The Orb And The Onslaught {COMPLETE}

Epilogue

     The nightmares had started to fade. She didn't dream about being chained up in the dark as much, and when she did they were blurry, nonsensical. She turned over in her bed and stared at the bedside clock. Seven thirty in the morning, she'd managed to sleep all night again. She got herself washed and dressed, heading downstairs to make breakfast. They'd all need to be ready soon, and they had a busy day ahead of them.

     She was just finishing the toast when the kitchen door opened. She didn't see anyone enter at first, that is until she looked down to see three feline figures sauntering towards her.

"Good morning. We're going to catch mice for breakfast so don't make us anything, Skyrah." Roxy requested politely, swishing her tail mischievously before running out of the cat flap.

The other two followed her with a shout of goodbye over their little cat shoulders.

     Skyrah smiled to herself and went about finishing the toast when the sound of the front door alerted her. She held out a cup of freshly poured tea for Quentin as he walked in, throwing his cart keys on the kitchen table.

"Thank you, this one smells nice. Have you been experimenting again?"

     "I have, it's my homework for the next few days. Learn five new uses for the herbs in the garden and at least two have to be non-magik related. Nathan says I need to have other skills too."

They both shared a grin, they'd frequently, and to their own amusement, discussed how strict Nathan could be with his lessons.

"Sometimes I think it would have been better to have brought them back from the island without their voices." Quentin joked not for the first time.

     "No it wouldn't and you know it, they've been invaluable in helping me control my magik and getting us all settled in again after... everything."

Quentin's expression drooped and he glanced towards the floor above. "Is she up yet?"

"She, has been up for hours and I'll thank you to mind your manners." Florence walked in through the back door, she had clipped flowers in one hand and her carpet bag draped over the other elbow.

    She stopped in the middle of the kitchen and stared between the two of them.

"You've been discussing the Aftermath again, haven't you? I've told you not to do that, you'll only upset yourselves."

Skyrah shuddered at the mention of it, she could still remember reappearing from the cavern on the island. Florence floating practically lifeless above the cats after she'd used the Orb. They couldn't be sure she'd even make it and that wasn't the worst of their troubles.

    Travelling back home to see the mess the Onslaught had caused, the bodies that had added up, things Florence couldn't have fixed without killing herself on the spot. It was like traversing through one ghost town after another. Worldwide clean up began and over the course of the season, things began to steadily get better. The period became known as the Aftermath and those who spoke of it still, did so in a tone of mourning.

     Florence prodded Skyrah in the arm, bringing her back to reality and the toast that was almost burning. She popped the toaster and went to making breakfast.

"There will always be things we wish we could have done differently, but dwelling on them won't change how they happened. It's time to move on, and speaking of, what time do we need to get there today?"

     Florence was putting the flowers in the vase while she spoke, Skyrah and Quentin shared a look that said Florence was struggling just as they were. They didn't say it aloud however and Quentin peered at his phone.

"We have around two hours so we better get a move on." He sipped his tea and stole a slice of toast.

    "And who is it we're supposed to be seeing?"

"A professor at the university, Miyah said he would be expecting us. I don't think he knows what he's letting himself in for." Florence chuckled and went out of the door to call the cats. 

"How do you think she's really doing?" Quentin asked, leaning over to peek out through the window.

     "The same as the rest of us, adjusting to life after the things we all endured."

Skyrah didn't need to explain further, the first few nights back had been the roughest. None of them slept well, they waited for Florence to wake up and when she did she was quiet. She didn't eat, sleep or speak properly for days. She finally opened up after an argument with Quentin and she told them of all the troubles she saw; all the things she could have fixed and had to ignore.

     She'd cried and soon they were all crying; from frustration, exhaustion, relief, inner grief, heartache or all of the above. It was the beginning of their healing, Quentin had moved back to his house only a few days before and Skyrah was happy to stay with Florence for the time being. Life was slowly moving forwards and hopefully, after talking with this professor, they could start to draw an end to this chapter of their lives.

     Florence came back inside with the cats and they all milled around to get ready. An hour later and they were on the road to East Teridia, Florence and Quentin were having a discussion about his first trip back to Nuplax now that the rebellion had fully established themselves as leaders. Nathan and Joey were talking over the merits of driving a cart versus a horse and carriage. While Roxy was attempting to quiz Skyrah on the defensive magik she'd been learning. Skyrah was only half listening and somehow she still managed to get the answers correct.

     Her mind was elsewhere, as it so frequently was whenever they were out of the house. Now that she was gaining control of her magik, there were things she wanted to do. One thing in particular gnawed away at her, something she hadn't told Quentin or Florence about. Not even the cats seemed to suspect that her mind lingered on this particular subject. Jastiah. He was still alive out there somewhere, she could feel it and she couldn't let that stand. One day she would seek him out and she would have revenge, for her and the rest of the prisoners.

    However for now, she was content with her life. Sitting in the back of the cart listening to the conversations, wondering what the professor would make of their tale. The story of the old lady, her cats, her carer and her charge. The family who did not choose each other and yet were chosen for each other. A family nonetheless. One who finally put an end to the Orb and the Onslaught.