Hope in the Highlands

Epilogue

The moment Kaji's feet touched the soft grass and her nose smelled the sweet, sweet aroma of the fresh air, Kaji's heart soared and she knew...

They were home.

She opened her eyes, ensuring Ashric was safe. He lay at her feet, but his body instantly relaxed as the Highland Mist drew up from below the hillsides. The sun rose in the sky along the horizon, painting the sky in many colors Kaji hadn't seen in such a long time.

Fog gently rolled over Ashric's body and the bleeding to his leg stopped. The glistening cloud curled around him, mending the bone and sewing up the slash wound. Kaji watched in shock and awe, unable to form any words.

The mist continued trailing along around them as it finished its work. Holy Father, Kaji prayed, Thank you for healing him...

Ashric opened his eyes and sat up with a gasp. Though his leg had been mended, it wasn't fully healed. Kaji knelt beside him and clutched his arms as he grasped tightly onto hers. "K - Kaji... Kaji..."

"I'm here, I'm here, I'm right here," she murmured.

Ashric breathed heavily as they stared out at the lush hills rolling toward the horizon. The sun's rays finally kissed Kaji's skin and she closed her eyes and relished in it. A light breeze blew her hair behind her, making the grass beneath their feet sway with a light tinkling sound.

"The Highlands," Ashric whispered.

Tears fell from Kaji's eyes as she opened them and once again gazed upon their homeland. For the first time since they had been imprisoned, Kaji felt assurance in their future, in what the Holy Father had a store.

She felt hope.

Hope in the Holy Father and what he had done for them. Hope in their release, in their love, in their future. The Holy Father had restored their Hope in the Highlands that they called home.