Wind of Change Epilogue
#47 of Wind of Change
The Reunion
It was summer in the lands of the Oriental draconians, and life went on, with its ups and downs to everyone. Schools out, and children played in beaches and young adults going on a space trip to planets beyond the Sol System, to see what beyond their home planet, and to find new experiences. The galaxy may had been charted, but not everyone was satisfied until they could see what was documented with their own eyes and bodies.
A person traveled far from the planets of the aquatic Aqura, the shark-like feathered aliens with cross-shaped pupils, one of their unique characteristics (and somehow considered very sexy to some who were interested). He was old, but not as old as most would think, at least in Terran term. An Aquros lived almost twice the lives of a human, and had roughly the same life expectancy as a draconian. However, he was young when he started his journey, and his companion was already old.
Even so, he was accompanied by a young Aquros in this journey, his son, who was being groomed to help take over his business when he was ready. He was the old Aquros's eldest son, who chose to be with his father despite of having a choice to be anything he wanted, while his younger brother and sister chose their own path. One joined the Federation, while the other chose to be an engineer.
The old Aquros was not the only one who came to Terra with a reason. Another, an old Scylla with cybernetic prosthetic arm, also touched down nearby, followed by his son, a royalty, by the looks of it, given his garb and personal guards. He was accompanied by the now adult Aquros, who was his lover from another planet.
The old Aquros walked towards the old Scylla and hugged each other, as they were old friends. It was quite a reunion, and curiously, despite their status, there were no other people watching. It was for the best. They did not like attracting too many attentions.
"Capisa, old friend," said the old Scylla. "You gained weight."
"And you are as young as ever, Let," said Capisa with a smile. He then turned towards his son. "So. Your majesty."
The young Scylla nodded as Capisa nodded. He then said, "Oh, no. Just call me Calventis, Capisa. We are friends, right?"
"Comrades in arms, and best of friends." They then smiled and hugged each other, patting each other's backs as they did so.
"So," Capisa said. "We are all here now, then? Shall we go?"
They walked to a nearby limousine, which was prepared by their guest.
Along the way, they talked and reminisce on their old adventures. Everyone continued their post-crisis lives, and had found peace in their own ways. Renziletis had retired from his position as a Kaf'rak to be the head of the Royal Engineering team while his son, Calventis, ruled his father's chiefdom with his husband and advisor, Dajar. The union produced a healthy relationship between the two races, and was also influential in Capisa's business expansion, one that he would inherit to his son one day.
Their travel was brief, and they finally reached the seaside home, the house of their old friend, and the one who changed their lives forever. They were greeted at the front door by none other than Xsatuki, who was their friend's butler.
"Hello, there," said Xsatuki. "The party's just started. They are waiting for you."
"Getting longer, Xsatuki?" asked Capisa.
"I try not to. If it is, you won't have a space when I move," said Xsatuki with a happy hiss. "Come. Follow me."
The house was not large, yet the lawn was. It was quite an anniversary party, with the barbeque pit being the centerpiece of the party. There were many people, mostly young, partying and dancing without concern. Yet, the group's attention was at the small circle of friends, especially a familiar black-scaled Orient draconian who was toasting with a fading green-scaled Western draconian, and a white wolf that was sitting near them and seemed to be talking.
The old black Orient noticed them and said, "Hey! You're late!"
"Takes a while to travel with Warp speed 12, you know," said Capisa. He then approached Dairyu and shook his hands. "And I can see that you haven't lost your youthful strength."
"Oh, I've got a pacemaker now," said Dairyu. "Heart's not as it used to be."
"Let's hope it won't fail sooner or later."
They all laughed.
"Come on now, Capisa," said the green-scaled draconian. "You can't expect Dairyu Tsukasa to just drop dead that easily, right? He's a hardy son of a bitch, I tell you!"
"And you clearly have a lot of grandchildren to take care of," said the wolf.
"And what a surprise to see Rose here, too," said Calventis towards the white-furred wolf. "How's the Eternal business?"
"Ah, you know what we always do," said Rose. "It's not like me going to this anniversary party going to affect life, right? Being the patron goddess of wolves is kind of boring if no one's worshipping you anymore."
"True, that." Let then noticed the ship that was Dairyu's, the Wind of Change. It was still the same as it was 25 years ago, but it was no longer space-worthy. It went past its time, and was rightfully retired. Everyone looked at it and reminisced of their time on the ship.
"She's a fine ship, isn't she? You take care of him nicely," said Let.
"Always," said Dairyu. "She saved our lives so many times already. This is the best I can do to her. And...let's not forget him."
"Oh, right," said Capisa, his face turned solemn. "It's a shame Rendloks don't like that long."
"But his legacy will continue, for the future of his race," said Dairyu. "Atho will always be in our memories."
"Hey, the gang's all here," said a female voice. "Dad, come on!"
"Oh, is it? Then come on. Let's take a photo."
Yuki, his ice draconian daughter, was carrying a vintage digital camera. She liked collecting antiques, some already centuries old, and liked to use them. She said it had aesthetics, and it was not a wonder, for she was a writer with her first screenplay gig in the works of being turned into an interactive movie, with everyone in the party getting free copies. She may be far from being an award-winning writer, but at least she was popular enough among the young.
They all took their position, and as Yuki said, "Now, say cheese!" they all said the phrase, and the shutter clicked. She then quickly worked on it. A couple of minutes later, there were already copies for everyone, including one for the Tsukasa family.
It was there where they found not one, but two oddities in the picture. The land of the Orients was a very mystical land, with supernatural events being a common thing. It may had been explained to be improperly closed tears, open wounds of the universe that was still open, yet not dangerous enough to be a concern. The picture had more people in it that it should, as if it captured spirits.
They were not simple wandering spirits, however. Dairyu could see Seiryu, his stepson and friend, smiling beside him, and Atho, their deceased friend, standing beside Let, unmistakable due to his giant ant form. Both returned from the land of the dead for the reunion of the crew of both the_Azure_ and the Wind of Change, survivors of two Crises that changed the universe forever.
Dairyu looked at the picture, and after a slight pause, smiled as he looked at his friends.
"Everyone's here," he said, while looking towards his friends and comrades. A grin of satisfaction started forming on his face as his friends and comrades looked towards him. He could also see Seiryu and Atho, not aged for one bit, looking at him with a content smile. It was such a great day for him, the crew, and everyone involved. Then, he uttered something that marked the full circle of his journey.
"In the end, we are all here."
END