NightTime Roads

And now, the Epilogue. Thanks to everyone who read/reviewed my work. I praise you all. May your own stories be full of great ideas and loyal readers. till next time, see ya!

Snidne, out!

Epilogue


I still hate you. I guess at some level, I always will.

Those were the last words his brother ever spoke to him directly. It was almost a year ago now since Idora had been sentenced to die, yet Antros could clearly recall that day as if it was happening right before his eyes. Idora was charged with several crimes, all of which he had no problem admitting to have done. Antros could still remember the look in his eyes, not one of fear but of determination. The same look he gave Antros in the forest when he saw Evia.

Idora had known this would be his fate. Somehow, in a way, he always knew it would end this way. Yet the thought never scared him, never unnerved him. To him, this was just a new challenge, a new beginning. A beginning of the end. So when the time to carry out his sentence came, Idora walked calmly to what he knew was his demise. He showed no panic, nor tried to stuggle against the guards. He just wore that same smirk he always seemed to have, as if defying the purpose of what was about to happen. The purpose of imposing fear.

Idora didn't fear. He had lost that fear the moment he had chosen to hunt down his brother. He showed no fear when Kilas seemed ready to kill him along with his brother, so it didn't surprise Antros when he showed no fear then. For a fleeting moment, Antros thought he saw his brother looking to him, as if daring him to bet that he couldn't make it out alive, only to try and prove him wrong. Instead all he muttered was, "Let's hurry this up. I want to get to hell already."

Antros turned away. He didn't watch.

Now, almost a year later, Antros stood near a small grave, remembering the last words his brother spoke to him. The grave was a special request to the queen by Antros himself. Despite all that he had done, Antros argued that Idora was still his brother, and the least he could recieve was a proper burial. And so he was buried in a small grave just outside of the castle walls. Antros alone seemed to be the only one who visited him, although there were times he saw, out of the corner of his eyes, Rekia or Ayisa standing a short distance away, although they would be gone by the time he decided to head back to the castle.

But Antros was quite alone this time, he was sure of it. In fact, he had to be leaving shortly too. Today was a big day and the whole kingdom was abuzz over the news. He had to be ready, but decided on a quick visit to his brother's grave.

"Idora... fool. I wish you were really still alive. I wish I could have shown you the love you wanted, the love you needed. The kind of love that only I, as a brother, could have shown you."

Antros sighed a walked away. Yes, Antros hated his brother. He hated all the things Idora had carried out in his name. He hated him for taking Ayisa away, and forcing him to leave his new home, a place where he felt secure and happy. He hated what his brother put him through, and what he could have put the entire Gaia Kingdom through. Antros had every reason to hate him, almost as much as Idora hated Antros.

I hate you too brother. But I guess at some level, I will always love you as my family. I guess that's the difference between us, huh?


The entire kingdom turned up, each one waiting anxiously. Finally, the large oak doors opened and a cheer was shout. Antros was hand in hand with Ayisa as they walked down the steps, the guards lined up to keep the crowd at bay while they cheered and shouted. Antros was wearing a suit and tie made of cotton while Ayisa was wearing a dress made entirely of imported silk. At the end of the line of guards, stood the queen Rekia and, with her arms around him, Evia. They all had smiles on thier faces, save for Rekia who only gave a small grin, as the two walked toward them.

As soon as they came up, Evia took a small crystal tiara and placed it on Ayisa's head, as she watched her mother beam with pride. Rekia presented Antros with a special gold pendant, with a ruby that had been placed upon it. Then Rekia took his position and shouted to the crowd "Now stands before you Princess Ayisa and her new husband, Antros!" At this the guards gave a salute and another shout was heard.

Antros smiled to Ayisa and gave her a kiss, sweet and tender. Ayisa returned it with equal tenderness, know that Antros would give her a much more passionate kiss once they were away from prying eyes. The new couple went into a carrage with the queen, Rekia and Evia back to the castle, the church they had just exited from starting to become smaller and smaller.

"I'm so happy for you both!"

"Thank you mother." Both of them hugged while Rekia and Antros looked to each other.

"Well, congratulations Antros. I do hope you'll take good care of our princess."

"Thanks Rekia, but please don't get mad if I decide not to hug you." Both of them smirked a little, and Ayisa wrapped her arms around him, grinning. Antros smiled and kissed her again, before returning his attention to Rekia. "So, when are you two getting married?"

Rekia looked away to Evia, trying to hide the slight blush that was forming in his cheeks. Evia didn't help in the matter as she giggled to him. "No need to be shy sweetie."

"I'm not," Rekia mumbled, before turning to see Antros with a smile on his face. Gods what he wouldn't give to reach over and smack it off his face. "Stop smiling! What's so funny?"

Every in the carrage was smiling now, as if to try and hold in the burst of laughter that threated to leak out. "Nothing's funny Rekia," Antros said rather calmly, though he still had the smile on his face.

"Anyway, this isnt the time. Your the special couple here, so I hardly think the subject of MY love life is really important." Rekia said, as if the matter was closed. Antros gave a shrug and waved it off. Soon enough they arrived at the castle and headed out. Antros, however, held Ayisa back.

"Ayisa wait, I want to talk to you."

"Um, well... ok." Antros smiled and led Ayisa to the garden, being careful to walk around the plants. Soon enough they had reached the flowers that Ayisa tended to herself. "So, what did you want to tell me?" Ayisa was certainly curious as to what Antros had to say that he wouldn't say it in front of everyone else.

"Actually, I wanted to give you something. And I feel like it would be better to give this to you now then later." Antros reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wrapped box which he gave to Ayisa. Ayisa opened it and gave a gasp. Inside was a silver bracelet, and engraved on it was the word Beloved. "There. Now you'll always be my beloved, Ayisa."

"Antros... this is... beautiful..." Her hands seem to tremble as Antros carefully lifted the gift and placed in on her wrist of the same hand which held her new wedding band. Once it was securely placed, Antros reached in and gave Ayisa a kiss. She kissed him back, thier lips tender with each other, as thier tounges danced together. When it was over, Ayisa smiled to him and held on to his body in a loving hug.

Truthfully, Antros wouldn't have it any other way.