Epilogue

The crystal was no more. It has been a year since the doomsday that was the 16th of the 8th month, year 387. Everything was well and truly over.

But what does August Vin Gardner do now? No more monsters. His country was safe. He was not quite sure what to use his swordsmanship for. He felt useless now. Like he lost his direction in life, his goals.

He saw what he prevented: his friends that died while fighting, those who sustained injuries and went out of commission, the citizens of all the towns—they are now living a life they had wanted. Those who left their families to protect them now can stay and take care of them. His parents were much more free than ever before.

So what does August Vin Gardner want? Starting a family was the only thing that came to his mind. But that had nothing to do with pastimes, passion, hobbies.

He felt oddly empty.

That moment, Heilke came to his head. Could family fill that empty void?

“Heilke.”

“August.”

“I've been feeling quite useless recently,” August innocently while snuggled up to Heilke.

“Not this again,” Heilke said while squeezing his face. “Please don’t feel useless. You are not useless. You helped me save the world.”

“But what now? I have no hobbies, no ‘real’ passions.” August had already succumbed to her touch.

“What accounts as ‘real’ passions?” Heilke asked.

“Something someone enjoys a lot and can see themselves doing it well in the foreseeable future.”

“If so, then isn’t sword your passion?"

“That... I was good at it genetically. And what could I use it for when there’s no threat I need to use it on?”

Heilke caressed August. “You could use it for entertainment purposes. I’ve heard arena duelling is popular recently.”

“Do you really want me to do that?”

“No, I don’t want to see you injured, or getting injured. Especially not when there is a risk of the shard not being powerful enough to help you in time.”

“See?” August said cheekily.

“My opinion on this is not as important as what you want to do. If you want to fight, then you can.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Then, what do you think you want to be passionate about?”

August made an audible sound of thought. “I can only come up with having a family for myself.”

Heilke’s pats slowed, then rested her head on his. Her voice resonated in August’s brain.

“Sure. Let’s start a family. Why not.”

*

“Papa!”

A roughly 125cm child ran up to August with the new but muddied ball toy her mother made. She was blonde, like her father, though her eyes were more like her mother’s.

“Johnathan says he wants a ball to take home too!”

Johnathan was Renée and Francis’ child. He had a warm, reddish brown hue to his hair.

“August!”

It was Heilke carrying the toddler who had the same hair as his mother. August almost could not spot his head with it near Heilke’s hair.

“It’s time for lunch.”

“Coming!” August replied. “Now, let’s go inside to eat,” he said to the children.

On the walk to the dining room, the blonde child would not stop her conversation. August could not understand it, but he felt how talkative she was. Meanwhile, Johnathan would listen and occasionally chip in one or two sentences. Were the ages of children that important in conversation again?

This was evident in his own children as well. His son would cling to his mother and preferred not to talk. Whenever people tried, he would just stare back. The first born would always come up during these times and ask some odd question. She must’ve been looking for attention but did not want to directly ask for it. 

~

"Did you want Papa to give you attention?" August said.

The child's eyes widened. "No!" she said.

August chuckled. Did she not want him to feel burdened?

"It's ok to ask for Papa's attention. In fact, Papa is happy you want me to talk to you."

She fiddled with her fingers and nodded. Then she would quickly brighten and ask for his attention furthermore.

~

August enjoyed his routine. Waking up early to help prepare breakfast, teach his children, work a little, free time with the children. If the question August had was asked to the current August, he would answer he had no regrets, is very happy and passionate. He did find his passion. His family did fill that void.