The Spirit of Wrath

Epilogue

Sahshir was in a good mood now that it was all over. Of course, a few more enemies could be dead, but he wasn't complaining.

It was a serene day within a grove on the city's outskirts. The flames had been removed, and reconstruction was only the beginning. From where he kneeled with his sword over his knees, Sahshir sensed the work.

It would be challenging, but adding those he had brought with him was helping. Moreover, the refugees had come when manpower was badly needed. So, for now, they were tolerated.

"...Then, I returned here," he finished.

Kushina sipped her tea, waiting. She still wore a few bandages but was making a full recovery. "You seem remarkably calm, given that you more or less failed to accomplish anything of note."

"Don't be foolish," said Sahshir. "Tuor, Zigildrazia, Typhos, and Dinis all combined their might for a singular purpose. They were destroying Dinis. And yet they failed. I saved many of the citizens.

"An avatar of the God Typhos manifested directly without the world, and I wounded it. So much so that it was forced to withdraw."

"So, you regard this as a victory?" asked Kushina, looking surprised.

"Of course," said Sahshir. "Had I not slipped onto that airship, all within Zigilus would be dead. But, because I was present, by Baltoth's will, some were saved. Nor would the Grail of Immortality have been retrieved.

"What if I hadn't confronted the Legions? All within Zigilus would have perished. And with them, many brave men among the legions. Likewise, had I not destroyed Typhos' heart, she might have arisen in greater power.

"And when she manifested directly in the world, I cut one of her limbs from her body. I achieved what I wanted; the Blade of Chaos is ours again."

"I suppose if your standards are low enough, anything can be victory," mused Kushina.

"And what would you have considered a victory?" asked Sahshir. "If I killed Zigildrazia, Typhos, and Garacel by myself? Three gods, whose proper form would destroy the minds of those who gazed on them? Me? Is an inexperienced warrior fresh from his first battle?

"Survival alone should have been worthy of song. But, as things stand, I am well enough content to have bloodied their noses."

"A fair point," said Kushina with a laugh. "So, how was the return journey?"

Sahshir shrugged. "Easier than I expected. The legions left behind vast numbers of supplies, and we were able to take many of them as part of our deal with Marius. We saw no more signs of Typhos. And the Blade was quiet."

"I expect she destroyed her avatar once she had finished what she set out to do," said Kushina. "She could hardly afford to keep it alive as things stand. She is a pale mockery of a true deity and will be until she regains herself. That may never happen.

"Her Avatar allowed her will to manifest once again. If she can find allies, she will go west."

"Why west?" asked Narcissa, who now wore concealing white robes.

"To Artarq," guessed Sahshir.

Kushina nodded. "Yes. Most of Typhos' spirit has been cut off from her and sealed far to the west. However, the ruins were long ago lost. I doubt the Harlenorians will just let her return, however.

"It isn't any of our concern now, of course."

"Then why did she stay to fight at all?" asked Narcissa.

"For publicity, of course," said Kushina.

"Publicity?" asked Narcissa.

"Yes," said Kushina. "Had she disappeared into the night, there may have been some rumors, but the focus would have been on the battle. However, she reshaped the whole landscape and destroyed an army by doing what she did.