Chapter 22 - Epilogue

Several years had passed. All previous technology from the Elysian world had ceased functioning and the world was recovering from the state of chaos it was in once Eric destroyed the Elysium barrier. The NAK and the UF had broken down into separate countries. The first ones to reestablish themselves were The United States, Russia, China, Japan, and The United Kingdom. Several other countries were fighting to get their previous land back as descendants of those original nationalities wished to keep their old-world legacy alive.

Iris, Laura and Alice had stayed inside Japan, working with the remaining eastern forces of the United Front to serve and volunteer in community service. The three were mainly in charge of cooking and securing foods for everyone and ensuring that everything was rationed and preserved properly. Laura used her vast knowledge to work with other researchers and scientists to develop basic appliances. The first couple years of a technology free world caused millions of people to lose their lives to starvation with winters being especially harsh to survive.

The years after that were easier as old-world electricity had been recreated from surviving paper documents that Iris managed to discover inside an old UF facility when searching for rations and other useful left-over tools. By the time the world stabilized into a survivable state, nearly a decade and a half had passed. The three girls lived together inside a small apartment. They each worked for the new Japanese government, having spent multiple years proving, to at least new Japan, that Elysium would have ended the world eventually. This was accomplished only because Iris had also managed to find a locker full of Whitlock’s old documents from before World War 2. While still considered enemy to the world by most other countries who even knew about what removed the Elysium barrier, the three were regarded as heroes to those that believed their story.

***

“So, Eric. Do you feel you did the right thing?”

“I don’t know. I know I saved the Earth from a fiery death, but....”

“But you feel you abandoned those you loved.”

“Yeah.”

“While I’m sure they were upset with you at the time, especially that red-headed one, I believe once it all passes, they’ll understand there was no other way. ”

“I sure they will. I just wish I got to say goodbye properly. To hold them, one last time.”

“You got tell the one you loved how you felt though, right?”

“I hope so. I don’t know how much got through to them. I just hope they end up with a happy, long life.”

“I’m sure they will. For your sake.”

***

Alice, Iris, and Laura were all out having coffee at a cafe. Iris and Laura were playing a board game that was made out of wood and Alice was reading a printed newspaper. On the back of it displayed a headline stating that the first new computer was being tested.

“Oh! Computers! They’re making computers again!” Laura exclaimed.

“What do you mean, weren’t you helping with the development for that?” Iris said, knocking over a wood character in the board.

“Just a processor, this means they have everything else finished, too. I’m so excited!”

“You always sound so different when not talking in monotone. Stop being excited about things, I don’t like normal voice you.”

“Eric always called me robo-voice. I tried to change it for him.”

“Nah, he probably thought it was cute.” Iris said, knocking another block over.

“What do you think Eric would say about the new world he left if he were here?” Laura asked, picking up her mug, speaking in a monotone again.

“He’d probably be upset all his naughty videos are gone.” Iris said, smirking.

“But video is back, so he could make a whole new collection.”

“Not for his fetishes...”

“Or ours.” Laura stated, taking a sip of her latte.

Iris’ face turned red. “Right, I forgot that happened.”

Alice stared up at the sky, basking in the suns ray and the cool breeze.

“I think he’d be just fine here. He’d be just as clueless about how we feel and we’d love him for it all the same.” Alice finally chimed in. “For the now though, the sun shining on us is his eternal gift to us. And that ring in your eye you get when you stare directly at the sun, I can’t think of a better wedding ring.”

Laura and Iris turned to Alice, scowls on their faces.

“Don’t push it!” they both exclaimed.

Alice just giggled and smiled at them before looking back up at the beautiful morning sky.