The Formula

Epilogue

Epilogue

"There is a lot of work that must be done. As it stands, our country lies in shambles. Our government has been infiltrated, corrupted, overrun and shattered. From a political standpoint, we're building from scratch here. We may never know exactly how many lives were sacrificed to bring about this great liberation—nor to what extent they went to do so. With so many secrets now exposed, it's hard to say what to expect anymore. One thing becomes increasingly clear, however. This is our time to rebuild. This is our time to rise from the ashes, like the Phoenix of legend."

The man on the television screen hesitated to look down at his paper. The image jumped from him to thousands of civilians standing outside the ruins of the Governor's villa. Every soul was silent—quietly waiting for what the man had to say next.

"Adam Bracket," he continued, "was a true hero. We are unified in thanking him and his allies for everything he accomplished. His origins are unknown, and though the exact details of his mysterious situation are slowly brought to light, one thing becomes clear: the need of complete transparency within corporations and governments. As for this...this...Formula. That remains yet convoluted. Can something so powerful ever be properly harnessed? I am of the opinion that it cannot. Only time will now tell what becomes of such unethical science. I must ask you—and the world beyond—at what point does science stretch too far?"

Celia sighed and folded her hair over her ear, blinking slowly. She smiled, and reached out to hold Felix's hand. "What do you think will become of the Formula, anyway?"

Felix frowned, stroking her fingers while taking a drink from his coffee. He licked his lips, enjoying the supple breeze of the warm, midday. They sat outside by a quaint café, underneath a striped awning. The television set nearby continued to broadcast the public display from last week, with the shopkeeper and other attendants utterly glued to the screen. It zoomed out, giving a broader view of the temporary leaders. Most of them were from outside the country, with a few important freedom fighters. Felix squinted seeing Morrison up there. The man had never looked happier in his life, despite the serious frown on his face. It warmed Felix's heart to see him that way.

"I can't say." He looked at her and smiled. His eye patch rubbed against his cheek and he fiddled with it for a moment before continuing. "They can try locking it away, but there will always be people trying to replicate it."

Celia leaned close. "Hmm. Well, I for one hope they never do."

He chuckled, holding her hands. She had more scars than before—they both did—and her hair was cut short, but she was still strikingly beautiful. He enjoyed every moment of their company.

"Why's that?" he asked.

"Because then we wouldn't be alone in our little secret," she laughed. He touched her face and they shared a kiss. When he closed his eye, Felix saw her serpentine body moving across the rooftops—heard her cheer in laughter as he tried to catch her. He enjoyed the memory of sitting on a lonely cathedral, with only the gargoyles to keep them company as gazed up at the moon, their tails swinging slowly behind them.

He wished he could change into his dragon form right then and chase her across the roofs.

"That would be a shame. Perhaps we could pay a visit to wherever they keep that information."

"I see it in the newspaper now. Science lab burns down in mysterious fire. Dragon Formula lost forever."

He kissed her again. "Sounds like a date to me."

Celia leaned back, nursing her cup of tea. Felix tapped his fingers on the table, wondering at what was to become of the world. With the secret out that people could be turned into dragons with a simple injection, the global demographic had just drastically changed. Wars would be fought over such information. Who knew, maybe the next war would be fought using such information.

He wondered if Leap was truly gone. Nobody had seen him since the villa went up in flames. There was no way he could have survived such a blast. They had barely found anything left of Sebastian's body. A scale and charred bones, that was about it. But nothing from Leap. For all intents and purposes he was dead. Whether or not he actually was, perhaps somewhere he had finally gained what he had so desperately sought after. Absolution.

Marleen was treated like a war hero. Even then, top scientists were busy at work trying to solve the issue of her mutation—though she actually preferred to stay how she was. They tried to visit her as often as they could, but it was difficult. After all, Adam Bracket and Celia Rolson were both dead.

The clinking of glass nearby disrupted Felix's thoughts. Looking over his leather jacket, he spotted a couple sitting nearby. Their discretely raised their glasses to him before taking longs drinks, beaming all the while. The woman was harder to recognize with her hair coloured in a similar fashion to Celia's, but the man was unmistakable. He was brawny and wide, with massive hands and a stern expression.

Gustaf and Kerry Blackston.

Felix smiled at them. They nodded in return and set quickly back to their drinks, signing to communicate. When Felix turned to tell Celia, he found her with a hand on her chin, grinning as if she knew some huge secret. He frowned at her before she looked past him.

He followed her gaze and was startled to see Morrison approaching. The man did not come to them directly, but instead sat down at the table adjacent and ordered a tea.

He leaned their way and tipped his hat, saying, "I'm sorry sir, do we know each other?"

Felix shrugged. "No, no. I think you're mistaken."

Morrison smiled with his eyes, warming Felix's soul. "My mistake. Perhaps, then, you know my friend there."

Felix craned his neck, unsure what to expect. His heart leapt seeing who it was. Wordlessly, he stood. Emotion poured through him and he couldn't help himself as tears streaked down his cheek. He laugh timidly, lip trembling, as he approached a new figure.

The man wore sleek, smooth trousers and high top shoes. He wore a denim jacket Felix knew all too well, with his hair slicked carefully to one side. His beard curled in a meek smile. Very carefully, the man removed his Boxton sunglasses and looked Felix square in the eye.

"Felix," Steez Beagleman himself said. He held out a hand, admiration shining brightly over his features. "I hear you're my biggest fan."

Then, Felix's emotions burst like a dam. Sobbing, he embraced his hero.