Epilogue - Odd tales to tell

The sun was almost done peeking out of the horizon when I finally finished cleaning the great mound of dishes in the kitchen sink.

I stared at the impeccable pile of tableware I had meticulously built in hours of work.
All shined to perfection.

The door was flung open.
The plates teetered.

I grabbed the pile like my life depended on it.

A single dish begun his descent towards the ground, I looked in horror unable to let go of the mound and grab it.

An armored gauntlet, however, grasped the dish mid-air.
“Oh, sorry, master Dust.”

“I thought I told you to stop calling me that, Nero.” I said as I tried to ascertain that the pile would not tumble down as soon as I let go of my hold.
“Eh, easy on the grip there paladin… you don’t want our debt to go up again…”
Bell had walked in right after Nero, with a relaxed smile on her face.

“Hey, the kitchen is off-limits for clients you know?” I joked , finally releasing the pile from my embrace. “Yeah, yeah, we just wanted to say goodbye. Turns out we both have business to attend to tomorrow.” Said the warrior queen.

Knowing her, I really didn’t want to guess what that business was.
“Yes, her grace the pope has need of me at her side. I had hoped to stay more, but…”

Wow, he really is a big shot now, I guess…
“Well, hope you had fun then. It sure was fun for me, seeing you guys again...”

A strange silence fell in the room after my words.

After a few seconds, I looked them in the eyes and spoke.
“I know I’m not as you thought I’d be. I know I used to tell tales of courage and superpowers and dragons… I still like to invent new ones from time to time, but that’s all they are to me…”

I breathed a simple sigh of relief in finally spelling out the truth.
“…simple tales. To entertain.”

The two beamed warmly at my words and Nero responded heartily.
“What are you saying, master Dust? You are exactly as I remembered!”

Uh?

“…we like your stories Dust. Never stop telling them.” Said Jezebell with a sweet smile.

Something struck a chord, deep down my soul.
I quickly found myself scratching my eyes as they began to itch something fierce.
I rushed to cover them with the sleeve of my jacket.
If they see them watering, they might misunderstand.

“Don’t get too relaxed, though master Dust. I intend to visit again as soon as I am able.”
Nero continued laughing heartily.

“Yeah, don’t think you’ll be able to get away from the queen of the western wastes too!”
Exclaimed Bell, full of pride.

“Uh? The western wastes and the Crystal Temple are days and days of travel from here, guys.”
They didn’t even respond. They were dead set on coming back.

“Well, guess I’ll have to pour you something when you visit, then.”
They nodded, satisfied with my words, and I accompanied them outside where their legions patiently awaited their return.

“Wait… you’re going now? Without sleeping?”
“Sleep is for the weak.” Said the warrior queen mounting on her mighty salamander.
“A true knight need only his faith to accomplish the impossible.” Said the saint from atop his faithful steed.

“Phew, guys… I really wouldn’t want to work under you.”
The knights whispered agitated at the affront of my joke and the bandits gasped terrified of their queen’s possible response.

But only a hearty laugh escaped the two commanders’ lips.

“Oh, I wouldn’t get too lax yet if I were you, master Dust...”

Uh!?
“Yeah, apparently tonight only the two of us managed to come as promised…”

Wait, what are they…
“…but I guess the others won’t stay put for long.”

What? OTHERS?!!
The two noticed my expression grow perplexed and smiled.

“Oh, you’re just cruel master Dust! Don’t tell me you forgot about the others, too…”
“Yeah, or did you think we were the only ones that played with you back then?”

Wait.

Impossible…
There were other kids too?

Wait, there was someone!
A girl with glasses always reading books, that kid that just wouldn’t shut up…

Don’t tell me they too…
“Oh well, we have to go now. Good luck master Dust! We’ll see each other again…” Nero said while commanding his army to depart.

“If the crossroads’ still standing that is…” Jezebell laughed wickedly while her army roared with her. The ominous tone of her words echoed through my poor brain, rattling my exhausted bones to the core.

What?!
AGAIN?! I’LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS ORDEAL AGAIN?!!

“PLEASE, WAIT?! NEXT TIME I WON’T SURVIVE!! I’M JUST A NORMAL GUY, AFTER ALL!!!”

                         My wails echoed throughout the vale,
                                                       into the warm wind and the gentle morning sky.

                                                                                                                                                        The End?