Epilogue

A/N: Temporary Epilogue.

It'll probably transition to an Interlude when I finish editing/re-writing Book 4. I'm going to add a lot more to the first half and shift the pacing a bit. The book will probably officially end after she escapes from the rift, though nothing of real substance will change. I'll be sure to share the changes before the book is pulled for publication.

“So it begins,” Arbiter Eskin said with a sigh from behind the privacy shield separating the council members from the Pinnacles and peak-tier elites that had been summoned.

“The pressure is growing stronger,” Councilor Farrah commented. Her red robes blended in almost seamlessly with her scales.

The drakin had been his right hand on the Council for several hundred years – a feat she’d only managed because of rejuvenation treatments allowing her to extend her life. While drakin were naturally long-lived, she has long surpassed her race’s normal life expectancy.

Several of the other council members were also showing signs of discomfort from the very real manifestation of pressure the realm was now exerting. The pressure on Pinnacles to ascend seemed to be focusing on those who’d extended their natural lives beyond what was normal.

Unfortunately, that was a large proportion of their number. Only the newest few councilors seemed to be free from the strain.

In truth, even that was inaccurate. Every Pinnacle he’d talked to had reported a metaphysical force pushing them to ascend. It was just that those who’d extended their life span felt the push far more significantly.

It was obvious what the system wanted – what the realm guardian wanted.

Arbiter Eskin shook his head at the thought. He never would have guessed something like this would have happened in his lifetime.

The realm guardian hadn’t communicated with anyone as far as he knew since the Council’s inception.

“There may be a way around it,” Councilor Lance said, drawing the attention of every council member in the room.

There was a sudden clamor as several individuals asked the man to elaborate.

“Henlen Kairos reported no sense of pressure to ascend,” Councilor Lance informed the gathered powerhouses. “He suggested it might have to do with his system-enforced contract requiring he ascend within a specified timeframe… though I suppose his affinity could have something to do with it.”

The last part was added begrudgingly, though it was clear he was hoping his brother-in-law’s affinity had nothing to do with it.

“Has this been tested?”

“Are other Pinnacle Time Mages experiencing the same thing?”

Several other questions rang out in quick succession, though they were all along a similar theme.

“At least one of the other Pinnacle Time Mages is also suffering from pressure to ascend, so it is unlikely that his affinity is to blame,” Councilor Vie interjected.

Councilor Lance’s shoulders slumped in relief at his fellow council member’s comment, while the other councilors seemed energized by the news.

“This needs to be tested before we brief our guests,” Councilor Fabian, the elderly gnome crafter, pointed out, cutting through the sudden noise. “I’m willing to be the first to test the theory since I doubt I’ll be able to remain much longer without some kind of intervention.”

“I’m willing to test the theory as well,” Councilor Lance said before glancing at his wife outside of the privacy barrier. “We know what Kairos’s contract entailed, but there may be more to it than a simple promise to ascend within a certain timeframe.”

There were several nods at his comment, though nobody else was eager to raise their hands and volunteer.

“Well, we need to get to it if we don’t want a bunch of rowdy elites and Pinnacles causing trouble,” the often-grumpy Councilor Tobi barked.

The dwarf rarely spoke, but when he did, his fellow council members tended to listen.

Councilor Fabian withdrew a tablet from his storage and cleared his throat. “Okay, I’ll make the same contract as the Time Mage, promising to ascend in one hundred years. Quite frankly, I’ll be lucky to hold on that long, even without the realm forcing my hand.”

“There needs to be some sort of exchange,” Councilor Farrah pointed out. “He didn’t just promise out of the blue.”

“Well, what can I promise? To support the war?” the gnome asked blankly. “Maybe I can add in a quota of manatech or something?”

“It’s something you would do anyway, but it’s worth a try,” Councilor Farrah said with a shrug.

“Who is going to be the counter-signatory for the contract?” someone asked, causing the gathered Pinnacles to look around the room.

“As the Arbiter, that would probably fall to me,” Arbiter Eskin stated after a moment passed without anyone volunteering.

It didn’t take long for the two councilors to review the simple contract and sign it with their unique mana signatures. The results were immediate.

“Ahhh, it seems the realm didn’t like that,” Councilor Fabian grunted as he started removing the many glittering artifacts adorning his body. His skin had already begun to glow – a sign of imminent ascension.

The Arbiter, on the other hand, showed no signs of illumination.

“At least the realm isn’t taking you both,” Councilor Farrah said with a relieved sigh before sending a conciliatory glance toward the gnome.

“No,” the Arbiter said. “But the pressure to ascend has increased.”

His eyes turned to the ascending gnome.

After handing off the majority of his items and giving instructions on who to pass them to, Councilor Fabian wished his fellow councilors well in their upcoming war and stopped fighting the pull to ascend.

He disappeared in a flash of light, leaving the rest of the group sitting in awkward silence.

“Does anyone else have an idea?” Arbiter Eskin asked a few tense moments later.

“I still want to try,” Councilor Lance said as he removed his own tablet. “I planned to make a contract with Anya that she would progress with haste, and we’d ascend within a week of her becoming eligible.”

“Why?” Councilor Elizabeth asked with a tone of near alarm. “She’s our Oracle. Why would you force her to ascend so quickly?”

“She’s my wife,” Councilor Lance snapped. “We’ve always planned to ascend together. It is not your place to interfere.”

Councilor Elizabeth seemed ready to argue the point anyway, but Arbiter Eskin silenced the group with a gesture. He looked at Councilor Lance and sighed.

“Since the Oracle isn’t at risk for ascending anytime soon, I don’t see a problem trying it. Besides—” he looked at the gathered councilors with a tight expression “—it’s likely most of us will have been forced to ascend long before Anya reaches the Pinnacle.”

“And what of those of us who are left?” asked Councilor Hethrew, one of the younger council members.

“There are other Fate Mages,” Councilor Lance pointed out.

“None as capable as your wife,” Councilor Hethrew rebutted. “She has proven herself far more capable than the majority of her counterparts.”

“So, just find one of the few who come close enough.” Councilor Lance waved his hand in dismissal. “I’m not debating this with you, or anyone. This is something Anya and I planned to do as soon as we heard it might be possible.”

“Well, there’s no time like the present,” Councilor Farrah chimed in, preventing the conversation from spiraling into another argument. “I, for one, would like to know if your attempt works. I’m sure a few others here feel the same way,” she added, looking pointedly at the oldest of the gathered council members.

Councilor Lance immediately stepped outside the barrier and beckoned for his wife to join them.

He made a quick statement informing the gathered peak-tiers that they’d be starting the meeting shortly, then ducked back inside the barrier.

As soon as she saw the empty seat, Anya tsked. “The realm is blocking my Sight.”

“So, you don’t know if it’ll work?” someone asked.

Anya shook her head. “No. For once, I am just as uncertain as everyone else. I can’t say I enjoy this feeling very much.” Her eyes met her husband’s. “Are you sure you want to risk it?”

“I don’t have much of a choice,” Councilor Lance replied. “I have days, at best, before the pull grows too strong.”

Anya stared into her husband’s eyes for several seconds before finally giving him a resolute nod.

“Let’s do it, then.”

The contract was drafted just as Councilor Lance had described. Anya agreed to focus on reaching the Pinnacle with haste, at which point she would ascend with her husband. Everyone held their breath as the couple signed the contract.

With a pulse of mana, the contract was finalized.

“That’s it?” Councilor Farrah asked. “Did it work?”

Councilor Lance took a moment to assess himself. “I think so. The pressure to ascend has diminished significantly already.”

He barely caught his wife as she threw herself into his arms. They normally wouldn’t engage in public displays of affection, especially in front of council members, but neither one of them cared very much about propriety at that moment.

Arbiter Eskin cleared his throat. “Well, we know at least one method works. I think it’s time we shared our findings and our plans moving forward with our guests. We have a war brewing, and there is little time to waste.”