by Andur
I chuckle, seems like my little story got me far ahead in terms of popularity. “You shouldn't hate them for it. The world isn't just black and white. While it's true that there was much bloodshed, you also have to see that everyone just tried to achieve the best for their people. And they are people with almost endless lifespans. Who says that someone can't change in twenty or thirty years. They are powerful people and as much bad as they might have done, they are currently on a path to do as many good things.”
And the main reason is that Stella would probably get grumpy if I threw them into the dragon's cage. I don't want to be cut down on our happy time together.
I sigh. “I highly doubt that I am the same person as the me who died on that frozen world so long ago. But I am happy here. Now this world is my new home and Stella and everyone else is my family.”
“Even Aunty Valeria?” Fafne asks doubtfully. “She's strange. Father said that she's destroying the reputation of the Zait.”
My expression cringes. “Even Aunty Valeria.”
My sister totally got into painting and even created a new magical system from it. She's calling it reality manipulation and it's a hype all over the planet. After marrying and taking over the clan from Valda she went on a journey to show off her skills.
The new magical system uses mana infused paint to create an almost real picture of her model. The picture even ages with the one who was pictured. They look so real that people are willing to pay unbelievable sums of money for them.
Though as it goes with all great artists... she turned out to be a really unique person. “Don't worry. Valeria's case is the same as with Serenzar and Jeremiah. Once she gets old enough she will overcome that stage in her life. And I highly doubt that the Zait ever had so much money.”
“What about the second continent?” Fafne asks.
“Well, after the war it fell apart. Multiple small countries and city states formed. Some were democracies, some were ruled by dictators. Nict, Dwem and Quinn made the mistake of trying to keep it from coming apart. We struck down some dictators and warlords, but everything we achieved by doing so was making it worse.”
I shake my head. “Changes like that have to come from within the country, from the people. It doesn't work if you don't know the various groups and their desires. Waltzing in and destroying the structures of power without something to replace them is a hopeless undertaking.
Most of those people neither knew how to control a country, nor did they have the desire to do so. It wasn't within our capabilities to lead them towards a better future. They have find their way on their own and the best thing we can do is to keep our fingers out of their business.”
“Then how did it happen that the nomads and northerners joined the alliance?” Fafne looks up to me with curiosity.
“Well, that's because we constantly demonstrated our desire for peace.” I smile. Probably I shouldn't mention that we bribed their leaders with hefty sums and rosy promises for the future. Those are national secrets after all. “And you have to see that they didn't join us right after the war. It took them ten years to overcome their grudges. Even now they aren't full members.” And even if the enemy leader eats out of your hand, it doesn't mean that he can overturn his people's opinion of you from one day to the next.
Fafne nods with a tired expression, simply accepting my words. “I guess that's true.”
I clap my hands together and put Karn down. “I have a great idea. Why don't we go and steal some chocolate from Stella. I think she hid a secret reserve in the pot above the kitchen's stove. If you share the loot with me I might come up with some other stories.”
“Yess!” Fafne gets up and runs out of the room, followed by Karn.
I take the remote controls for the memory mirror to deactivate it, but not before call up a very special scene. “Oh, yes! Stella, you became such a-”
“AZIR!” Stella's voice bursts out from behind me and I deactivate the mirror. Damn it! She is too good at sneaking.
“What? I didn't do it! Not a thing!” Turning around I find her, red faced, glaring at me.
She gestures with her left hand that I'll get one head shorter. “If this ever gets public! You know what will happen?”
“Of course dear! This will never ever get public. I'll delete the mana net before that happens!” I place a hand on my chest and raise the other. “I take an oath on it!”
She nods and turns to leave the room. “Then it's good!”
“Whew!” I follow her with my eyes glued to her swaying tail. Maybe I should put additional encryptions on my secret files?
“So it's the end? The world is finally ending? I'll be free?” The dragon inside his barrier asks, looking down on the old man who is supporting himself with a staff.
The old man nods. “I am afraid so. We are the last ones. I just stayed behind to ensure that it's your end too.” He takes a hearty bite from a bar of chocolate. “At least I can say that I made the most out of this life.”
He freezes for a moment. “And maybe I'll meet all of my friends and my family again in another life? That's a pleasing thought.”
The dragon closes its eyes. “That's fine with me. After being locked away for so long, I think that death can be called a form of freedom.”
The old man's expression distorts into an evil grin. “Oh, I don't think so. At least not for you...”
-The End of Time
Credits
Author Andur
Publication platfom RoyalRoadDl.com
Book designer Armaell