by Chris Yee
Alan chuckled at the idea of Greene having principles.
“He kept Izzy alive for a reason,” she continued. “We intend to do the same.”
“But you do wish to continue the tests,” Vince said with a stern face.
“We do. The tests are the reason the City thrives. They must go on.”
Alan opened his mouth to argue, but Vince held up his hand and spoke first. “Very well. It seems we have had a misunderstanding. I think our goals align.”
The others stared at Vince with shock. He had been so adamantly against the tests, that it was strange to hear him praise them.
Trish nodded. “Hmm. It seems so.”
Vince looked into Izzy’s face as she slept in his arms. “How long do you think she’ll be out?” he asked.
“That stuff they gave her is pretty strong,” Trish said. “And they gave her a lot. It should wear off in ten minutes or so, though she will be pretty weak. It will be a few hours before she fully recovers.”
Rupert pointed to Vince’s leg. “Vince, you’re bleeding.”
He looked down to see a scalpel sticking out of his thigh. In the chaos, he had not noticed the stray blade wedge into his skin. He handed Izzy to Rupert and grabbed the handle of the blade, yanking it out in one swift motion. Blood slowly oozed out. He untied his scarf from his neck and wrapped it around the wound. “I’ll live,” he said.
As Rupert handed her back, a voice came from down the street. “Trish?” It was a man with a familiar face.
“Warren,” Trish said, walking over to greet him.
He searched up and down her body, looking for scratches or bruises. “You got out.”
She nodded. “I didn’t do it alone. I had help.”
Warren glanced at the group behind her and leaned in. “Don’t you recognize these people?” he whispered. “They’re the traitors from Snow Peak.”
“They’re on our side. They saved me. And they saved that girl’s life.”
“Who is the girl?”
“She’s very important.” She turned around and held out her hand. “Vince, pass me the journal.”
Vince handed it over, and she gave it to Warren. He flipped through the pages. “Project Monika?”
“Read through it and you’ll know why she’s so important.”
He clamped the book shut. “Later. There’s no time right now. We’re about to charge into the Spire.”
She furrowed her brow. “You’re attacking?”
He nodded. “Ever since you were taken, more and more people have gone missing. Simon has them.”
“Simon’s dead,” she said.
“What?”
She pointed to Vince. “He killed him. He’s gone. Now Jonah’s in charge.”
“Jonah? Simon’s grunt?”
“That’s right,” she said. “He turned on Simon and has been gathering labbies and test subjects.”
Alan slapped his forehead. “We’re idiots,” he said. “Jonah was on the ground. Incapacitated. We could have killed him and ended it all.”
Vince smiled.
“What are you grinning about?” Alan asked. He saw Vince’s hand press against his empty pocket and figured it out on him own. “Ha! Vince, you sneaky bastard. You slipped that pill into his tea, didn’t you? That fool’s a sucker for tea. He probably took a big sip the second he got up.”
Vince answered with an even wider grin.
“What does that mean?” Warren asked.
Vince finally broke his silence. “He will be dead by the time you get up there.”
“That will make it easier for your attack,” Trish said. “They have no leader. They’ll be lost in confusion.”
Warren nodded. “Good. We’ll need all the help we can get. Rumor has it the Crowns are charging the Spire as well. We thought that perhaps they were preparing for our attack. We wanted to make our move before they could get back, but now it’s clear they’re not after us. They want Jonah.”
“Man,” Alan said, “it’s going to be a mess up there. Jonah’s men, Simon’s men, and now you guys?”
“At least they’ll be occupied,” Rupert said, looking down at Izzy. “Jonah’s men will be too busy to come after her.”
“Leave her with me,” Trish said. “I’ll bring her back to our base. She’ll be safe there.”
Rupert shook his head. “She’ll be safest in Snow Peak, away from the City.”
Vince nodded. “Yes. She comes with us.”
“But the people need to know about her. You read the journal. It’s what Greene wanted.”
“That may be true,” Vince said, “but it’s not what’s best for her. She doesn’t belong here. She never chose this life. She deserves a level of safety that you can’t offer.”
“But—”
“Take the monitor journal,” he interrupted. “Show the people his last written words. Show them the miracle that Izzy represents. Do whatever you want with that journal, but do not tell them where we are. Doing so will only make things worse.”
“So what do I say happened to her? They are going to want to see her.”
Alan stepped forward, growing impatient with her questions. “You could tell them she’s dead for all I care. Make something up. They don’t need to know. Greene’s word will still get to the people. Hell, you can turn her into a martyr. Make her the face of your resistance. The people will eat that up.”
She pondered the idea of creating an image for the resistance. “I suppose that’s an option, but you don’t have to leave. Stay and help us fight. Your presence will inspire them even more. You’re the ones responsible for Simon and Jonah’s deaths, after all.”
“No,” Vince said. “We’re done with this place. It’s time for us to go home.”
“But you could help. You could make such a big difference. Don’t you want the world to be a better place?”
“I’ve spent my whole life making the world a better place,” he said. “Now it’s time for me to rest. We’ve all earned a little rest.”
Trish looked sternly in his eyes and saw she would not persuade him. “Very well. Good luck to all of you.”
They exchanged one last look and parted ways. Trish and Warren walked towards the Spire. Vince, Ella, Alan, and Rupert walked towards the Western Gate.
“What you said back there,” Alan said, “you didn’t really mean it, did you? You don’t want the tests to continue.”
“Of course not, but it’s no longer our business. We’re together and safe. That’s all that matters.”
“You’re not going to try to stop them anymore?”
“No.”
Alan’s face held puzzled curiosity. “But that was the reason we came here in the first place.”
“Do you think they’ll succeed?” Ella asked. People ran past them on both sides, following Warren’s lead. “Do you think they can take back the Spire?”
“They have a good chance,” Rupert said. “There may be a lot of troops up there, but with Simon and Jonah gone, they’ll be disorganized.”
“I suppose it doesn’t matter,” Ella said. “For us, anyway. Soon we’ll be back in Snow Peak, away from this whole mess.”
Alan kicked a pebble along the road. “What about you, Vince? Do you think they’ll succeed?”
Vince kept his gaze straight ahead as he spoke. “I don’t know, and I suppose I don’t care. Ella is right. It’s no longer our business.”
“If they take it back, they’ll start up the tests again,” Alan said. “You’re okay with that?”
“There’s one thing I’ve learned from our time in the City. There will always be a bad guy. Whether it’s Barnabus, or Greene, or Simon, or Jonah, it will never stop. If we eliminate one, another will rise in his spot. I once thought it was my job to stop them, but now I realize that chasing the cycle is not a job for one man. There will always be monsters in the world, but there will always be someone to fight them, as well. Someone will rise up in Jonah’s place. And someone will rise up in mine. Someone
who will stand up for those who can’t defend themselves and resist the evil that plagues this world. Just like the cycle for bad, there is a cycle for good. I’ve done my part in the world. Now it’s time to pass it off to whoever is next.”
“Tag team,” Izzy said, her eyes barely opening as she slowly regained consciousness.
Vince looked down at her face and smiled. “Yes. Tag team.”
Dozens of Spire workers ran past them, towards the Spire, as part of a movement to take back what was theirs. The new rebels in a chaotic age. The age of Greene had ended, the age of Simon was gone, and the short-lived age of Jonah would soon perish as well. In its place, a new age would rise, and just like everything else, it would eventually end. It was a cycle. An age of end.
EPILOGUE
ELLA GRABBED THE mug of hot tea and touched the rim to her lips. The liquid was still scalding hot, so she placed it back down to cool. Her aged face was still vibrant and beautiful. She tapped her finger against her knee, waiting for the last of their party to arrive.
Rupert sat across from her, stroking his thick beard, which was sprinkled with flecks of white. His shoulder stood absent of Snow Peak’s beloved falcon. Fred had passed on years ago. Rupert gazed out the window at the neighbors trudging through the snow. It had been a tough ten-year transition, but the Spire folk had finally adapted to their new home. They had built a community that was just as strong as before.
Alan entered the cabin, bundled up in a large coat and scarf. He stomped the snow from his feet and stripped off his layers, hanging his wet clothes on the hook by the door. “It sure is cold out there,” he said. “Izzy will be here soon. She said to give her five minutes.” He gazed down at Vince, who was lying peacefully in bed, covers pulled up to his chin, with his eyes closed. “How is he doing?” he asked.
“He’s still with us,” Ella said. “He’s just resting his eyes.”
Alan took a seat by the bed, taking Vince’s hand and glancing into his face. It was pale and full of wrinkles. “She’s on her way, buddy,” he said and looked to Ella. “How long has he been out?”
“Not long,” she said. “Only a few minutes.” She reached for her tea to take a bigger sip this time.
Rupert raised his own mug to find that it was empty. “I could use some more tea. Alan, do you want some? You look cold.”
Alan nodded. “Please.”
Rupert got up and exited to the kitchen.
“How’s the kid?” Alan asked.
“He’s a handful, but I love every minute of it. He’s growing up so fast. It feels like just yesterday I was rocking him in my arms. Now he’s always running about. He’s a little ball of energy.”
“Time does fly, doesn’t it?”
She nodded. “It sure does. What about you? I haven’t seen you in a while. How are things?”
“Things are good. Trevor’s a handful, but the man sure can hunt. It’s funny. He was the laziest guy in the Spire, and now he’s one of the hardest workers in Snow Peak. He’s really changed.”
“I think we’ve all changed.”
Alan looked down at Vince’s pale skin. “How do you think she’ll handle, you know, seeing him like this?”
“It will be hard on her, for sure, but she’s a tough girl. She’ll be okay.”
“Vince brought her up well. She speaks just like him. She’s a little reserved, but has a strong will. She’s grown into a woman who can handle herself. But even the strongest of us have weak moments.”
“Of course, she’ll be shaken,” Ella said, “but so will I. All of us will be shaken. He is a great man who has done great things in his life. That will never change. I will miss him dearly, but in time, we will all learn to live without him, her included.”
Rupert reentered from the kitchen with a full cup of tea in each hand. He passed one to Alan and sat back down. “Careful,” he said. “It’s hot.” He blew on the surface, watching the steam dance away.
Alan brought the tea to his lips and took a larger sip than he expected. The liquid scorched his tongue and throat. “Jeez, that’s hot!”
“You never learn,” Rupert said.
Alan lifted his mug with a nod. “And I never will.”
The front door swung open, and a tall woman walked in. Her golden hair shined with the sun as she flipped back her hood. Her skin was smooth and radiant. She took off her coat and hung it next to Alan’s. “Is he awake yet?”
“Not yet,” Rupert answered. “He’s still resting. Take a seat, Izzy.”
She walked across the room and pulled a chair next to Ella.
“Tea?” Rupert offered, holding up his mug.
“No, thank you.” She stared at Vince. At his face. His dry hair. His closed eyes. His wrinkled skin.
“Are you okay?” Ella asked.
Izzy sniffled. “Yes, I’m fine.”
Vince rolled his head to the side and slowly opened his eyes. He blinked as his dry pupils adjusted to the strong sunlight. A deep breath filled his lungs and released all at once. His cracked lips trembled with the slightest bit of movement. The four of them stood and gathered around the bed.
“Hey, Vince,” Alan said. “How are you feeling?”
Vince managed a smile at the sight of his friends. He opened his mouth, trying to speak, but his throat was too dry. He coughed and wheezed, and then spoke a single word. “Family,” he said. His voice was low and raspy.
“That’s right,” Alan said. “We’re all here. And there’s nowhere else we’d rather be.”
“Good,” he said. His voice got softer as he spoke. “I want to say something to each of you.”
They all leaned forward, waiting with patience. They did not want to interrupt what would likely be his last words.
“Rupert,” Vince whispered. “You’re a good man. You are genuine and kind. You have a warm soul. You were the first to welcome me into your community, and you’ve supported me along the way. Through every hardship, every difficult decision, you helped guide my way. I thank you for being a good leader, and a great friend.”
Rupert accepted his words with a stern nod.
“Ella.” His voice was even fainter now. “You are a strong woman. You always have been. And you have always valued family. That is something I admire. Your loved ones always come first. You put their needs ahead of your own. That kind of selflessness inspires me. It gives me hope that there are others like you out in the world. I have no doubt, your son will grow up to do great things.”
She flashed a sad smile.
“Alan. There’s so much good to say. You are the happiest man I have ever met. No matter how bad things get, you always manage to find a laugh. You lift people’s spirits when they are at their worst. Your presence spreads happiness. That is a valuable gift. Don’t ever give it up. The world needs people like you.”
A single tear ran down Alan’s cheek, and he quickly wiped it away.
“And Izzy.” Vince’s voice was so soft they could just barely hear him now. He waved her in to come closer. “You have grown up so much. You’re so mature now. So smart.”
She sniffled again, her face glazed with tears. “I got that all from you,” she said.
“And you will spread it to others.” He reached for her hand. She held it out and let him grip her fingers. “I am so proud of you. You’re like the daughter I never had.”
She gently shook her head. “No. I am your daughter.”
He grinned. “That’s right. I can no longer change the world. That is up to you now.”
“Tag team,” she whispered.
He nodded. “Tag team.” His voice trailed off and his eyes closed.
They all stood around the bed and watched an immortal man die. He was a man who had once feared death, but eventually learned to embrace his fate. Surrounded by family, Vince perished peacefully into the unknown, ready to join Saul and Charlotte, wherever they might be. His endless cycle was broken at last, and in his place, Izzy would rise.
THE END
Want
a sneak peek at the creative process behind the Age of End series? Sign up for Moon Mail and get a FREE Behind the Scenes Bundle!
Includes notes, rough drafts, and outlines from early in the creative process. Author commentary compliments each document. See how Age of End transformed from the moment of inception.
To get your bundle today, and receive news about upcoming books, visit:
http://www.tothemoonpublish.com/moon-mail
Did you leave a review?
Written reviews greatly help a book get noticed. If you enjoyed this book and would like to help me out, please leave a review and let others know about the series. Thank you for supporting me!
About The Author:
Chris Yee grew up in Needham, Massachusetts. As a young child, he had a wild imagination, thinking up stories of mystery and wonder. People would ask what he wanted to be when he grew up, and the answer was always the same. He wanted to be an author. As he grew older, educational interests pulled him away from the world of writing and into math and science. He attended Northeastern University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering. He now works in Boston, full-time as an engineer. Despite his technical background, he never lost an interest in writing. He writes every day, to fulfill a passion that has never faded.
Table of Contents
AGE OF END: VIGO'S LAMENT
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-TWO
TWENTY-THREE
TWENTY-FOUR
TWENTY-FIVE
TWENTY-SIX
TWENTY-SEVEN