Warning: Epilogus

Three Days Later:

IV liquid dripped through a tube into veins. Darius stared at the ceiling. Advertisements for eyedrops, burgers, and life insurance played on the television for the one thousandth time. The room was cool and sterile. Officers in black suits stood guard outside the doors. A third sat inside and silently watched.

Television shifted to news about the disaster. Depictions of flooded streets, vehicles filling with water, buildings collapsing, the refinery exploding, and the burning oil slick in the ocean fought for attention with a video of an elderly dragoness hailing a helicopter for rescue from a collapsing apartment building. Then there was the drone footage of a heroic imp saving a young boy. Darius recognized that imp.

Bandages wrapped his head. They encased most of his limbs. It hurt to breath. He tried rolling to get comfortable and found all his limbs chained to a bed that was bolted into the floor. Cameras shifted their gaze around the room.

A control for the television was merged into his hospital bed. The helicopter footage of him being humiliated by the gold boss showed as a blur. But it was over by the time the volume went up. They’d show it again. This same footage would probably be repeated all week.

The prime minister spoke out against him. He never thought he’d be watching calls on the street for his public execution. Would he even survive long enough? His insides felt shattered. He turned the volume up further as a spokesdragon for the Eastern Capital Metropolitan Police Office appeared.

“People of Rising Sun. We grieve with you. A joint investigation has concluded. The first of many. The disaster that struck Eastern Capital on the twentieth of Firius was caused by an artifact smuggled from a Sealing Commission base. The artifact was sold to the perpetrator, Mr. Infernius, who intended to drain the life savings of hard-working dragons for self-enrichment. Unable to pull this off, even with the use several artifacts, Mr. Infernius attacked the guards and destroyed the building in the process.

“The artifacts are currently in joint custody between the Rising Sun Police Agency and the World Artifact Foundation.

“With the failure of the robbery of at Water’s Flow national bank, Mr. Infernius went on a rampage to avoid capture. He sought refuge in a warehouse on Water Mouth Island. He refused to submit peacefully to apprehension. Then proceeded to attack police lines, resulting in the deaths of several brave officers.

“The stressed artifact went berserk due to his influence. It created a tidal wave that almost overwhelmed Eastern Capital. If not for the efforts of the World Government’s Artifacts Foundation, the loss of lives and property would have increased by tenfold.

“We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the World Artifact Foundation. We will provide director Simplicious a moment to speak on their behalf.”

The head of the World Artifact Foundation, a stodgy old dragon who looked to be made the dust, stood behind the podium, “People of Rising Sun, we grieve with you.

“It has long been our mission to prevent the spread and use of unsafe artifacts. This event, terrible as it is, serves as a clarion call for the need of strict artifact supervision. These items are not meant to be in the hands of the general population.

“The Sealing Commission, long struggling for relevance in Rising Sun, has shown a level of corruption or ineptitude beyond our wildest imaginations. With the dangers of artifacts especially clear in our hearts and minds, they must be held accountable. Artifacts discovered should be submitted via proper procedure to your local governments, who will work with the World Artifact Foundation to ensure their safe containment, curing, and disposal. Thank you for your time. That is all. No questions will be allowed at this time.”

Darius pounded the off button on the television, put his head back on the pillow, and went back to an uneasy sleep.

-----

Horrick sat at the desk. His gun and his badges sat on the calendar. The silver maned dragoness folded her fingers and left her muzzle rest on them.

“And just why do you feel the need to resign?”

“I couldn’t do anything. I ran in the face of the tidal wave. I left my drone behind. I barged in on Jorseph. I got him involved without thinking. I failed all my objectives, both stated and unstated. The Sealing Commission would be better off without me.”

“Is this about Avelina going to Fifty Stars with the gold boss?” the silver maned dragon said with a coy smile, “You have a valuable relationship with an artifact wielder. That’s an asset we’d rather not throw away.”

Horrick slumped back in his seat, “You mean Jorseph. Well, at least he doesn’t hate me.”

“We’re a lot more powerful in Fifty Stars. That’s where the majority of our bases are located. With the World Artifact Foundation pressing our organization for acquisition, we need every possible asset. You will be of no use here. We’re abandoning all operations and bases in Rising Sun. The government, and worse, the populace, has become actively hostile. It’s only a matter of time before we’re raided. Negotiating a peaceful exit is the only thing remaining. How is your Brilliance?”

“Pretty good, a bit rusty. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Fifty Stars.”

The dragoness pushed the badges and the gun back, “Resignation refused. Brush up on brilliance. Of course, the relocation of your business assets will come with a substantial compensation. Plus, you’ll still have a chance to win Avelina.”

Horrick shifted in his chair to grab his items, “I don’t know what chance a dragon like me has against the gold boss. But if you’re giving me a shot, I’m going to take it.”

“I heard you’re helping Avelina with the move. How’s Jorseph doing?”

“He’s healthy. He won’t talk to anyone about what happened. Even his mother says he won’t tell her anything about Lilly. He’ll talk about anything else, but he seems distant. And nervous about the move. He doesn’t want to go.”

“Maybe he’ll take it better when he finds out you’re going.”

“He’s going to be suspicious. Jorseph isn’t as dumb as he usually acts. This is going to be a fun time for sure.”

“Well, we’re counting on you to make it work. Get information. Protect Jorseph. If you can infiltrate the World Artifact Foundation, that would be icing on the cake.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

-----

The nameplate on the desk said: Gold Stormchaser in black letters etched into gold. He leaned back on in his big comfy office chair with his tail hanging about. The staff topped with the violet orb rested across the front of his desk.

Grabby stacked the various other artifacts from his library on a display shelf with glass doors.

Gold tapped his arm rest, “You’re one of the biggest heroes in Rising Sun now. You should be watching more television. The coverage we arranged for you is epic. I’ve never seen such heartwarming puff pieces.”

Grabby chuckled as his eyelid curled, “If I watch too much more, my eye will get swollen and I won’t be able to see. A ha haha ha ha! Besides, I’m more than happy to simply take care of my library and be left alone. No more artifacts, no more human hunting, just me and my books.”

The gold boss rose from his chair, picked up the rod, and pressed it into Grabby’s back, “Who said anything about stopping the hunt. You owe me imp. I’m going to be expecting a steady flow of artifacts. I’ll be assigning a liaison to your library to help hold you to account.”

“Fidglesticks!” Grabby stiffened his posture as he wiped sweat from his upper brow, “I mean, yes sir. How many artifacts will you be requiring.”

“One a week. I’ll be generous enough to allow for a failure rate of seventy percent so long as the artifacts are produced. Do you understand?”

“Y-yes sir! I understand.”

Gold sighed, “It’s unfortunate we let the spellbook destroy itself. The remains show no signs of mana compression. A great artifact has been neutralized. Don’t think I’m not holding you accountable for your part in that. There was no need to have the spellbook involved. If it had found her friend sooner, I hesitate to think of what would have happened.”

“Y-yes sir,” Grabby deflated.

A call came through with an alert on his desk. Gold picked up an old-style rotary phone receiver and listened. His eyes narrowed.

Grabby hid behind a decorative Victorian style sofa.

Gold’s expression soured as he glared at the imp, “What do you mean vanished? I have a search expert on hand. Put all staff on alert. I want every inch of the facility searched for those artifact pieces.”

The receiver slammed back on the base, “Join the search for those remains.”

Grabby trembled as his claw opened a path to the liminal library, “Y-yes sir! Right away sir.”