Author's Note: Well, this is it. Thank you to everyone who's been around, is still around, or even just joining me for the duration and completion of this story :). It has been a long journey and we've finally reached our destination. For all the people who thought I'd never finish this, myself included, here you go, lol! I hope everyone's had a good time; I know I have.
Thank you for all of the reviews; your comments have kept me and this story going. Thank you, Cat, for being my extra pair of eyes and giving me advice and encouragment.
So, at a month shy of four years, here are the final pages of Severed.
Epilogue
"Bring him in."
The man stood just outside the double doors and was walking into the room before the military escort reached him. The man glanced around the dilapidated room and bit back a sneer of disdain. Weary looking soldiers in ragged, hand-me-down fatigues sat at a chipped wooden table. A fat man was at the head. His uniform looked newer than those of his soldiers and rusty medals were pinned to his breast pockets.
The man stopped a few steps before he reached the fat general and knelt, bowing his head.
"You are the one with information on new energist mines?"
"Yes sir," the man kept his head bowed. "I also have military information, layouts of various territories and enemy strongholds, plus extensive knowledge of Zaibach technology and experiments."
"You know how they build their flying guymelefs and about their magic?" The Fat General's upper lip beaded with sweat.
"Sir, I know where the Zaibach Sorcerers have gone into hiding. I've been to the place several times during my service with Zaibach."
Fat General rubbed his extra chin, sizing the man before him up. "Rise, young man."
The man rose to his feet, keeping his head bowed in deference.
"You betray your own country to bring us this information."
"My country no longer exists thanks to Astoria and her Allies."
"And you are aware that we were once Allies of Astoria, and aided in the downfall of Zaibach?" Fat General asked.
"Yes sir, and I am also aware that during the battle you broke your allegiance. You wish to bring greatness to your own country, and to do that, you must bring down those that destroyed mine."
Fat General narrowed his eyes. "You have a personal vendetta against someone?"
The man smiled. "Against a few someones actually, but I am not thinking of them now. I simply want to avenge my country, and..."
"Make a name for yourself?" Fat General chuckled. He rose from his chair with a grunt. The chair seemed to sag in relief. Fat General stood eye to eye with the young man. "I respect your motivation, but tell me why I should trust you?"
The man raised his head and smiled, revealing even white teeth. "Can you really trust any man you haven't fought beside?"
Fat General stared, then laughed heartily. He gazed around at the apprehensive faces of his men, then back at the young man with the nice smile. "I suppose we soldiers do only tend to trust our comrades in arms. Does this mean we must stage a battle with you fighting at our side before we can present you to our king as a worthy advisor?"
"Do as you see fit. I will prove myself to you in the language we soldiers understand, and then I will help bring riches and power to Basram."
"And riches and power to yourself?"
The young man's smile widened. "To everyone involved. Zaibach was not able to finish its ultimate project. The Four Generals were too busy listening to the words of an insane old man to pay attention to what was really going on around them. The scientific discoveries, the excavations of new power sites, the new technologies in the making. Zaibach was about innovation. We were going to bring Gaia out of its stone ages, and somehow Fate and Destiny made our leaders lose those ideals. Basram will become the new Zaibach, the better Zaibach without an Emperor to ruin it."
"And with your information, you believe this poor country can do all that?" Fat General asked.
"With my information, we can find the people who made a poor country into the feared Zaibach you knew."
Fat General grunted and looked back at his men again. Some of the exhaustion was gone from their eyes. A few sat up straighter; some grinned.
Fat General nodded and turned back to the young man. "You use pretty words and spin pretty tales, young man. I still don't know what kind of a man you are, but it's not up to me to decide if you should serve Basram. I can only deem you worthy to meet with our king."
The man nodded. "Yes sir."
Fat General appraised him longer. "I'll set up the appointment. Until then, you can stay in our barracks."
"Thank you, sir."
"I'll need to put your name on the temporary roster, so I can give you a room assignment. What's your name, soldier?"
"Isaac. Martin Isaac."
Author's Note: So... what's the final verdict? Like it? Hate it? Don't care either way? Anyway, let me know. Please review :) I hope you enjoyed the conclusion, and thanks so much for reading. Take care.