by Kira Wilson
"Finally, I present David Harris, the man who bridged the gap between our races. He was the defender at the last line, and he was responsible for defeating the greatest of our foes. All of us owe our lives and our world to him."
The cameras turned in his direction, and David fought the urge to look away. Despite the joyous occasion, he could not stop the wave of sadness that rolled over him as he remembered the friends that were no longer with them.
"Sadly, not all of the heroes of the war survived the conflict," VERA continued after a pause. "Jessica Spencer was one of the first to fall, but she set in motion events that would ultimately lead to our victory. Let her sacrifice not be forgotten." A tear rolled down Analara's cheek as VERA continued.
"Lastly, we remember Thomas Childs. He stood against the tide of darkness that threatened to sweep over us all, and he gave his life to halt its advance and protect his friends."
In the silence of the hall, Clyde gave a salute to their fallen comrade.
"That those who perished may always be remembered, I shall erect a memorial with the names of the heroes and the fallen alike. Remember them, Phoenix, for they are your legacy."
The crowd erupted in applause, and David turned to Analara. They shared a soft smile and grasped each other tightly. Their worlds would never be the same.
Epilogue
David sat on a chair with the final box in his lap and gazed at its contents. A knock at the door startled him from his reverie. Setting the box aside, he got up and answered it.
It was Roger. "I came to see if you needed any help with the new lodgings."
David smiled and stepped aside to let him enter. "Are Mom and Analara still out?"
"They haven't stopped talking since you brought her by the house this morning. She's a fascinating young lady." Roger looked around the front room. "I should have come sooner. It doesn't look like there's much left to do."
"Well, living in a tier two apartment didn't give me much room to accumulate stuff," David replied.
"VERA was certainly generous. This place is nice. One of the perks of saving the planet, eh?" Roger motioned to the open box on the couch. "Is that all you have left?"
David nodded, then walked over and carefully removed his father's sword from the box. It had been two weeks since the conference, and still a surge of mixed emotions rolled through him.
Roger laid his hand on David's shoulder. "You have come a very long way on a hard road, David. I hope you know how proud I am of you."
It was the first time Roger had ever said something like that, and for several seconds David didn't trust himself to speak clearly. He turned and gave his stepfather a hug. "Thanks."
David set the sword down; there would be time later to find a suitable place for it. "Why don't I give Mom and Lucas a call?" he asked. "We can have everyone over here for dinner tonight. I've got plenty of space for company now."
Roger chuckled. "I'm sure your mother would like that. Lucas may be a bit preoccupied though."
David raised an eyebrow. "He's still seeing that girl he met in Eternity?"
"Apparently they hit it off quite well. For some strange reason, his social life picked up after he stopped using his…" Roger cleared his throat. "… usual avatar."
David grinned. "I guess I'm not the only one who's come a long way."
***
"Still awake?"
Clyde looked up from a work station inside his mainframe. He'd spent two weeks rebuilding and reinforcing it to serve as a suitable home for the ruler of Phoenix. He'd been so engrossed in a line of thinking that Mierva had managed to sneak up on him. He smiled wryly as one of her arms curled about his waist. "Just keeping busy."
Mierva's expression was a mixture of subtle emotions, and Clyde felt the currents shift through their connection. She knew that he still grieved, and she understood, even as she worried that he was doing too much. He was aware of it all. The numerous levels on which the two of them communicated never ceased to amaze him.
Clyde turned and wrapped an arm around Mierva's shoulders, grateful for her presence. "I was just playing with a couple of theories. I've been studying the Anrathians you captured in Phoenix, trying to figure out how Shalaron moved a digital mind into a real one. I did something similar to Analara, but I don't know if we have the tech yet to do it with a healthy mind."
Mierva leaned over to study the read-outs at the monitors. She blinked her eyes in surprise. "You think we could learn to transfer a human mind entirely into the system?"
"It's a working theory. I don't know if it would actually work, but it could be used to save someone who was terminally ill, or maybe someone who…" Clyde's voice faltered.
"Someone who had been critically injured?" Mierva finished gently.
Clyde nodded.
Mierva hugged him closer. "It is a fascinating line of research. In fact, it's given me a couple ideas of my own."
"Oh? How so?" Clyde asked innocently.
She pressed close and brushed her lips against his cheek. "The research can wait for the present. You are weary. I can feel it inside."
He groaned. "I'm not that tired."
"Try to rest, dear. There's something I must attend to which will require a great deal of concentration. It will be easier for me to focus without your constant questions pouring into my mind."
Now Clyde was really curious. He narrowed his eyes and probed through their link, but no matter how hard he pressed he couldn't move past her barriers. She grinned and gave him another kiss. "Nice try."
Clyde sighed and withdrew. "All right. You win. For now," he muttered with a grin.
***
With a gasping breath, he awoke and opened his eyes. He was standing upon a hill overlooking a forest, with a cloudless blue sky above him. He felt the familiar weight of his equipment on his body. Somehow, it seemed comforting. Unsure of what else to do, he walked down toward the trees.
He didn't understand what was happening. He tried to remember where he had been before a moment ago, but his recollections felt hazy and unformed. As he passed beneath the eaves of the forest, a sense of calm surrounded him. He noticed a beautiful woman walking toward him, and he paused. She had dark, flowing hair and wore a shimmering silver gown. Somehow she seemed apart from this place, as if she belonged in a different plane of existence.
"I am glad you were able to make it here," she said mysteriously.
He turned his head in wonder. She knew who he was, even though he didn't. "Why am I here?"
She stretched forth her hand and touched his brow gently, and a flash of memory returned to him.
He clutched his chest as a remembered pain blossomed. He had been wounded. He had… died?
The woman watched patiently, as if expecting something further to happen.
Images continued to fill his mind: people, places, battles. It was as if his life was filling itself in backwards. One face in particular drew his attention; a blond haired maiden flickered in and out of his returning past. Something tugged in his heart with every passing memory of her.
Finally, the stream slowed, and he watched as he embraced her, lowered his lips gently to hers for their first kiss. In his mind's eye he whispered her name, "Jessica."
With a flash of insight, Thomas remembered. He looked around in surprise and found himself near Jessica's cottage. VERA stood in front of the doorway, watching him patiently.
"Welcome back," she said warmly.
Thomas shook his head. "I don't understand. How am I here? I died."
VERA nodded. "You did. However, before your body died, your mind was pulled into my domain by the trap set for Shalaron. For a time, I thought that you were lost, but your friends have very inquisitive natures. Clyde discovered something that helped me bring you back."
Despite his surprise, Thomas couldn't stop himself from chuckling. "It figures that he wouldn't leave well enough alone. So my body did die, but my mind lives on here?"
"Yes, that would be an accurate description
of the situation."
"It appears then that I am your knight now, m'lady." Thomas knelt and unsheathed his sword, offering it to her. "What would you have me do?"
VERA smiled and touched him gently on the head. "I would have you be the keeper of this." She held her hand out, and a small stone sphere appeared in her palm.
Thomas stared at the object. "What is it?"
"It is Shalaron's prison."
A spark of suppressed anger lit within Thomas, but he released it before it could take hold. "Why was his life spared?"
"During his planned conquest, Shalaron gained access to the master level of the Analath program," VERA stated. "He learned much of the history of his world and gained mastery of their systems, then locked the level so that only he had access. If anything should ever happen to their world, we may need him to save it. However, he is too dangerous to be allowed to roam free. Someone steadfast and true must guard him, against past transgressions and future need."
Thomas drew a deep breath and extended his hand. With a smile, VERA delivered the orb into his care. It felt nearly weightless in his palm and gave off a hint of warmth.
"Surely he will not be expected to keep this vigil alone?" The second voice surprised Thomas, and he tried in vain to find its source.
"No. He will not be alone," VERA said, and then stepped aside to reveal the mystery speaker.
Thomas's breath caught in his throat. He knew instantly that it was Jessica… the real Jessica. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she ran forward and threw her arms around his neck. Thomas embraced her tightly, dropping the orb to the ground.
His eyes flooded with tears. He turned to look at VERA with gratitude shining from his eyes. "Thank you."
"I couldn't very well bring one of you back without the other, could I?" she said. With one last smile, she disappeared.
Thomas pulled away from Jessica's embrace and knelt before her. "Anything you wish for, my lady, you need only ask."
Jessica's smile lit up the grove. "Only you, my beloved knight."
***
David smiled and tightened his arms around Analara's waist. She laughed happily and watched the sunset from the balcony. "If I didn't know better," he remarked, "I'd say you were becoming accustomed to this view."
"I'd have to agree," she said. "I hope it isn't becoming boring for you."
"Well…" David grinned.
She turned in his grasp to punch him playfully in the arm.
"Never, my dearest," he whispered in her ear.
As the last of the sun's rays faded behind the distant shoreline, David stepped away. "I recall you giving me a gift that day."
Analara looked quizzically at him. "Yes, I did. Do you still have it?"
In answer, David reached into his pocket and pulled out the loop of colored beads. "A token of affection, you called it." He slipped it back into his pocket and pulled out a small box.
"We humans have a similar tradition for times like this." David's heart began to pound as he dropped to one knee. "Analara. I love you. I've loved you since the moment you… um, well, kept me from dying. Repeatedly." He paused and tried to gather his wits. "No matter what world we're in, nothing would make me happier than to be in it with you."
He opened the box and held it up for her to see: a silver band with a white, sparkling gemstone. Analara's eyes glistened.
"It's a promise to you, a symbol of my love." David took a deep breath. "Will you be my wife, Analara?"
With a gasp, Analara threw her arms around him.
At that moment, a cool breeze rolled across David's face.
Perfect.
About the Authors
If you would like to know more about Jonathan and Kira Wilson, please visit our website at www.risingstormtales.com.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Epilogue
About the Authors
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Epilogue
About the Authors
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Epilogue
About the Authors