A Series of Traumatic Events

Chapter Thirteen (Epilouge)

Varian sat up quickly, coughing violently until he threw up. Zhan Tiri had left the room, instructing Cassandra to take Varian outside and explain to him what happened.

Cassandra carried Varian's small body to the outside of her tower and gently laid him down, leaning him against a tree. He was slipping in and out of consciousness and looked very confused.

"Hey kid. Welcome back." Cassandra said, flashing a tight smile.

"Wha-? Where am I?" Varian asked with a groan. His head was throbbing, and he was unnaturally cold. He did come back from the dead, after all.

"There's not much time to explain." Cassandra said hurriedly. "Listen...Varian, I'm really sorry for everything I did to you. I was...not thinking clearly."

"Yeah, I've been there," Varian chucked, "So wait, you're on our side again?"

Cass sighed. "Not necessarily."

"I don't understand-"

"Varian, you were dead. Zhan Tiri, the ancient demon, killed you. Actually, she tried killing you multiple times." Cassandra explained.

Varian was astonished. He had been...dead? Why? Why did Zhan Tiri want him dead? He was just a kid, a kid who had a tendency to blow things up every now and again. And what did Cass mean by trying to kill him multiple times? Then he realized:

"She was the one who switched my chemicals! And..and she was the one in my dream...not once, but twice! She gave me a dream in your tower and at my house! But...I don't...why?"

Cassandra looked at Varian a moment before saying, "You know how the story goes. Zhan Tiri was defeated by...?"

"Demanitus, yes. But what does any of that have to do with me?" Varian inquired.

"According to her, you are supposed to become the next Demanitus. You are supposed to defeat her." Cass slowly explained.

Varian's heart skipped a beat. Demanatus had been his childhood hero. (Well, other than Flynn Rider.) He had studied his work, deciphered his scrolls. And now, Varian was supposed to become him.

He didn't know if he should be thrilled or terrified.

"You gotta get out of here kid. Zhan Tiri is going to try to attack Corona soon. Go to your dad. Figure something out." Cassandra whispered. She didn't know if Zhan Tiri was listening.

"What about you? You're helping me...but you're not on our side?" Varian asked.

"I had to promise to stay and fight with her in exchange for your life." Cass replied simply.

Varian's eyes widened. "You..did that..for me?" He asked in disbelief. He couldn't fathom how someone would do that for him.

"It's the kinda thing friends do, right?" She replied with a smirk. "Now get outta here. You've got a battle to prepare for."

"Right. Yeah. Um...c'ya later then." Varian said as he started to walk away. "And..Cass? Thank you. I don't know if I can ever repay you for this."

"Just protect Corona. That's how you can repay me." Cass replied as she turned back toward her tower.

And they parted ways.

-

Quirin finished packing up a bag of supplies and looked out the window, staring at the cloudy sky. He was going to find his son, no matter what.

The King had ordered Quirin to go home until Varian had been located. Which he had done, but he didn't plan on staying. How was he supposed to just sit here while everyone else looked for his son? No, he had to find him. He had to find his body, bury him next to his mother.

Ruddiger entered the room and sat down next to the bag of supplies. He looked up at Quirin sadly. He had tried feeding him, but the raccoon just wouldn't eat. Quirin was worried that the poor animal would starve himself and he'd lose the last piece of Varian he had left.

Qurin returned his gaze to the sky, and he saw a figure in the fields. It was distant, and he figured it must've been one of the children that lived in the village. They were often playing out in the fields. Varian used to do the same, when he was younger. Looking for new animals, or specimens, as he would call them.

The figure started to get bigger, and Quirin squinted, trying to find out who it was.

Once the person was close enough, Quirin could make out details. It was a small, skinny person, and it appeared to be a boy. Reminded him of Varian. Then, as the figure drew closer, he realized:

It was Varian.

At first, Quirin didn't believe it. His son was gone. But the longer he looked, the more certain it became. It was Varian.

Quirin stumbled out the door, running toward his son with great speed. And when Varian saw his dad, he started running as well.

They collided into each other, tears streaming down Quirin's face.

"Son! Oh, my son, you're alive! I thought I lost you! But you're here! Oh, son. I love you so much. I will never let anything happen to you again." Quirin cried, rambling.

Varian just held onto his dad. He didn't want to let go.

"I'm here dad. And I'm not going away again." Varian said.

"But, how?" Quirin asked as he pulled away. "Varian, you were dead. Where did you go? What happened?"

"Cassandra. She saved me." Varian replied simply, but Quirin's puzzled look signaled for Varian to explain further.

Varian told his dad everything that Cassandra told him. Zhan Tiri, Demanitus, and Cassandra's promise.

Quirin couldn't be more grateful for Cassandra. All of his past grudges against her had disappeared.

Quirin also felt a surge of pride as his son told him that he was destined to become the next Demanitus. His son was going to help defeat Zhan Tiri. He could hardly believe it.

"Cassandra said Zhan Tiri is set to attack Corona any minute." Varian said with concern.

"Well then," Quirin said. "Looks like we've got work to do. Got a plan?"

"Uh..nope."

"That's fine, we'll figure this out together. You and me. We will protect Corona. Okay?" Quirin assured.

Varian hugged his dad in response, holding onto him as fresh tears started to form in his eyes.

Quirin knew they had a lot of work to do, a lot to prepare for.  But right now, he had his son back. And after this series of traumatic events...

That's all that mattered.

(Anyone is welcome to write the sequel where they actually fight Zhan Tiri, as long as you give credit :) Thanks for reading!)