The Author's POV

Epilogue — Effort's never betray you [3]

[Ashton City Community Orphanage]

In the small, sunlit courtyard of the orphanage, laughter filled the air as a young woman, with her short tousled brown hair, engaged in a lively game with the children.

"Don't get too far, Ricky. Come back here!"

The weather was perfect, with a gentle breeze swaying the colourful flowers in the garden and the sound of birds chirping, adding to the joyful ambience.

Emma crouched down, her eyes sparkling with warmth and kindness, as a group of children eagerly surrounded her. Their faces were painted with wide smiles, their eyes alive with anticipation.

She held a worn-out skipping rope; one end gripped firmly in her hand while the other dangled freely.

"Okay, who's up for a skipping challenge?"

Emma called out, her voice filled with playful enthusiasm.

"Me! Me! I want, I want!"

The children responded with an excited chorus of cheers and raised hands, vying for their turn to join in the fun. Emma's eyes crinkled at the corners as she carefully selected the first participant.

"Okay, let's go with Jane."

"Yay!"

A little girl dressed in faded overalls and pigtails stepped forward, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Make sure you hold the rope on both ends. Don't swing your arms too much but flick your wrists."

Emma handed her the skipping rope, showing her how to hold it and offering words of encouragement.

"Hmm... okay."

"Yes, that's good!"

As Jane hesitantly began to jump, Emma clapped her hands rhythmically, chanting a catchy rhyme to accompany the skipping. The other children gathered in a semi-circle, clapping and cheering for their friend, creating an atmosphere of unity and support.

Soon, other children took their turns; each one cheered on by their fellow playmates.

"Make sure to jump in rhythm! So long as you follow the rhythm, it'll become easier for everyone!"

Emma effortlessly morphed into a mentor, showing patience and understanding and guiding them through the simple but delightful game.

Some children jumped gracefully, their feet barely touching the ground, while others struggled with coordination, resulting in giggles and laughter. It didn't matter—Emma celebrated every attempt, creating an environment where mistakes were seen as stepping stones to improvement.

As the game progressed, the children grew more comfortable, their inhibitions melting away under Emma's reassuring presence.

They skipped with increased confidence, their smiles widening as they discovered their hidden abilities. Emma, ever watchful, offered encouragement, praising their efforts and reminding them that their joy was the ultimate goal.

"Yes, that's very good."

"That's an improvement from your previous attempt. Good job Jason!"

Time seemed to pass like that, and before she knew it, the sun cast long shadows across the courtyard as the game neared its end. The children, now breathless and rosy-cheeked, gathered around Emma, their eyes shining with gratitude.

'It's all worth it.'

Staring at their smiles, Emma felt herself choke up with emotion even though she didn't show it.

She wasn't doing all of this for them. She was doing it for herself as well. She felt as much gratitude towards them as they felt towards her.

"Have you all had fun?"

Emma asked, staring at the children with a simple smile on her face.

"Yes."

They all replied in unison, their breath a little heavy. Emma's smile grew softer when she saw this and turned to face the orphanage behind her.

It bore no resemblance to its state a year prior when she had arrived. Instead of the chapel that once occupied that spot and had crumbled, a spacious, contemporary white structure now took its place.

In it were state-of-the-art facilities that she had spent a lot of money on. From cinemas to dedicated rooms for each individual child, the facility had everything necessary to bring joy to the children.

'While it won't make up for what my father did... At the very least, it's a start.'

Indeed, this very chapel was something that she had come to learn from Ren. Even after a year had elapsed since the war, she still found it difficult to comprehend the true nature of her father.

It still hadn't dawned on her that he wasn't the same person she perceived him to be.

To this day, she struggled to sleep properly, and only in the company of the children could she discover solace. It was solely thanks to them that she maintained her sanity.

This was why she was thankful to them.

"Do you guys want to eat? Dinner should be about ready, so how about we go back and get you all cleaned up before eating?"

Pushing the children back toward the orphanage, Emma watched as they dragged their tired bodies back into the establishment. Staring at their happy backs, her otherwise empty heart filled a little.

'I really did make the right decision.'

The more she stared at them, the more she felt at peace with her decision. This world... it was lonely to her.

She had friends, but everyone she truly cared for had already left her. Her world was a lonely one, but at the very least, it wasn't as lonely as it could've been.

***

"Haa..."

An audible sigh escaped me as I fixed my gaze on the figure before me.

His eyes remained locked on the orphanage in the distance, his lips slightly pursed, while an array of emotions played out on his face. His unwavering gaze lingered on the structure as he seemed to have fallen in deep thought.

'For fuck's sake...'

I experienced a mild sense of annoyance intertwined with a peculiar amusement as I stared at him.

"Are you really that scared of her?"

My words seemed to have evoked a certain emotion in him as he shuddered. Slowly turning his head, his eyes fixed on me.

"I'm n..not scared."

which tremored midway, betrayed his true feelings and I almost laughed. Of course, I suppressed that

"Well, you should be."

made sure to emphasize my words. And as expected, seeing

how I missed

took pleasure in the sight before me. Not that I showed

show it. Only then would I

I respected your choice of keeping everyone's memories of you sealed, how do you think she'll react if you suddenly

to earth, and given my newfound powers I was capable of reviving Kevin.

so that it remains stable. As things stand, you're still a protector. However, the moment you denounce

was only after I became the Overseer that I truly understood the complexity of a Protector. The Universe was vast,

a blessing and a curse. Living longer wasn't

to make Emma a

pondered for a moment before

"It's possible."

of Protectors. They'd gain access to unimaginable power and

do you really think Emma

and he lowered his head. At

were to leave, what will happen to you? Will

"I'll be fine."

In this Universe, Jezebeth was dead. I made sure of that. There wasn't going to be another him

"Well..."

for a long while, his shoulders eventually relaxed as he

"Haaa..."

His expression softened slightly.

in mind and I've never been happy once. Will

"So?"

up my face. I could

he

know

***

teeth and

and sighed. Staring at the children who were still roaming about and full

they supposed to be

had left her baffled. Back when she was their age, she didn't have as much

her, Emma

about time I

been at it for over a year now, and only now did it truly dawn

not an easy task. In fact, it was quite a hard task. One had to wonder just how

To Tok—!

heard a soft knock coming from the main door of the orphanage and her brows jumped

who could it

visitors coming to the orphanage. Occasionally one or two would come to adopt the children, but they were a rare sight. Ever since the war, the financial ability that was once present in Ashton City crumbled, and many were found struggling to settle

wasn't in the minds of very

eyes

"I'm coming."

shouted, straightening her dress and putting on a warm smile. There was nothing that brought her more joy than seeing

best to keep them happy, she knew

out for the door handle she slowly opened the door and

Clank—!

there, are you looking to

halfway through as her entire body froze. Her previously calm mind

a figure she dreamed of every single day. He may have wanted her to forget about him, but

wouldn't let him

"..."

eyes shone like jewels under the starry

in her memories, and she blinked her eyes slowly. Hoping that when she'd

he really remained

wasn't a dream or

right in front of

Pita! Pita!

broken by the hot streaks that fell down from her cheeks and fell to the

started to blur and she felt a small piece of her slowly filling

than to just jump into his arms and bawl

doing so. She was getting

a dream? What if it wasn't

broken by a

"Ehm... so."

sounded the same as in her memories, and when she wiped her eyes, she could see the apparent nervousness in his gaze as he looked down and his eyes wandered

to struggle to say what he wanted to say. "Ehmm... I had a whole speech prepared,

she was at a glance, and her heart started to calm down. He was

"Huuu."

their eyes finally met and he pursed his lips

I heard that you

***

Holocene

Bon Iver

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'Efforts never betray you.'

widely respected and repeatedly

as a personal mantra to follow throughout their whole life, while others simply scoff at it as if it