Epilogue ~ Beautiful City

Before the final battle, Hope had a conversation with Chase that she wanted to be sure to follow up on.

“If we bring this to an end, then my son will have a normal life free from this curse. His demon blood won’t awaken and he won’t get my memories. He can live as he wants. Nothing could make me happier.”

“He was born a few years ago, right? Where does he live?”

“He’s in a city you’re very familiar with; Philadelphia. His name is- - -”

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Despite giving a vague answer before leaving, Hope asked Lucas to help her narrow the desired location. Using the child’s full name, they were able to figure out he attends an elementary school in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. This is most likely where they reside as well.

It only took a few days until she spotted them at a local playground. A woman with short hair is holding hands with a child that looks to be no more than 6 years old. Sporting brown hair and blue eyes, Hope immediately sees the resemblance, but doesn’t approach right away.

Then the child turns around and runs up to her.

“Wow cool sword!” he shouts, commenting on the sheathed blade at her side, leaving Hope shocked.

“I’m so sorry about that. Once he sees something interesting he immediately runs off. It’s exhausting.” His mother complains as she catches up with him.

“It’s alright.” Hope says, attempting to hide her shock.

“But mommy, look at the sword!!”

The woman observes Hope, but is puzzled, “What are you talking about? She has nothing of the sort.” She then lightly karate chops her son’s head, “Don’t try to get people in trouble.”

The young boy runs off to play with other children at the swings, leaving his mother to sigh. Hope is relieved. For a minute, she feared the sword’s effects wore off or something like that, but it seems that this young boy also has some ‘potential’. She laughs to herself, Of course he does. Not that it matters anymore.

“I could use some of that energy.” The mom complains.

“He seems like a good kid.” Hope says.

“Sometimes.” The woman turns to the stranger, “His name is Jayce, and mine is Claire. Sorry again about my son.”

“It’s fine.” she says with a chuckle, “I’m Hope, it’s nice to meet you.”

The newly acquainted women take a seat on a bench that gives them a perfect view of the playground. It’s a part of Rittenhouse Square park which is basically a large patch of grass surrounded by high rise residential and office buildings.

Hope takes in the fresh breeze and her joy grows. She visited the city many times, but this is the first she felt so relaxed. Hope never truly lost her love for the city. For a while, the weight of her mission, her revenge, took the main focus. She’s glad to have made it past that point.

“I’ve never seen you in the area before. Did you just move here?” Claire asks.

“I was considering it. I like to travel and always find myself back here.”

“My husband said something similar. I was apprehensive about moving here, despite how successful the reform was, but he insisted.” She then watches her son with a somber expression, “I think he’s gone now, though.”

Hope is surprised, “You mean your husband?”

Claire nods. She explains that a few months ago, she received notification that a bank account had been opened in her son’s name, with her as the holder until he is of age. It contains just over half a million dollars.

She initially thought it was a mistake or possibly a wire transfer scheme, but then noticed who opened the account, Chase Kahler. Before leaving, he told Claire she would be alerted of his passing in some way. She can only assume this is it.

“When I met Chase a few years before our son was born, he warned me various times that he wouldn’t be able to stay for long. I told him it didn’t matter. That I wanted to spend my days with him, no matter how short they may be. It’s silly, isn’t it? To fall in love so easily.”

“Not at all.” Hope says without hesitation, “I’m the same as you.”

She spent just over a month with Andres before he was taken from her, and still treasures every moment. Hope wasn’t warned more than minutes ahead of time, but can understand the strong emotions as well as the appreciation that follows.

The two continue discussing the men they love, exchanging amusing stories they keep close to their heart. They’re quick to realize the similarities in regards to how awkward they were when displaying affection. Though Hope’s favorite has to be when it came to naming Jayce.

“He didn’t approve of the name I chose saying it was too identical to his own, but then I defeated him with ‘after you leave I’ll just change it anyway’. ” She says with a harrumph, crossing her arms just as she did when speaking with Chase.

Hope couldn’t help thinking the first half of the name had something to do with how Chase treated Lucas, at least in the beginning. Hearing something so similar may have brought out the father he was never able to be. She feels comforted by that thought.

Hope and Claire talk for many hours until Hope decides to leave, remembering another task she has yet to complete.

“It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you around.”

“Likewise.” Hope turns to the park and shouts, “Goodbye, Jayce!!”

The young boy jumps up and down, waving both arms in the air, “Bye sword lady!!”

I guess that’s my new name. Hope thinks to herself before walking away, not finding any reason to argue against that.

She only intended to greet the two, but wound up having a lot of fun conversations and found it difficult to stop. However, there’s one other reason she came here.

Using her superspeed, Hope runs through the city, avoiding any cars or people who may be in the way. Even months after the ritual was stopped, their abilities still remain, making the group believe they’ll have them forever. She hasn’t used it since that battle, and plans to never again once this final task is complete.

In Northern Philly, on the rooftop of the Edgewater Apartments, Hope looks over the ledge to the Delaware River. Not only has it grown in size, but the tide is just as ferocious as it was long ago on that dark evening.

Hope holds the sword and closes her eyes, remembering the words that brought her here.

“Wow~ that’s quite the drop.” … “If you threw it into the river, then it’s sure to wash out to sea.”

Memories from the past flash in her mind. Her best friends, new school, the life-long mission that was handed to her. Out of everything she experienced, the good, the bad, the traumatic, there’s not one thing she would change. Even now, she feels the utmost amount of satisfaction.

With a grin, she tosses the sword high above and opens her eyes to watch the water splash, swallowing the mysterious weapon. It became one of their greatest assets and has now served its purpose. There’s no reason to keep it around any longer. This is the last thing she needed to do before starting her new life.

“What should I do now?” Hope wonders aloud.

Her time is no longer limitless. She can only look toward the future and make the most of everything before her.