Drakonis

Epilogue

21 years ago

"Vorian, are we perhaps too old to be sneaking off like this?" I teased as we ventured deeper into the forest, leaving the clan behind. The light was beginning to fade, casting long shadows across the path as we moved farther away from the familiar noise and bustle of the camp.

"No," he replied with a sly grin, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "I want privacy, and I'm tired of my mother taking you away from me." His smirk grew wider as I laughed softly, the sound echoing through the trees.

"Well, where are we going?" I asked, curiosity piqued as we continued our trek through the dense undergrowth.

"You'll see," he said, his tone full of mystery, as always. He squeezed my hand, reassuring me without giving anything away. I could tell that whatever he had planned, it meant something to him.

The forest began to change around us as we walked. The trees grew taller, their trunks thicker, and the ground beneath our feet became less forgiving, with roots and rocks jutting out to trip the unwary. I recognized the signs—this was a part of the forest that had seen fewer footsteps in recent years, a place that had been left to the wilds.

"Vorian," I said, a bit more serious now, "Are we headed to where I think we are?"

He nodded, his smile softening into something more nostalgic. "Thalia just wait and see," he said, his voice taking on a reflective tone.

We continued in silence for a while, the memories of our past swirling around us like the mist rising from the forest floor. Eventually, we emerged into a small, secluded clearing. In the center stood a massive, ancient tree, its roots digging deep into the earth, grounding it firmly in place. My breath caught as I recognized it.

"This was the old human base," I murmured, stepping closer to the tree. The tree had grown up through the remnants of the base, its roots intertwining with the ruins, consuming the structures that once stood there.

Vorian followed me, his eyes scanning the area with a mix of pride and sorrow. "This tree," he began, "it's where we officially met."

I touched the bark, feeling the rough texture beneath my fingers. The memories of that time flooded back—the challenges we faced, the risks we took, and the countless trials and errors that had brought us to where we were now. The weight of those years settled over me like a heavy blanket, but there was a warmth to it too, a sense of pride in how far we had come.

"When I found you scouting," I laughed, mocking the past, the sound of my voice cutting through the silence of the forest. "You looked so serious, it was hard trying to crack you open."

Vorian chuckled, the sound deep and rich, tinged with the same nostalgia that filled my heart. "I was cautious," he replied, shaking his head at the memory. "I was young and foolish, trying to prove myself to everyone. I hated humans but you intrigued me."

"Really? I remember thinking you were crazy," I teased, leaning against the tree as the memories played out in my mind. "You were very headstrong and stubborn. I didn't know whether to be impressed or annoyed."

"I was probably a little of both," Vorian admitted with a grin. "But you didn't stop me."

"No," I agreed, my smile softening as I looked at him. "I didn't. Because even then, I knew you had something special—a fire that couldn't be extinguished, no matter how many times the world tried to snuff it out."

Vorian's gaze turned more serious, his eyes reflecting the weight of all we had been through. "And you," he said quietly, "were the one who kept that fire burning. Every time I doubted myself, every time I thought I couldn't go on, you were there. You believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself."