Keeper of the Lost Cities: Elysian

Epilogue

"The island is almost unrecognizable," Mr. Forkle remarked, as he and Sophie sat in the cool shade of a tall oak to evade the heat of the summer sun.

Merida and Elysian had certainly been busy. Just from what Sophie had seen, the main house had taken on significant remodeling and expansion, and the small garden had transformed into a flourishing grove.

Sophie wasn't quite paying attention when he added, "Just like you."

It had only been a month since all the drama and chaos... and of course, her speech. The publicity it had received was incredible, but Sophie knew it was only enough to create the sparks that would ultimately result in a blaze.

Sophie absently dragged her eyes away from Keefe, who was laughing and splashing along with everyone else in the Flourishing River. The sight inexplicably tugged on her heartstrings. "Really, me? How so?"

She knew the answers to that question better than anyone else. But she was curious to hear his response.

"You've grown stronger," Mr. Forkle replied frankly. "You're a team player- but also a leader. You're willing and determined to fight for change. And you know that."

She did know that, but it felt like he was trying to convince her about that. She currently didn't feel very strong or confident.

"I do," Sophie answered, with a slight edge in her voice. "Are you going to try interrogating me- or digging information about my friends' minds again, or have I proven you can trust me?"

Because she had never told him the full story of what had happened, he'd resorted to a combination of telepathy and bribery.

It was hardly moral... or legal.

But she could understand.

Although Sophie was sure she could get him into serious trouble if she tried, she knew his attempts had all been failures. She had spent countless hours with Merida and Elysian designing unbreachable mental barriers to prevent this exact scenario.

Mr. Forkle laughed, but there was something bitter about it. "I trust you... and I promise to not meddle with your secrets in the future. It's simply a new experience being left in the dark. All the time."

"How the tables have turned," Sophie responded dryly. She tried not to allow the smugness to seep into her expression, but she knew she was failing abysmally. "Feels pretty good, doesn't it?"

"The moonlark is flying," Mr. Forkle said softly, unaffected by her sarcasm. "Her wings are bold as they catch the air. And while her parents may hold sadness in their hearts, their pride is eternal."

The analogy stunned Sophie into shock for a few moments. She hadn't expected the sheer power and beauty in his response.

She secretly felt guilty now, but she didn't show it as she gave him a genuine smile. "While I may not show it a lot... thank you... for everything you've done to make me the person I am today."

He smiled, then held up a crystal to the light and leaped away.

"Come join us, Sophie!" Marella shouted from the shore, waving her arms. "Splash fight- only telekinesis- and we're winning!"

Fitz suddenly appeared out of nowhere, summoning a giant wave that thoroughly drenched Marella, Maruca, and Rayni. "Not so fast!"

He grinned at Sophie, then cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted, "Come on, Sophie! Bet you can't do better than that!"

"Oh, indeed she can," Elysian said with a smirk, before pummeling him and his entire team with a wave twice the size of his. Then she pointed at a large pile of swimsuits- human swimsuits?- sitting on the soft, golden sand by the bank. "If you want to change, the house is available."