Chapter 57: A New Beginning

The reality of Alirion's end takes a while to sink in amongst the fairies of the four realms. After so many years of fear and uncertainty, the fairies tend to expect that Alirion would come back from his final death with stronger dark magic than ever.
However, in the passing of days, the fairies of the realms begin to breathe easier. Finally, peace is achieved.
The first act of the Kings and Queens of the four fairy realms is to pardon the creatures who did not participate in the battle at the Dark Mountains. The Kings and Queens of the Four Realms allowed them to return to the Fairy Kingdom. As for the orcs, ogres and giants, they were all left to forever reside beyond the Dark Mountains. Crossing over is punishable by death.
The Kings and Queens use their combined magical elements to cast a protective barrier between the Dark Mountains and the Four Realms to ensure the safety and peace incase the banned creatures attempt to start a war once more.
This act serves as a symbol of a new beginning in the fairy land.
Another gathering takes place in the Azure to honor the fallen fairies from the battle. Each fairy makes a silent wish that this would be the last of such kind of gatherings involving untimely deaths of a fairy kin.
The ceremony is subdued since death is always a permanent one that all fairies never wish for their kin. Queen Aine leads the ceremony.
"This is a sad day for us but a new beginning at the same time."
The Queen pauses a while to look around her, at each and every fairy present. She would like to make sure that she can put to memory each of her kin. She is after all the eldest here. She has seen a lot of battles that brought sorrow to their lands.
"We honor our fairy kin who fought bravely in this battle with the Dark fairy. May we always keep in our memory the lives they sacrificed to gain peace in our lands once again."
"May this battle serve as a reminder that when we are united, we endure. But when we are divided, we shall fail."
The bodies of the fallen fairies are on separate pyres. The pyres are lit and set to float on the Azure River. All the fairies bow their heads to say a short chant to send of their kin.
After watching the pyres burn, the fairies begin to leave one by one in silence.
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Mark and Olivia Daniels are chatting animatedly with Reed and Rose Rivers in our corner of Sally's Diner. They are waiting for their lunch orders to arrive. Every once in a while Harry joins in their conversation as he passes by serving food to other diners.
On a nearby table, Caspian, Anna, Jo and Bran are seated with their own conversation on past events in the fairy realm. No one seems to pay attention them nor hear them for Sally's is as busy as ever with people chatting loudly nonstop.
"I think it's really cool how Anna saved your ass too Caspian. I have always known she is not a damsel in distress, not even in fairly land."
Jo teases Caspian.
"But I'm glad you're both alright. That's something really serious even here in my world."
Jo adds a bit seriously.
"You were brave too Jo... handling yourself and all."
Bran exclaims cheerfully. He is really impressed with this human girl. She takes all these supernatural stuff quite levelheadedly.
Jo just smiles at Bran. She is not used to praises from the opposite sex.
Caspian and Anna look at each other meaningfully. Somehow, they have had enough of talking about the things that happened in the fairy realm. They are just content to be back here, in the human world for some normalcy.
After a while, Roger brings their order of milkshakes with a bright smile on his face.
"Hi Anna! Good to see you again. Hey Caspian, I hope everything is well in the valley. Jo welcome back!"
Roger greets everyone with a smile.
"Hi Roger how are you? It's really nice of you to help out your Dad here. I think I will be staying for good this time. This is Bran by the way."
Jo replies enthusiastically as she introduces Bran.
"Hey there!"
Roger greets Bran too.
"Nice to meet you. I was at the valley too, remember?"
Bran says.
"Oh yeah. Well, see you around. "
Roger makes a saluting gesture with his hand and turns to go back to work.
"I can see how he seems to be intimidating. Really a nice guy."
Bran turns to Caspian who appears disinterested for the first time.
"Are you alright?"
Bran inquires looking worried for both Caspian and Anna.
"We are fine. I think I could speak for both of us that it's a bit emotionally tiring having to worry about what would happen every time we get back to our realm."
Caspian replies.
"I feel guilty that I am not even sad with the passing of my uncle."
Caspian confesses further.
"It is okay Caspian. You don't have to force yourself to feel anything about him. You barely knew him."
The Princess couldn't help but intervene. She understands how confusing the past events could be especially for Caspian. He was ready to forgive his uncle but it seems it was not enough. His uncle made the wrong choice in the end.
"Hey, this milkshake is really awesome!"
Bran blurts out changing the serious atmosphere.
The four of them ends up laughing.
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Later in the evening, after Caspian and Bran have gone back to the Green Haven and Jo's parents has left, Anna and Jo sits arm to arm on Anna's bed. Jo is able to convince her parents that she prefers to sleep over yet again in her best friend's house.
"Hey Anna, are you sure you're really alright?"
Jo asks with a very serious tone.
"Why wouldn't I be okay? Everything worked out well in the fairy realm. Also, I have my human family and my fairy family. Best of all, my bestest friend is right here with me."
Anna enumerates all these facts as if she is counting each as a blessing.
"It's true, nothing else matters."
Anna adds to convince Jo.
"Oh yeah, and best of all, we are going to a fairy wedding!"
Anna reminds her best friend excitedly.