The Heir Of Dreams And Curses

Epilogue

Edgar Wollstonecraft was crying.

The only boy he'd ever loved was dead in his arms, and they both knew it could have come to that, but they had spent the better time of a few months trying not to make it happen.

He'd stayed there, on the cliffs, with Ryan's body, for what felt like an eternity. Judging from the sky, it could have been five or six hours.

It didn't matter. He didn't want to go away, to leave Ryan, whom, in the end, had given his life to save the world from that same curse they all had been battling for almost a year. 

The previous quest had happened only months before, but it was from that moment on that none of their lives would ever be the same. You don't forget things like that. You can't help but think of the people who were in those kind of adventures with you as your real, only family.

That is how, hours after Ryan's death, Edgar saw the man.

Formed in the mist as if he hadn't been there before --- and Edgar had no doubts that he hadn't --- a red-haired Enchanter started walking towards them.

His hair was not a nuanced auburn like Raegan's, but a real, bright orange colour that faded into red and looked like a flame. He looked about thirty years old.

Edgar didn't recognize him.

It didn't matter. The man wasn't famous, nor from those decades. His name was Aldrich Ember. One day, many, many years ago, he struck a deal with Time that made him immortal. But all gifts have prices.

And the price was, one day Aldrich would have to give up his immortality to resurrect an unfair death. He was made judge. He could decide when to surrender his gift, if he thought he was about to save the world.

But he had another price to pay. You can't bring back a life without causing mayhem in the realms. That is why Aldrich's gesture would unbalance the dark and light sides of the universe, and resurrecting a life he would cause a near apocalypse.

Most people thought it was only a legend.

But it was the truth.

Aldrich showed his left hand to Edgar Wollstonecraft. On the palm, he had a birthmark in the shape of a spark.

And then, he brought that same's hand to Ryan's forehead, and pressed.

First, there was a hoarse whisper.

"Edgar... Where are you?"

And then Ryan Barnes opened his eyes.