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The Final Farewell

Three months had passed...

The Federation had finally put an end to the returning historical problems by the Solids, and in turn, they gained many insights and facts for the history books. Many unexplained mysteries were solved by the witness accounts of those who witnessed the mystery first hand. Some were dismissed as hoaxes, while other had darker truths that were left buried. Lost pages of books and stories were returned to their proper place, thereby completing missing museum pieces.

The Saurians were the most progressive ever since the Culax and the rest of its fleet returned to their home world. In the three months of their remaining lives, Selis and his crew filled a lot of gaps in the race's Lost Histories period, as they came from a period where most of its events were lost due to cataclysmic events that ravaged the Saurian home world. It was a great progress for the old civilization, and it also caused some changes, most notably the abolition of slavery.

Selis and the rest of the fleet lobbied for its abolition despite of being deceased, but his efforts paid off. There were petitions to abolish an ancient system that had no place in the Federation, one that caused schism within the Saurian society. Some did not want it to be abolished for personal reasons, which was quite selfish. This caused many to be unsympathetic to their causes and their voices were quickly drowned by the majority. The Saurian Law of Rights quickly went in effect, just days before Selis and the rest of his fleet disappeared, for their time as Solids had expired.

The Sha'kren and the rest of her research fleet did not contribute much to the Aquran society other than filling the gaps of their mysterious disappearances centuries ago. Unlike Selis, they had nothing to do for the rest of their time living, so they decided to enjoy the last three months they had. Palesa and Kalesa visited many of their friends from the journey, and helped authored an autobiography of their lives, as they did not have the chance during their travels and demise. Both were regarded as pioneers, and it was quite an honor for them.

Life seemed to go for the better for everyone involved. Capisa returned to his station as a Mako Agent, but resigned a month after the travel to help his family's business, preferring a more grounded life after an adventure of his lifetime. Calventis returned to Adonis I to help recovery on his chiefdom, with Dajar, his lover, helping him. Everyone was surprised that Calventis, an heir to the Mankoreta line, would come out as gay, but Renziletis approved of this. He did not want his son to be restrained by royal life, and secretly admitted that being a Kaf'rak was 'quite dull'. Even so, Calventis was not ready to ascend to chiefdom until Renziletis stepped down, which was after tying up loose ends.

Xsatuki, with nowhere to go, and still need to be under Dairyu's protection for the next three months, decided to help the black Orient with everything he could, but aside from cooking, he was practically useless. He did not understand Terran customs, and his serpentine body, as he feared, was very disadvantageous to everyone. He took a lot of space, and despite encouragement from Dairyu to 'get a job', he failed to find one on account of his status as an alien with no proper paperwork, and his body, which did not help with many jobs at all, including in a restaurant. He would be depressed if not for Dairyu appointing him to be his butler, and also recommending a shrine priest to let him be the 'Shrine Snake', like he said before. His presence in the shrine actually boosted tourism in that area as they wanted to see him and take photo of him. He was quite menacing since he looked like a Terran cobra, but nobody cared, as he was quite mild-mannered. At first, this overwhelmed Xsatuki, but he got used to it and even learned how to make a less menacing expression.

Atho returned to his people, the Rendloks, and continued his work as an ambassador to his race. He sired many offspring from his mating with the matriarch of his society and helped populate a barren planet and transform it into a Rendlok colony that thrived under Federation protection. He stayed in touch with his old crewmates from the Azure, and in St. Vincent. Unfortunately for him, he did not live long after this, as Rendloks had short life span of only 40 years, and he was 30 years old when this adventure started. He lived on for another 2 years, retiring his post two months before he died. His name was added to the memorial of those who perished in this journey, along with hundreds of others who were killed in the final days of St. Vincent.

As for Dairyu and Seiryu...well, their lives continued as normal. Dairyu managed to bargain with the Agashina family to let Natsumi returned to Terra along with most of her possessions to be returned to her, on the condition that Dairyu married her and accepting her into the Tsukasa family. They would not dare making him as their enemy for he was regarded as Terra's hero, and this fame became more apparent when they found out about his efforts in saving the universe, along with Seiryu. Seiryu did not want any recognition because of his past, but did not protest when his life would be documented.

Then, their lives went on for three months, until the faithful day...

Dairyu and Seiryu were playing some video games in their estate, a big, traditional home sitting near a beach and a big lawn for children to play and to host parties. Dairyu used his influence as a Warrior and parts of Natsumi's inheritance to purchase the home and its surrounding lands, which was abandoned due to rumors of it being haunted. The family did not care, mostly because they resolved the situation with the ghosts, which turned into Solids because of the incident. The ghosts were then convinced that the new owners would do the house justice, and departed peacefully.

Since then, they did their best to repair the traditional home. Despite of being expensive, they tried to use real wood instead of synthesized, but they used modern construction techniques to help save time. Due to that, they managed to make the home better, retrofitted with equipment from their time. Then, as the house had quite an area, Dairyu decided to park the Wind of Change on the west side of the home building, shut down the onboard computer, and took out the warp drive and impulse engine, to prevent theft. Essentially, the ship became something of a building. It had been retired, after a long, arduous journey. Dairyu was personally glad; it was the first ship he had ever tried to preserve, instead of it being junked. He regretted scuttling the Azure, but what's done is done.

Dairyu also decided to start making a home garden, as a hobby, utilizing the big lawn they had and turning parts of it into an orchard of sorts to different kinds of plants. It wasn't hard to find seeds and seedlings, and Dairyu managed to get parts of it worked, though he was concerned that the sea wind would cause problems. It wasn't really a problem, however, as he was a wind Orient, and he remembered this fact after Seiryu reminded him of it. He also planned to build a greenhouse, but that could come later.

He took most of his time conversing and getting closer to Seiryu, who only had three months to live. Seiryu was quite hesitant at first, but the second chance he had clearly changed him for the better. He was no longer violent or foul-mouthed, and he was quite cheerful. Dairyu as his stepfather was awkward at first, but slowly, he warmed up to him, and their relationship was more as friends than comrades.

Dairyu himself also stayed in contact with many of his own crewmates, including Amhyr, who returned to his home in Vitania. He was saddened by the fact that Rose was gone, but that sadness was alleviated somewhat with her periodic visit as a white-furred wolf, both in his dreams and in life, talking to him about life and their children. Of course, he also agreed to be Amhyr's game tester, given that Dairyu played video games in his youth, and somehow retained the interest and skills once all his problems seemed to be over, to the surprise of Amhyr who did not think that the Orient had a normal life before he became a Warrior.

It was as if three months passed without them aware of it, and both draconians were very glad that there was a time where they could bond.

Dairyu was still the better player between the two of them, and only lost once to Seiryu. They then stopped playing and walked towards the porch, relaxing and drinking tea while Natsumi and Yuki did laundry.

"It has been three months, isn't it, Ryu?" said Seiryu while eating a cookie. "Time flies when you're having fun."

"It is, Seiryu, it is," said Dairyu. "Oh, and just so you know, my orchard's finally ready to harvest."

"Is it, now? That's quick. But, eh, let's hope the taste's good."

They laughed, before both went silent.

"You know," said Dairyu. "There's a lot of thing I want to do with you. Three months seems like a short time to do all of it. And, well, to be honest, I don't want to see you go."

"But I've already died once, Ryu, and I've felt ready to return to afterlife. I suppose...three months are enough."

Dairyu wanted to say something, but refrained from it.

"And...I think it's time."

As Natsumi and Yuki walked back to the porch, they saw that Seiryu started to glow. Both quickly ran towards him and, realizing he was about to go, started to cry, embracing him as he started to fade away.

"Mom, Yuki...thank you for giving me a chance," said Seiryu. "I...don't know how to say thank you. You never give up on me, and..."

"I know, son," said Natsumi, sniffling. "I know. I've accepted your death, but seeing you come back and live with us feels like...a miracle. I don't want to see you go, but...thank you, for helping this grieving mother a chance to see her son again."

"Yes, mom...I...I want more time, but three months is enough."

He then turned towards Yuki, who was trying to hold her tears, but to no avail.

"Yuki, I may not be the best brother you have, but, I'm glad to know that you're happy," said Seiryu. "Also, keep an eye of your father here. He may look wise, but his wit can be tough. Don't let him get into trouble with his sarcasm."

Yuki, amidst tears, laughed, and nodded.

"And finally," said Seiryu as he turned towards Dairyu. His form started to fade even more. "Be a good father."

"I won't disappoint," said Dairyu. "You taught me a lot about family in just three months."

"Really? How?"

Dairyu then quickly moved and hugged Seiryu, surprising him. Natsumi could see that Dairyu shed a tear, and was holding it in.

"Because you are my son, one that I never had. It's heartbreaking to see you go," said Dairyu. "No father should ever see their child die first."

"Hey, that's not really a case, at least for me," said Seiryu. He then noticed his hand vanishing.

Breaking off his hug with Dairyu, he walked back towards the sea, and, gazing towards his family, smiled and said, "Good-bye, and see you later."

Seiryu's last smile was pure, full of joy and happiness, very unlike his mischievous, untrustworthy, old self, who did not trust anyone. Right before his final death, as he returned to the fifth dimension, he appreciated the last three months of his second chance, as it was enough for the downfall he experienced for many years. He had been redeemed by his family, and for him, it was enough to make peace.

Three months was quite a long time, and he refused to return before he was fully satisfied. It was the right choice, and now, he knew the legacy he had left, before he returned to eternal dreaming, waiting for his family to come and join him.

Dairyu looked at Seiryu's rapidly vanishing body, now letting out a tear from his eye. It was time, and finally, his friend and son could rest in peace.

He then embraced Natsumi, comforting her while Yuki, still crying but calmed enough, walked towards her father and said, "We need...to honor him."

"Yes, you do that, Yuki," said Dairyu. She nodded and walked back into the house, intending to build an altar to honor Seiryu.

Natsumi looked at Dairyu, and said, "It will be lonely from now on. I've never seen him so happy ever since he took that program. I have you to thank, Dairyu, for helping him return to the Seiryu I once knew."

"You are very welcome, Natsu," said Dairyu, caressing her. "He is meeting with his ancestors now, possibly his father."

"How can you tell?"

"I don't know. Not a very religious person myself, and I've seen things," said Dairyu with a smile. "Things couldn't end better."

"I still wonder, Dairyu," said Natsumi. "I've never seen you with your original color. Are you always black scaled?"

Dairyu made a grin, and kissed his wife. The female draconian looked away, embarassed.

"Make a guess," said Dairyu with a wink.

They walked back into their home, and closed the door behind them. They did not see the final apparition of Seiryu, now as a ghost, looking towards them with a smile, before he turned away and finally vanished, crossing over to the afterlife.

Thus, their journey ended, and Dairyu could finally find the rest he needed.