30. Epilogue of another prologue

15 YEARS LATER...

RIHOKO AMAHA:

I still remember my mother. She was everything to me. She protected me from the monsters and most importantly, gave me a chance to live a second life. I miss so many people but I'm glad a few survived the Second Quake.

Oh yes that's right! Maria achieved her greedy goal and obtained the Oken. So many were killed that it was easy for her to infiltrate the Royal Palace. The world and Soul Society has suffered since her rule began.

My mother was given a military funeral with the many other Shinigami and souls who died that fateful day. Her sacrifice destroyed the Witchblade for good so not even the most evil could obtain it in the end.

These stairs seem to ascend forever. A golden carpet has been laid across the stairway into the heavens.

The scenery here is amazing and I can see why anyone would want to try and live here. However I must not get too encapsulated with the peaceful view because this place is home to a terrible evil...An evil I have come to stop.

Everything is silent. The winds hiss and my robes furl with the breeze. The clinking sound of boots catches my attention.

"So you've finally showed your little face brat?"

I have to laugh at Maria. "I have grown up far more than you have over these last fifteen years."

"Why you...!? Oh why am I getting so worked up? So what if you're a measly Shinigami now."

I grip my katana. "Not just a normal Shinigami."

"Oh." She places her hands on her hips. "And what would make you different to an ordinary Shinigami?"

"Because I have my mother by my side."

"HAH!" She loosens her black wings, ironically making her look like a dark angel.

"I see you still rely on others for power?"

"I never even needed that pathetic Witchblade in the end, I have all I want now and a little Shinigami squirt isn't gonna take it away from me."

I look down and muse for a moment; focusing on my zanpakuto. "Come on mama, let's get her."

Maria scoffs. "How admirable, I'll put you out of your misery with one strike." She draws her sword.

"You're the one in misery Maria...all this time you thought you had everything, yet there was one thing you lacked all along...a heart."

"HYAH!"

I clasp my sword. "Let's do this mama...HUURRGGGHH!!!!"

THE END

And so the saga comes to a close. It inevitably had to end and I'm sorry if the last few chapters felt a bit rushed but I was very eager to get this one completed. I have been working on this story for at least five months so I'm cheering for its end. Now's the time to review the story. Was it brilliant? Was it terrible? Do you want to give me any tips or constructive criticism? By the way I want to know what you thought of my writing style for this one. I devoted a scene to a different character and wrote in their first-person perspective. Did you think that was clever or just silly? Please let me know for next time. Thank you for following this story from begging to end. It Dies With You, and Lives On lives on in the fanfic world...