Epilogue – Reformation

“It’s been a year.”
Danzin nodded as he looked at the two graves before him.
“Why so long?”
He sighed. “Elora demands a lot of my time. She says I need to be ready.”
“For what?” asked Sheenin walking up to stand next to him.
“She never says. All she says is because I gave up godhood I have to train harder than ever.” He looked at the golden weapon in his hands. “I had hoped to give this to father once it was all over. To let him know his last gift made this world a better place.” He placed it on his back, the shaft slotting into the two loops on his black leather armour so it fitted securely under his cloak.
His sister smiled and gently rubbed his shoulder as he kneeled down in front of the two markers side by side. “He knows and I’m sure they’re proud of you… I know I am.”
The young man nodded and smiled, raising one hand to place it on top of his sister’s. “Thank you for taking care of them whilst I’ve been gone.” He sighed.
“Of course. Although now that they’re the parents of a national hero I don’t need to do much,” she said gesturing at all the flowers, cards and other offerings around.
“Father would hate this.”
She laughed softly. “Yes he would but he’ll have to get used to it with a hero for a son.”
“I wish you would stop saying that.” He closed his eyes. “It is only because of Elora that I am anything. She made me and Kiska Tainted. She had father create this weapon on my back and she is the one keeping the Republic together by sheer force of personality.”
Shaking her head, she kneeled down next to him and hugged him tightly. “She wasn’t the one who struck the blows, who thought for the girl he loved or killed a god. She might have given you the tools but you were the one who used them.” Leaning in, she gently kissed the top of his head. “I know you feel guilty for the things you were forced to do to save this people from Arimainos but… Your cause was just and none of us hold it against you. We love you.”
Danzin smiled, his eyes closing to stop himself from crying. “I missed you.”
“Of course you did,” she said shoving him over before getting to her feet again whilst giggling. “Sorry mother.”
Jumping to his feet, he rolled his eyes and turned back to his parents graves. “Father… Mother… I’m finally home. I’m sorry to take so long to visit you after returning to Pri a whole year ago but between helping set up this new republic, Elora’s constant warnings that the world isn’t safe yet and Kiska… We’re engaged to be married now.” He could feel Sheenin’s hand on his shoulder squeezing softly at that point. “You would have liked her. She makes Sheenin look restrained when it comes to the things she loves.”
“Hey!”
He chuckled. “And she is the most amazing person you could ever meet.” A happy sigh escaped his lips. “Elora the sister of Arimainos has been elected the head of our new republic and she put me in charge of the armies charged with protecting this land. I didn’t want to. You know how I hate fighting but she says because I gave up godhood then I have to do this and she hasn’t been wrong yet.” He closed his eyes. “I just wish that I could take back all the things I did to get to this point… all the killing of people who didn’t know better. I know it was necessary and even Kiska, who has never killed a single person in his life except for one evil Tainted when she was a child, says that I shouldn’t beat myself up about it but… I can’t help it.”
“He hasn’t changed that much has he Mother?”
Danzin smiled in amusement. “Sheenin has taken over the forge in the former Temple and the family forge is now being taken care of by some good friends of ours, Jozekiel and Jayla. They have turned it into quite a successful store that sells off Sheenin’s goods.”
“They know this part.”
“So anyway… I wish you could be at my wedding in a few months time when Kiska turns eighteen but I know you’ll be there in spirit now that your soul is free of Arimainos.” Opening his eyes, he looked up at Sheenin. “I hope you can be proud of your children. We’ve made mistakes and I know I hurt you badly but… I love you and I’m sorry for not being here when you and my sister needed me.” Standing up, he gently placed some flowers he had brought with him on both of the graves. “Until we meet again.”
Sheenin put her arm around her brother and hugged him to her side, their dark hair threading together briefly before her brother pulled away. “I’ll make sure it won’t be long.”
The siblings turned away and began walking to the entrance to the graveyard where Kiska was waiting.
“You know what you need Sheenin?” he said with a smirk as the exit came into view.”
“What?” asked his sister lost as to where he was going with this.
“Well you’re insanely rich, have a great home and the undying gratitude of Elora since you were the one that gave me those fireworks.”
“Yes…” she said cautiously.
“Well then you only need one more thing.”
“What?”
“A man,” he said laughing as she punched him.
“Shut up!”