Epilogue
Rayna appeared in a large office chamber were a man not to dissimilar in appearance was sitting on a throne like chair. His eyes were hard. His features were worn. On a desk off to the side held a seal. The seal of King. In that instance, she knew who he was. It was king. The leader of the Zoo. The Man who Gerwulf claimed had wanted her dead, but the way King was looking at her was not of a man wanting death, but a man who had lost a child and was being reunited with them for the first time. He also looked to be on deaths door. He pulled a bloodied handkerchief to his mouth and violently coughed into it. Fresh blood stains making it their new home. A healer came rushing out to heal him, but he waved the healer off. “You will die.” The healer complained. King, having heard enough, relented and let the healer work. “I am going to die with or without you.” This sent Rayna reeling with surprise. He had always been an icon of power and strength. “Come her girl. Let me look into the eyes of my successor.” King commanded. This snapped Rayna out of her stunned silence, but she did as he commanded. No one denied King. No one.
As she drew near, King waved a heavily ringed hand and a second lavish chair appeared across from himself, then motioned for her to sit. Rayna couldn't help but notice that when his hardened glare eyes upon her, they would soften and fill with pride. “What is the meaning of this?” Rayna asked, then motioned at the informal setting. “All of this. I thought you wanted me dead.” King looked slightly disappointed at Rayna. “And you believed him? HAHAHA” Cough King laughed a pain filled laugh. “No. I do not want you dead. I want a successor. Now. Will you do this old man a favor and spend a little time with him before he dies.” Rayna nodded confused. “What did he mean old?” She thought to herself. “He looks too young to be old.” A painful memory pushed its way out from the deepest recesses of her memory. It was when her dad left on that fateful trip. Had he not gone, he would be his age. “I must confess something to you Rayna. Something You may find upsetting, but I knew your father, and he wanted me to give you this.” He handed her the folded parchment that had her name written on the front. “But I ask that you wait until I have passed. Reading it know would only bring back painful memories.” Rayna hesitantly and still reeling with confusion, took the folded parchment. Upon grasping it, she felt something folded in with it. Now her curiosity was peeked. Just who was this man? He was King leader of the Zoo yes, but underneath all that, who was he really, and how did he know her dad? She had to know. “Just how do you know my dad?” Rayna asked fidgeting with the folded parchment. “Well, it all started the day when we met in the city of Journos.
Head monk Voe strode into the temple as if he owned the place. What he saw gave even him pause. He saw a glowing Azure cat with glowing purple stripes. Beast kin who he had known as one of the ancient ones carrying the beast ever so reverently to an altar. If not for the ancient one carrying the beast, he would have ripped the relic free from the creature. It oozed power off the beast. If that wasn't confirmation enough, a mere glance with his magical perception nearly blinded him. It was like looking at the sun. As if sensing the head monk's thoughts, Timdel turned and glared at the monk with eyes glowing with challenge. “This creature is nature touched. Lay a finger on it and I will purge you from this world.” This was not a threat to be taken lightly. The two have ward in the past, and to his memory, ended with their respective orders raised to rubble and ash. “You dare speak to Head Monk Voe like that? Show your resp...” His pupil did not get a chance to finish his zealot born thoughts, because Timdel turned his gaze upon Voe's pupil. Vines sprouted from the ground and enveloped the rash youth. “I do hope you forgive the ignorance of my followers.” The head monk said. “They only know of our troubled history, but not of you.” “Then have them wait outside this temple so as to not further defile the place where my people and Craylon entered a pact, or as you would put it, a holy covenant.” Timdel said as he placed Danny on the alter. “Master Timdel. While I cannot say I am happy to see you again after you had my holly relic stolen from my temple, I am here for a peaceful resolution.” “The resolution you seek is war with the planet itself.” Master Timdel turned and faced Monk Voe shaking his head. “Look for yourself. She who you wrongly worship is with us, and with this creature.” As if the world agreed with the ancient master, Danny began to glow with a green light. The Monks eyes widened in furry at the statement, and surprise at seeing the Lady of the Forest 's blessing wreath the very creature he was about to rip apart. The monk in his furry lashed out at the creature laying on the alter.
Ross watched in amazement at the hologram playing throughout the room. He had insisted on staying with Danny, but the beast kin insisted in return that he continue to the last chamber with his learner as her beast. It did make sense. According to his explanation, every tamer faced this journey with their beast, and since, he had started this journey with her, it was only right to finish it by her side to symbolize the journey of her adopted people. It didn't make any sense until now. In the hologram, Ross saw what strongly resembled younger Master Timdel standing on a war-torn landscape. It was pocked with craters with whole cities burned to ash with a people that looked similar to humans except for the nose and an extra set of eyes. The hologram panned out to show the entire globe going through what looked to be a nuclear winter. Then, The Master's voice filled the room. “Garnen was once a beautiful world. A world destroyed by two peoples. The Stonefisk and the Elves. I watched as our two peoples raised this gift, and turned it into the desolate apocalyptic wasteland you see before you.” The hologram showed suffering only a war of that magnitude could bring, and suddenly, the trials riddle made sense. The voice spoke again. “It was then, when our flames were going to be extinguished forever that a mysterious glowing women appeared and offered our people salvation from our created hellscape. The Stonefisk and the Elves came together in unity and celebration for the first time in 500 cycles. 2 representatives were chosen and bound to Craylon. Myself and King Aldrich of Garnin. They were brought to this very spot where a pack was made. We the Stonefisk asked to become more beast like and gifted with the power of nature while the Elves shed their old skin to symbolize their rebirth, and the shedding of all hatred between the two peoples. Live with nature, and forsake endless war. Avoid the tragedies of the past, and carry our covenant to the next generation, and except the planets blessing.” It was then that a light fell upon the two.
Danny was in his inner self. He wasn't alone. With him was Craylon who seemed to radiate joy at seeing him. “Danny. You have come so far. I offered you a choice, and you chose life.” he was confused. “What do you mean?” He asked. You were given a choice of life or death, and your choice has made you beautiful.” Memories of his trial came flooding back, where he was forced to relive the pain of his wife's death. He became angry. He felt his rage build, and like a volcano he blew. “My wife is dead. What gives you the right to make me re-live such a horrible thing. Do you even understand what it is like to be alone with your loved one RIPPED FROM YOUR LIFE?” He screamed that last part. Craylon folded her arms and tried to keep a straight face. Only, Danny could see her breaking. “I do know what it is like,” she said voice cracking. “My child was taken from me by a human who craved power. My power.” She turned her back to him to hide her emerging emotions. “I have been in pain for as long as your species has existed.” Danny felt awful. He had been so engulfed in his emotions that he fell into one of the most grief-stricken social traps to plague any sentient society. Willing his image to change to his former self, he cautiously approached the upset being, but he felt this was necessary for what he was about to do next. This was a newly acquired trick thanks to his greater control of his inner self. No doubt due to his evolution. Capitalizing on this ability, he walked up and gave the powerful being a hug and said, “I'M sorry.” It was just, at that moment, she seemed so vulnerable. So human, and very sad.
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She broke from their embrace and stepped away. “You are right.” She said, happiness beginning to return. “It wasn't my right, but back then you were so ready to throw your life away. I needed to test you,” She grabbed his hand, and placed a silver spirit stone in it and said, “because when you escaped Morten Grey, you brought my child back with you and back to me. Back to Craylon.” She Smiled. Danny thought back to when he had so carelessly tried to end it all. Moreover, their escape from the crazed Wizard. The memory of it was fuzzy, but mostly intact. It was then that he knew. The stone that had called to him. The stone that teleported them. It was alive. Craylon saw understanding dawn his face. “Yes Danny. I know I do not have a right to ask anything of you.” Guilt, at what he had said catapulted his next words forward. After all, he owed her. If what she said was true, then their escape was her doing. So, he would listen. After giving his assent, she asked. “My child cannot grow here. Will you take him to your world, and plant him deep within your planet earth?”
Rayna watched as King Passed. She wept. Despite him being a stranger in his own right, she still could not help but feel a connection with him. Yet, there was significance behind their meeting. Understanding of that significance would be impossible without opening the sealed parchment, but that would have to wait, because there was much to be done, and with all these raw emotions, Rayna found it difficult to open the parchment left to her by King. She had been named his successor. Told by her owner that he knew her dad, and regaled stories about him that brought back fond memories. “I guess it can wait till after the transition tomorrow.”
News of kings passing and news of her successions spread throughout the nation like wildfire. Some of the smaller nobles, and a couple of the associations payed their respects. Looking to curry favor, no doubt. While others were looking to test her resolve and see if she was weak. They found out the hard way just how much of the opposite was true, but regardless she was ready for the day to be over. “Would you like me to ready your quarters Ms. Rayna?” Came a squeaky voice. Rue flew out of her armor and nipped the human teen affectionately in greeting. He was about 16 years of age, and went by the name Har. Har had been sold to king for 20 Denar. She took pity on him, and decided to make him her second. After all, it was hard to find someone of commoner status that could read and write, and he was good at it. “Sure, and when that is done, see to it that our usual's receive their bribes, and the poachers their orders.” He nodded and left. Warn out, and mentally drained, she retired for the evening, and when she was finally settled, broke the seal. An amulet fell onto the desk. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen. Almost hypnotic, and radiated power. After admiring the opulent thing, she moved it off to the side, and began reading.
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Rayna,
My light of the sun. If you are reading this after my passing, then you have given this old man his dying wish in seeing his daughter one final time without judgment or hate. I just hope that one day you find it in your heart to forgive this old Elf for what he has put you through. I am sorry, and hope you do not think harshly of me. For what I reveal next may cause you to hate me irrevocably so. It was I that bought you from your mother that day. I had planned to have you trained in my profession and brought to me. I could have compelled you to come, but that would have hurt to much. You joining was enough. Why a slave you may be asking. It was so my enemies would not find you. You may be wondering, why the death game, and not just an inheritance. That was to test your resolve, and now I wish to test your commitment. For, the prize is not just my empire, but a hardship. There is one more question you may be asking. Why did you abandon me? The simple answer is death, but I was gifted my life to save another, which in turn allowed me to save you from a bitter women. This is were you inherit a hardship, because now you must continue my legacy. My incomplete burden. You have become a women after my own heart. I love you more then you could ever know. Now do this old elf another favor, and break that amulet.
Love, Aldrich, king of Garnen
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Rayna's anger flared. She had been deceived her whole life. Her dad did not die. He had been alive this whole time. Without realizing it, she had gripped the the Amulet with a flood of emotions. Anger at the deception. Sadness at his passing, and joy at having been able to spend a whole day with him, but lastly, cheated at not being able to spend more time with him so she could say all the things she wished she could. Tears began flowing down her cheeks. It was during Rayna's distracted thoughts that she felt the amulet crack under her strength. Without warning, there was a flash of light, with the sudden appearance of a glowing Divine beast, and a gorgeous man that radiated with the light of vengeance all frozen in time, and a beautiful woman in a green dress with flowers interlocked in her golden hair. Craylon herself had appeared, but unlike the other figures, she was not frozen.
Ross, and Grisre entered the room to find Master Timdel and Head monk Voe locked in ferocious combat. Danny had awakened, and was dodging and weaving between the monks strikes and returning each attempt with a mana charged strike of his own. He jumped back to let Master Timdel gain the monks attention, noticing Ross for the first time. Then Danny formed a ball of water in front of himself. The ball undulating and took a pointed form, then froze into solid ice. It flew at the monk who was to distracted by the Master to notice, which was a mistake he payed dearly for. The ice blew through his gut. Looking down in shock, he glared at the group before him. “You have won today, but I will return.” Monk Voe said staggering out of the temple to the aid of his pupils who teleported themselves and their teacher away. For, whatever could do that to Monk Voe must be too strong for them.
It had been a day since the events that transpired in the temple. Ross had finally evolved, and Danny spent time with his friend finally free of the imperfect bonding. Grisre and her master chose to stay at the palace to restart their order, and nurture a whole new generation of beast tamers. “I am quite jealous you know. Why do you get to be human while I'M still a mangy cat?” Danny Complained. “I don't know. I think you you look pretty. We put some bows in you fur and dress you up, and teach you to speak the human tongue, and you'd make a convincing young lady.” Ross said throwing up his hands as Danny took a swipe at him. “Ok. Ok. I'M sorry. I am just so happy to have you back.” Ross said earnestly and with emotion. “Me to.” Danny tried to give Ross a patented bro hug but momentarily forgot about the awkwardness of being a cat and fell at an awkward angle. Ross stifled a laugh. In an attempt to divert Danny's embarrassment, he asked. “So, what's next? I mean. Where trapped on an alien world with crazy powers and no way home.” Danny just stared at Ross for a moment before answering, but before he could they were engulfed in a flash of light.
Morten had finally fixed the crude vessel that brought those troublesome insects to his asteroid. The very bugs that stole his power. He smiled as he gazed upon his achievement. It glowed with runic inscriptions along the hull, and in the hallways. The entire ship looking brand new. “I must hand it to Makee ingenuity.” He said wiping his hands against a cloth he found. He could have used magic to clean away the grim, but decided to use what was left of the soul well to make more soul wells. He had observed these humans over the millennia, and knew they were a dying species that found stability, but what were a few ants in the face of his ambition. “Dan. Ross. I am coming for you.” His face split with an evil smile.
