After The End

What happens after “The End”? He didn't even scream. Everything became eerily quiet as the distorted human, who'd long been overcome by the dark forces that gave him his ruthless power, stared at the blades in his chest. With pale, shaking hands he grasped the blades, blood sliding down his arms and torso. Suddenly they were torn from his body by another set of bloodied hands. The man hit his knees, eyes wide as the full moon. A young woman, holding a long, thin sword in each hand, watched the man. Her cold face scrunched up, and she kicked the man down, slashing his throat in a single, fluid motion. She straightened and turned her back on the monster. For generations that creature had haunted the people of this land. Using a power so dark it consumed him, he became a dictator that caused endless suffering for those he ruled. His soldiers rampaged through villages for amusement, unstoppable under his limitless power. And now he was dead. The young woman looked at her blades, coated in the dark liquid that once ran through his veins. She felt pity for the human he once was, but that feeling faded almost as quickly as it formed. Try as she might, she could not feel any lasting emotion for the evil being that took everything from her besides hatred. Even his blood is darker, she observed. Where does the “hero” go when they have nothing to return to? You have done well, brave war-no, brave hero, echoed a slew of voices in her mind, voices belonging to the very gods who had led her to this moment. We give you our most sincere appreciation. Take this as a token of our eternal gratitude. A thick ring made of silver appeared before the newly ordained heroine. A pure black stone was set in the ring, and the entire band was covered in intricate designs. She set down one sword and took the ring. As soon as it was in her hand, a soft white light ran over her body, removing every drop of blood and healing her injuries. Examining the ring, the heroine could see several of the great gods’ symbols: a sun, a crescent moon, a gust of wind. You have truly earned your title hero. There will always be a place for you in our realm once your time as a mortal comes to an end. May your path be blessed. The voices faded, and silence reigned over the dark chamber. How do you live after losing everything worth living for? She had her revenge. It had taken many years and countless battles, but she finally had what she'd worked for since that fateful day. She could even taste it on her lips. It tasted bitter. There was no family waiting for this hero, no faithful lover awaiting her return. Anyone who had ever meant anything to her was destroyed years ago. There was no dream left to follow, or home to return to. Revenge had consumed her life much like those dark forces had consumed that man, and now it was over. She had nothing. She was nothing. This was it; this was The End.