Shards of Darkness

Epilogue

It's been ten years ever since the rebuilding of the world, to make it back once it was.  Irina had been made Empress, which nobody seemed to mind, and she led her people in helping the world rise from its ashes.

    Emperor Bruce was the old phoenix, and now had died, leaving behind his ashes.  But a new one had been born: Irina.  She is the new phoenix.  The beautiful beacon the rest of the world looks up to.  Irina had changed.  She was no longer that childish playgirl back when she first led Shards of Darkness.  She became more serious and businesslike.  Although Irina still acted like a child, especially around Niko, her new best friend.  No surprise there.

    Rebuild, rebuild, rebuild.  Everyone worked tirelessly to restore the world back to the way it was before Bruce took over.  Except they made a few tweaks to it so that it was even better.  After all, you always need a rough draft before the final draft.  Just like how God made Adam before making Eve.  Adam was the rough draft, and Eve was the final.

    Now let's take a peek at the only prisoner in the palace shall we?

    "Hey," Irina said softy.  "I brought you some food."  She gently placed it down onto the plain wooden table.  The prisoner was staring outwards at the glassless window.  "Come on Bu, it's time to eat," Irina coaxed, walking over to the V.I.P (Very Important Prisoner) and tugging on his sleeve.

    Finally, the person turned around and walked to the table, sat down, and just stared at the food laid out in front of him.  It wasn't because the food is so disgusting that he's going to sit there and look at the meal like it's going to leap out of its bowl and start dancing.

    He just didn't have much of an appetite, I mean, the food is fit enough for a king!  Or in this case, a former emperor.

    Bruce.

    "Bruuuuuuce," Irina moaned.  "I took time off from my busy schedule just so I can spend some time with you.  Don't ya dare let it go to waste."  A flicker of a ghostly smile danced on the former royalty's lips before he picked up the spoon and drank some soup.

    "Thanks for letting me live," Bruce smiled at Irina.

    "Aw, no biggie!"  Irina beamed.  "But...I kinda feel bad for locking you up in here.  It's not really living if you're sealed in this room, is it?"

    "No," Bruce agreed.  "But being with you makes up for it."  Irina blushed at his complimented.  Even though she betrayed him, Bruce was still as kind as always.

    "Hey," Irina smiled gently at him.  "If ya want, I could always sneak you out and you can live in an isolated spot in the woods or something.  It'll be more free than here."

    Bruce shook his head, declining the chance to get out of here.  "No, it doesn't matter if I live in the woods or not, it'll still be the same as living here.  But living here is better because I get to be closer to you," Bruce grinned.

    "C'mere ya big lug," Irina went over to him and gave Bruce a bear hug.  Smiling happily, Bruce hugged her back.

    The two unlikely friends stayed wrapped in each other's arms as the Sun's rays shined down upon them.