Storyverse

Epilogue: The Hill, part 2

One of the Suns sent its rays through the window, which woke up Shubby and Gerda lying on the same bed. They did not need sleep, however, sleep was undoubtedly good for restoring strength after a difficult battle. Immediately after this, they heard a noise on the 1st floor, where the main office was. Rubbing her eyes, Gerda got up and went to check what was happening there without changing her pajamas. Shubby remained lying down, as she was much more tired than the former writer.

Downstairs it turned out that Sol, using a circular saw rather than a sword, was cutting the door. That very door that allows them to go to any other universe... and he cut it with a saw. However, Gerda was not worried, she knew why Sol was doing this. The fact is that, although she has lived here for several years at this point, she has to enter sideways every time, because her halo does not fit through the door. Sol Clain, right now, widened the doorway so that Gerda would not have to do this. She smiled and returned to the bedroom. Closing the curtains, she lay down to get some sleep.

Later that day – although it is impossible to understand when it was day and when it was night in this pocket world so they have to base it on windows to other random worlds – when the three of them returned from another request of killing another threat to many worlds, Gerda suddenly said:

–Sol, I have a question, we've been living together for several years now... how do you feel about Shubby and me?

–Gerda! – Shubby shouted to her, covering her face with her hands.

–Hmm... let's just say that you are both very close to me. Without you, it would be difficult for me to continue this monotonous work. I'm glad that you, Shubby, and you, Gerda, are next to me, – Sol said, shrugging his shoulders.

–I told you so, Shubby! – said Gerda, beaming with joy. – So, Sol, when are you going to marry us?

–Um... well, we're not that close yet... – Sol began to say.

–It's not true, we've already gone on a date many times! Three of us! – Shubby interrupted him.

–If you're talking about those times when we ate at a random cafe because I forgot to buy groceries, then that doesn't count... – Sol said.

–It counts! – Shubby insisted.

–Even so, there are two of you and one of me. If I marry one of you, the second one will throw a tantrum, and I can't marry two at once, – said Sol's second argument.

–Oh, that's not a problem! Let's go! – said Gerda.

It became clear to Sol that the Black Goat of the Woods and the former writer had planned this conversation together. He decided to give up. He was just too tired to argue with the two of them. Gerda took Sol's hand and, after she touched the door and opened it, she led him outside... there was a church outside. "Are they serious?" Sol thought. He said:

–Let me clarify something. Of course, I love and respect you both very much...

–Well, it's decided then! – Gerda interrupted.

Sol clearly saw with his own eyes that the priest, who was already waiting for them, was subject to a change in reality. Gerda probably changed the wedding processes in this universe in advance... "She prepared well", Sol thought. Not that he minded. Of course, Sol would never admit that he felt anything more than just friendship for them... however, that was exactly what it was. On the benches were already sitting all those whom Sol had met during his journey... and who had survived, of course. Apart from Gehessikait, he was not interested in this. While Sol walked to the altar, he looked at his old acquaintances and remembered what their fate was.

Ludwig de Penright III, with the help that Oliver and Cirael gave him, quickly rebuilt the infrastructure of the Empire, and it became even better than before. From that moment on, Ludwig ruled wisely, without entering into conflicts with other kingdoms. His father's will was fulfilled.

Marren and Martha a year ago – a year ago by their standards – married each other, which is why Marren became the rightful heir to the nightmare world of Arena... which Marren was not very happy about. At first Marren kept saying that he wasn't worthy and that Martha deserved better... but in the end he agreed because that was what he really wanted.

Oliver and Cirael still rule Arai, and their son, Sol from that world, became a prosecutor. Until he will succeed the throne, he decided to help condemn criminals who are definitely guilty. He must have decided to take on the job after being inspired by how original universe Sol acted as an attorney.

And so, Sol finally reached the altar. Next to him, in completely non-wedding clothes, stood Gerda and Shubby. They held his hands – Shubby on the right, and Gerda on the left. The priest said:

–Do you agree, Shab-Ni***rat, to be with your husband until the end of your days?

–Agree!

–Do you agree, Gerda, to be with your husband until the end of your days?

–Agree!

–Do you agree, Sol Clain, to be with your wife... your wives until the end of your days?

Sol was silent. With his eyes closed, he was silent, but then, which came as a surprise not only to Shubby and Gerda, but to everyone present, he smiled and said:

–I agree!... I know I won't ever regret it... right?

~*~

It was about noon. The bustling streets of the capital were in full swing with hundreds of people and carts moving back and forth between the two-story buildings. No wonder, Arai – the main city of the kingdom of the same name – has always been full of humans... and non-humans too. If it wasn't enough, there was a big fair right now, in the height of summer, so the streets were very crowded. A stream of people, like a tsunami, walked into the center of the capital. More and more merchants arrived from the sea, to which more than half of the streets faced. White brick houses with red roofs surrounded people scurrying here and there.

But it didn't matter. All that mattered was Kai coming to visit the graves of Martha and Ludwig. Those Martha and Ludwig who died many times in the first Iterations. Kai appeared next to these gravestones, down on one knee. The shade of the tree protected the hill on which they were located from the scorching sunlight. Kai continued to fall into pieces... and smiled.

–I'm... glad it ended like this. Everyone is happy, everyone is free, everyone got married and lived happily ever after... my only regret is that you are not with me now to witness this. It's nothing. I'll join you two soon.

Kai looked at the sky. The sky was the same blue as always... but for him, it became so for the first time in his entire existence. Turning his gaze back to the gravestones under which no one was buried, Kai closed his eyes and laughed.

–Haha, ironic... after all these years I planned my own death... believe it or not, I actually want to keep on living.

After these words, he was completely scattered by the wind. All that remains are 2 tombstones, on which no one can read the text. But Kai was happy, just as many, many others were happy. This was exactly that ultimate happy ending.