Epilogue

Their continued pursuit of the strange artifact known as The Heart, the crews of Nightwing and Se'nika, and their Vey'ani guide, Rissanivi, had led them to meet races that had quite likely given rise to stories of legendary beings on many worlds. From mighty metalsmiths who forged weapons with seemingly magical powers that were used in the fight against the forces of Darkness and the heroic Guardians of Light who wielded them; to ancient shy and elusive forest beings with abilities beyond the understanding of the Younger Races; and to immortal dragon-like beings who kept watch across the vast dark places between stars.

After being among immortals, their visit to the planet known as Fren'a served as a reminder of their own mortality. It also served as a warning against arrogance--better to achieve perfection through thought and deed, than to force Nature into preconceived notions of stylized form over function.

Perhaps the most shocking for those onboard Nightwing, was having a recent adversary--a R'Hinsi female--inexplicably thrust into their midst. For those amongst the crew who had fought in the R'Hinsa Campaign, it was the first time they had come face-to-face with one of their former enemy, who had a reputation of being ruthless and merciless in the war. When they saw the brutal interrogation technique being forced upon the R'Hinsi female who had done nothing to them personally, their compassion and respect for life made them to take a stand and put their lives on the line to protect the innocent--even if it was a R'Hinsi. Later it was learned that the brother of Communications Technician, Lower Grade, Khel'zet Harankhek--the R'Hinsi prisoner they rescued--had served at a gun post on the planet called Chandor-IV, at the site of the intense battle in Demon's Canyon. Tensions flared and emotions ran deep, though heeding the wisdom of the Great Lupin, Char'ena, paved the way for reconciliation: "Let past stay in past." Mindy--who had been gravely wounded on Chandor-IV, and Khel'zet--who had lost her brother in the same battle, embraced and vowed to live up to the worthy ideal of "here you will find only love and acceptance."

Meeting three apparently human individuals who claimed to be from what was thought as a fictional world, proved to be a revelation. They had provided proof that Shauna's brother, Cameron, had made it out at least as far as Fren'a, which was on the way to the nebula known as Thor's Helmet. The three Y'Nahrans had, at Char'ena's request, found Rissanivi's long-time friend on Esba'in Station and played a message he had recorded. Although short, it provided some news as to what had happened. They had another message which they played--one that proved to be the most shocking so far, particularly to Lilly and her cousin John. Meri, the beautiful Skunatii female from a story written by their ancestor over five hundred years before, was not only real and alive, but was also the "donor" of genetic material that would be used to create the skunk G.E.L.F.s on Terra in the late twentieth century. She was, in essence, their progenitor--their ultimate grandmother.

The Trail of Legends, as it would be called years later, provided insights and clues to the nature of the universe, life, and of what might be beyond.

More would be in store for the crews of Nightwing and Se'nika; for Rissanivi and the Fansq girls, Elí and Meyleh; for Khel'zet and Erlanna, in the days ahead. The Heart was not done with them yet, for the ultimate test of heart lay ahead...

(Author's Note: the above picture of Naoia -- in black and white -- goes here in book)

...and Naoia will be with them.

The journey continues in "Daggers of Darkness #4: An Unexpected Discovery"