the wall of water.

Dragging from the shoreline, Asahi and Aletha both coughed water out from their mouths. The weight of the battle has finally been lifted. Struck with silence, Asahi and Aletha arose from the sand and were escorted to the docks. The trees shimmered a bright emerald, the baby blue ocean tolling its waves, and the fresh scent of the wind pushed their hair back.

"What," Aletha said as she scratched her head. "What happened?"

"You saved the world," Said Kali dismissively as the people rushed toward the heroes.

At a glance, everyone in the city gathered around the wanderers. Kendra, Brunella, Canyon, Alai, just some of the few surrounding the two.

It indeed was true; the prophecies came to fruition.

The Dragon, Aedline, settled herself and rested far on the docks of Linuxinia City.

With questions swimming in their minds, Asahi and Aletha took the time to fester up their thoughts.

The glowing cracks only appeared when the stars seemed connected. This wasn’t just the first time they saw this occurrence, it happened before. When all the nations had crumbled, when the world was engulfed in a veil of light; that symbolized and acknowledged the world’s destruction; The second Incarnation of the world.

But after killing the heart of Alaunus, freeing her from the grasp of its giant form, the cracks stopped glowing, the stars stopped glowing the same radiance, revealing peace among this spectacle.

Kendra immediately hurried to hug Asahi, embracing his form and whispering.

"You’re alright!"

"Of course I am alright," Asahi said as he turned over to Aletha. "Both of us are okay. No need to worry."

Suddenly, they felt a weakened pressure weigh down on them. A weakening that seemed to erode their very soul. Indeed, the fight was taxing to them; testing their every bone. From the sabotage from The Promise, and the spiders from The Ending, all of these factions were centering onto one goal,

...To stop the wanderers.

But now, their only hope of destroying the world, had finally come to cease. So they disappeared as quickly as they came, showing no trace left on their footsteps.

After the betrayal of Cosima, all was shaped well for Phthonus and the others. With her portals, she led Phthonus to victory.

Luckily enough, not much had been taken in the City.

Only the crumbling citadel and the mountain were affected.

Suddenly, the phantom of the green-haired golden eyed man, Sergil, disappeared with a grieving smile, leaving behind a pulsating glow that seemed to diminish at an alarming rate. The green essence that surged in the heart dissipated, leaving only dead roots. It seemed that The Sealed Beatific had been affected, with The Prism nowhere to be seen.

After their magic came back, Joshilyn stepped in and patted Asahi’s back, saying...

"You have done well, Asahi," She said admittedly, "This concludes your requirements for your Adventurer’s License."

It was at that moment, Asahi and Aletha had realized they had completely forgotten about the license. They were so worked up on their troubles, that they had let slip the memory of it. But now, after seeing them scale a peak, defeat two dragons, and save the world; it was only necessary that they would receive this reward.

After receiving the license medallions, Asahi and Aletha heard Toivo inviting everyone to his carriage.

"Come now everyone," He said as he traveled his gaze to most. "All are invited to the grand feast. To celebrate our heroes, Asahi and Aletha!"

The two fell into shock hearing that term, Heroes. They had never truly deserved that name. It was only now that they realized that this title, this declaration of love and excitement, was uttered because of their heroic efforts on saving both the dragon encircling the peak, The Sealed Beatific, and Aedline.

"Heroes?" Asahi muttered. "Are we truly heroes?"

After the two had gotten up and saw the city cheering them on, they and all the other people chose to depart to Toivo’s mansion. Aletha then mumbled as the carriage came through bumps.

"I have never heard anyone call us," She said, "Heroes?"

Through the trials and tribulations of Linuxinina, from her times of getting beaten up and torn; from her practices and growth, from her transformation and love, to running on Gushy Geysers, to the massive foot race, to the encounter with The Attacker, she was almost a completely different girl.

Though the memories were faint, after having slain Alaunus, Asahi took this moment to recollect his gatherings.

From the nameless caverns, to the swirling vortex of living things, to the inscriptions of Alaunus, toward the fractured memories of their parents, to the lift exercises, to fighting zombies, to Kendra and her story, and then to the dragon and their prophecies, all of it came into being.

"Heroes," He said, "Yes... we are heroes."

After all the tribulations, it was only necessary that they celebrate their victory.

Aedline swiftly followed, prepared to get their meal. Jesica departed, Dina as well, and Phthonus was nowhere to be seen. After seeing the white luminance in the mountain glow a deep orange, Asahi and Aletha asked this.

"Where is Phthonus?"

Everyone in the carriage fell silent. Not one dared to mention his fate. As the golden sun shone vividly in the bright blue sky, Alai admitted with a remorseful tone in her voice.

"Phthonus," She said, "Is no longer with us."

A silence formed in the carriage. Only quietness festered in the cart. They had thought they saved everyone, and if not the whole world, but it turned out, the outcome was far from the case. The two shuddered in fear as the proclamation came into being. Alai, swift as ever. Noticed a book wedged in-between Asahi and Aletha.

Immediately she pried it open, and as if it was written in ghost ink, the final prophecy unveiled.

(They shall scale me and bring an end to my reign. Leaving me to rest in peace and to finally, save our world.)

At that moment, Asahi and Aletha’s eyes reeled back. It was Alaunus that the dragon was referring to. She prophesied her own death. Now, it all makes sense; it makes sense why these prophecies must come to fruition. Because it will all lead to the final outcome, to save the world from the apocalyptic scenario, the End of the World. Alai’s eyes broadened at the sudden change, never in all her years, would she expect that Alaunus prophesied her own death.

As the carriage moved forth, memories of Phthonus’ efforts flashed into their perception.

How he tore the grass surface with just his bare hands, how he came into contact with the Prism, forming a contract with it.

Asahi and Aletha looked puzzled at this sudden reveal. They had hoped there would be another way. But alas, they lost him to a contract, leading to the outcome of bringing their magic back.

Now all of it made sense, the disruption of powers, Sergil’s wish, the sheer amount of people in Linuxinia, and how this continent came into being. It was because of Alaunus and the other dragons, and the king of Linuxinia, that had built the very foundation of this nation. It was chaotic from the very start.

Now it’s here to live peacefully, with the grassy space filled with love from Sergil’s wish.

. . .

After they took a moment of silence for Phthonus, the carriage finally reached Toivo’s mansion. The two wiped off their tears of remorse, and Kali led them into the mansion. The sun shone bright on the woodland expanse, with trees moving side to side in peaceful harmony. A table was made from the maids; a huge table with a dining cloth on it. It could house up to thirty people. But anything more of that would be risky.

Asahi and Aletha followed Kali toward the front seats. Of course, they deserved such positions because of them saving the world. But someone else came into being as soon as the heart locket shined a brilliant purple luminance.

"Buttons, you did it!" A deep feminine voice said with relief. "You reached the peak! You set me free!"

Coming from the side, from the front door, a beautiful woman with silk dark hair and dark purple eyes and a mask raced over to Aletha and hugged her. "I knew you got it up to ya."

No one else called her that except Drimi, which drove her to realize;

"Drimi?!" She said as she dropped the heart locket. "You’re, here?!"

Drimi nodded her head and snapped her fingers.

"Of course," She said with exasperated breaths. "After being trapped in that locket, I thought I lost all hope. But then, you, the hero you are, came and saved me from the clutches of The Perfect Darkness! Also don’t drop that locket. It’s very important."

After nodding her head, she took a seat next to Aletha with Asahi on the right adjacent side. Every chair was parallel to the side; with each and everyone of them sitting down. At an instant, people came back and forth, exchanging conversations over and out.

"Have you heard about the heroes?" One murmured. "Some say they were members of The Adtraic family."

"Adtraic family," Another said, "Like, the original owners of this world?"

"I heard his father is out somewhere."

"All the nations better prepare for them."

As people came over and traded discussions with each other, Toivo raised his glass and tapped it with Joshilyn’s spoon.

"HEY!" She screamed. "That’s my spoon!"

Toivo gave a light chuckle of joy and slammed the glass down, hitting it with a spoon. Everyone and every face looked at him, raising upward and saying,

"My friends and brothers and sisters, we have made big accomplishments today," He uttered as the winds from outside pulled back. "Our heroes, Asahi and Aletha, have saved this world against Alaunus. And saved the peak from destruction."

Everyone applauded and gave their shouts of approval.

"Go Asahi."

"Go Aletha!"

"Wait, isn’t that that girl from the foot race?" Another exclaimed as they shuffled situations back and forth.

It was nigh on impossible to recognize every familiar face, but they have tried.

Kendra sat next to Asahi, while Kali was on the other end. Isa, although being absent most of the time, shook off her weakened face and returned back to normal, sitting next to Kali.

Everyone was ready for the feast, clapping their hands. Canyon sat next to Aletha and besides her was Drimi, the one that escaped from that locket. After having all sat down, Toivo gave a fair speech to the table, and uttered.

"Before we take our moments to sit down and feast today, I would like to give thanks to my friend, Asahi." Everyone looked at him as he rubbed his head back and forth. "This young man knows how to build himself up from the ground up. He has determined wit and skill, unlike anything have ever been."

Alai, who had admired Aletha, intervened and said.

"Don’t forget my girl, Aletha," She said, brushing her pony tail. "Without HER and OUR help, she wouldn’t make it far in the dragon."

Aletha, embarrassed, blushed a pink hue on her face.

"It’s because of Alai’s brutal training, that made me the strong young woman I am today," She said as she pushed her pony tail back. "It was because of everyone that all of their power empowered both of us to keep forth."

Everyone in the table cheered and roared their approval

"Indeed, they have both grown," Kali said as she pointed her cat ears upward. "Although in different methods, I can see that The Sealed Beatific runs through both of them rapidly. But, there’s also another that we must thank..."

After all fell silent, they took this moment and stared at the picture of Phthonus.

"We must thank Phthonus for sacrificing his life to The Prism so that Asahi and Aletha could take flight."

Fallen into shock, everyone in the table fell into a stern quietness before cheering and clapping him on.

"We will fight on in your memory," said one. "We shall persist like you did.

"We shall never forget!" All shouted in unison.

"Let’s build a memorial!"

As everyone clapped their hands at the performance and sacrifice of Phthonus, Kali stepped in and said.

"We must also thank Sergil, The King of Linuxinina, for lending his power so that all of us could thrive."

Although many know not of Sergil, they all clapped anyway while Aletha roared and cheered.

"Thanks Sergil!" She said as she looked at the heavens. "You were the greatest of kings."

Afterward, the feast started to commence.

Toivo immediately acknowledged the royal chefs, whose reputations were built on crafting banquets of exquisite delicacy and unparalleled artistry, now turned their considerable talents to a feast of a different kind.

This was no banquet for the elite; it was a celebration for every soul that took part in the battle. Their faces, usually pristine and composed, were now streaked with soot and sweat, testament to the fires they tended, and the meats they expertly turned.

This meal spread across the table that stretched as far as the eye could see. It was a symbol, a tangible expression of gratitude, a deep and abiding appreciation for every individual who had played a part in the battle, no matter how small.

The simple act of Toivo sharing food, prepared with such care and dedication, wove a stronger bond between the people of the table, a silent acknowledgment that each person’s effort, from the highest knight to the lowest stable hand, had been indispensable.

As Asahi and Aletha looked at the table, a voice from Asahi’s mind began to quiver.

("Asahi,")

Just as he were about to take a bite of the savory chicken and bread,

("Asahi!") The voice yelled louder as Asahi and Aletha and all the others savored the feast.

"What?" Asahi asked as the voice grew louder.

(You need to come outside, this instant.")

Struck with a sudden sense of urgency, Asahi heard Telos itching at the back of his mind. The joy that once had come from the feast suddenly diminished into a curious sneer. Asahi pushed himself out from the table and went toward the porch, the starlight gleaming and shimmering in the expanse of dark blue moonlight.

"What is it that you want?" Asahi asked, "Can’t you see I’m busy?"

(There is a disturbance coming from northern Linuxinia.) Telos replied as Asahi turned over to the delicious food on the table. (A disturbance so titanic, it may end the world again.)

At first, Asahi thought the disturbance of Linuxinia had come to a cease now after having slain Alaunus. But matter in fact, after the celebration and being quiet for who knows how long, Telos all of a sudden dispersed information, it led Asahi to wonder.

"Haven’t we fought the disturbance already?"

("No, it’s something far more dangerous. And something I tried to hide for so long, ever since you fought that beast.") As Telos tried desperately to grab Asahi’s attention, he raised his voice and said. ("Hmm, Or... should I say it in a different way?")

Just before Asahi stepped back to the room, with people’s gaze inviting him to eat, Teloso said abruptly.

("This disturbance, the one that is close to us, is none other,")

After Asahi just stepped foot into the door, with Aletha inviting him in, Telos ended his carelessness with this one statement.

("...than your youngest sister, Aiyana.")