The Realm Protectors

Epilogue

"So now, it is my pleasure to introduce Asavanra's newest class of graduates!" The girl's voice is slightly distorted through the vision, but it's annoying all the same. I hum in displeasure and release my hold on the crow, allowing it to fly back to its murder. They all rest in the rafters, fussing with their feathers. One of them caws at the doors, signaling someone's entrance.

"Come in, Ravena," I call, my voice echoing down the long hall. The tall doors at the end of the room open, revealing my gorgeous girlfriend in her ravishing tactical gear. Her boots clomp against the floor as she walks toward me, the crow on her shoulder flying up into the rafters.

"I still don't understand why we just sit here like stupid ducks," She complains, walking right up the steps of my dais and resting against the arm of my throne. "You made us do all that work protecting Gray these last few months, and now that he's captured we don't stage a breakout? And this ridiculous graduation ceremony! I would've thought that you'd want to have something planned for that––"

"Patience, my love," I soothe, reaching for her hand. She hands it over and I press my lips gently to the back of it. "Gray did his job. We dwindled the numbers in the Realm. It will take a little while for their armies to build up their numbers again."

Ravena raises her eyebrow in a judgmental expression. "That was your grand plan?"

"Of course not," I reply, dropping her hand. "My plan is much more complicated than that, my darling."

"Would you mind telling your lovely girlfriend what this plan is?"

I hum in thought. "I suppose I could tell you, now that it's already in motion."

Ravena waves her hand, motioning for me to continue.

"Their only strength right now is that they have unity," I explain with a sigh. "The people of this Realm fight together under the banner of the children now ruling us. Weakness will come from this seed of distrust we have now planted between them. Darkness elementals and space elementals alike will be seen as more dangerous, knowing the power Gray had at his fingertips. The more that divide grows, the more elementals will be drawn to our cause." Ravena's distasteful expression only grows at my words.

"So you put both worlds in the hands of eight children?"

"I knew they could handle it. Cira would not have given in so easily if she did not think they could shoulder the burden." I inspect my nails as I speak, knowing it will only further frustrate Ravena to not have my full attention. "They will not, however, be able to handle a civil war between the countries of this Realm. When that inevitably does happen, they will finally bend and hand the Realm over to me."

Ravena begins to grin as she begins to understand the inner workings of my plan. "The Nox will rule the Realms."

"There will be no more interaction with the filthy beings of the Otherworld," I continue, nodding. "There will be no more terror or destruction at their hands. Elementals will finally be free to roam both worlds in their true place: as kings."

I raise my arm in the air, snapping my fingers. A crow caws as it descends from the ceiling, fresh from its scouting mission. Petting its head gently, I reach for my affinity deep inside, seeing into the mind of the creature. A foggy image appears of a boy with a white shock of hair, staring open-mouthed at a girl dressed in gold, embracing a blonde girl and a boy with caramel hair. I grin, chuckling deep in my throat.

"Those poor fools have no idea what's coming for them."