So this is the end of my last completed story. There wasn't much interest in this one. Seems that the further I get from canon, the less people want to read it. The original Luka's Story did very well, and Paradox is doing very well, but in between the response was pretty lukewarm. Especially towards this story, which didn't get much criticism or praise. For that reason, Paradox is almost certainly the end for this series, and a fitting end I hope it will be.
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Ben awoke in what he immediately recognized to be a medical facility. He looked around blearily. His parents were in the room, as well as two more figures he couldn't make out through his blurry vision.
"Finally awake, slug boy?"
Emma! "How long was I out? Did we win for real this time?" Ben asked.
"You did your job perfectly," Promestein said. "It wasn't exactly the role I had envisioned for you, but it all worked out. Oh, and you were out for three days. You're pretty tough. Luka was out for thirty after executing a Sextuple Giga."
"it's the slug blood," his father chimed in. "A little… whatever giga never brought a Greenberg down!"
"Honey, we're so proud of you!" his mother added. "But don't ever run off and worry me like that again! Oh, I'm never going to sleep well again knowing that my son is off heroing with angels and spirits and beings that never die…"
"I think his days of being a hero are over," Promestein said confidently. "In the modern age, we have a strong government and military, as well as some…. Secret organizations to handle things. I think your son is going to go to college and become a fine… accountant or something."
"Oh God, put me back in a coma," Ben joked.
"That wasn't technically a coma," Promestein corrected.
"So how did it end? The last thing I remember is going to destroy the gate and Emma was fighting Zurith again."
"I totally kicked her ass!" Emma said proudly. "It was a little tougher than the first time. Apparently she'd been taken by surprise by how much power I had. She was ready with counterspells and magical attacks that kept me a little off balance. But Tamamo and Eden helped out, and when you brought down the gate she had nothing. My next blast obliterated her. Sent her right back home. Hopefully she never comes back."
"I suspect that she never wanted to come back to the surface in the first place," Promestein said.
"Wait, what?" Emma blurted. "That wasn't the first time she tried to get rowdy up here. What makes you think that she didn't want to do it again?"
"I did some analysis on the so-called barrier Ilias put up," Promestein said. "It was a lot less strong than she thought it was. Sure, it would have taken time to break through, as in centuries, but that's nothing for a being that lives forever. She could have broken through and done her worst over and over. I think Black Alice goaded her into it."
"Why would she do that?" Ben asked.
"Maybe she had a plan to take over hell. We don't actually know what happened to Zurith when you blasted her after she was cut off from her home dimension. She could be destroyed completely, she could have just gone back to hell to rule. Or, her 'death' while cut off from hell might have meant that she had to go back the way everyone else does. In which case she might arrive back home weak enough for Black Alice to dominate her. I'm afraid we may never know. It's what I would have done had I been in Black Alice's position."
"So the world is safe, forever?"
"The world is never truly safe forever. Long centuries of experience have taught me that. But for your lifetimes, the chances are pretty good that you'll never have to worry about a world destroying threat again. It's kind of depressing, actually. I just know I'm going to get roped into finding the next great hero again in a thousand years or so."
"No one feels bad for you, Promestein," Emma said. "Just go and enjoy your millions of dollars and your twelve vacation homes and your thirty eight secret labs until you're needed again."
"You left out my properties on Earth."
"Can I visit Earth with you next time you go?" Ben asked. "Please? I've always wanted to see it!"
"We'll talk about it in a few years," Promestein said, chuckling. "Let's try to keep you out of trouble until you're out of school. Besides, I think the world is about to change. With immortals back in the public eye, I suspect that there will be some reconsideration of many ideas society has taken for granted for generations."
"Besides," Emma added. "I was kinda hoping that you'd stay out of trouble with me for awhile."
"Emma? Really?!" Ben asked.
Emma pulled the Luka ring off of her finger. "The way the ring worked is that when it found a match, I got all of Luka's power. The ring itself is just… a ring now. So I want you to have it. Sorry, but I'm broke so I couldn't buy a nicer one."
Emma placed the ring on Ben's finger.
"Is this a proposal?" Ben asked.
"No, dumbass! I literally just met you like a month ago! It's more…. An expression of affection. I hope you'll write me while you're in college at New Remina. Since New Remina isn't far from my home, you can visit me often."
"I've got a better idea," Promestein interjected. "What use is money if I never spend it?"
Promestein handed Emma an envelope. Emma, frowning in confusion, opened it. She read it and her eyes widened.
"I've been accepted into the same college Ben's going to?! Are you serious?! How? My grades and test scores aren't nearly good enough!"
"I know half of the professors there," Promestein said, flashing that arrogant smirk that Ben had grown to love. "I pulled a few strings, made a generous donation to the school. You'll be seeing a Promestein science hall going up in the next year or two. I may even decide to go into teaching as my latest profession."
"I take back every bad thing I said about you!" Emma laughed, hugging Promestein.
"Don't take back all of it," the angel said. "Most of it was justified. If there's one thing this crazy quest did, it was force me to confront my past rather than just trying to move on and pretend it no longer mattered. It's time for me to try my best to make up for that past."
"Does this mean we're going to be roomies, Emma?" Ben asked excitedly.
"They have coed dorms, so I don't see why not," Promestein replied
"Oh, I'm so glad you have a monster girlfriend, Benji," his mother said. "they don't carry diseases like humans."
"Mom!"
"Ah, my second favorite hero is awake!" Agent Haven said, entering the room with Micaela.
"Are we in the compound?" Ben asked.
"Yes," Micaela confirmed. "I was informed that you'd awakened, so I teleported over a couple of people who wanted to see you."
Two kitsunes walked into the room. Ben recognized both immediately. One was the Monster Lord, the other the President!
"I'm glad you're both here," the President said. "So that I can present you both with the Medal of Freedom. Your bravery saved the world, as in the days of the ancient heroes. It looks like a lot of ancient figures have returned to public life. I think things are going to get a lot more complicated. But I also think the world is going to feel safer knowing that the immortals stand ready to defend it. As well as it's equally important mortal heroes."
The President placed a medal around Ben's neck, with an identical one for Emma. The Monster Lord came forward.
"And this," the Monster Lord declared. "is the Medal of Unity. Even today, the idea of a human, a monster, and an angel working together to save the world is astonishing, and a sign of all the progress that has been made over the centuries. And you positively must let me officiate your wedding!"
Ben and Emma both blushed. "Doesn't Promestein get a medal, too?" Emma asked. "Without her…."
"They've given me far more than I deserve," Promestein said. "The Monster Lord has dropped all charges against me for stealing the Angel Halo, and the President has agreed to give me funding for any project I could ever want."
"On the condition that the project is legal and ethical," the President reminded her.
"Of course," Promestein said, half reassuringly.
"Now if you'll excuse me, a President's schedule is tight. Micaela, if you would please take me back to Luka City?"
"Although my schedule isn't nearly as busy," the Monster Lord said. "I should probably leave you to be with your loved ones. But while you're in New Remina, feel free to come to my castle anytime. Even Monster Lords need to eat, and you are more than worthy."
"What?!" Emma blurted.
"Didn't you say that it was a great honor to be licked by the Monster Lord?" the kitsune teased. "If you don't want him to be licked by me, you should probably put a ring on that finger for real. Toodles."
The Monster Lord left with Micaela and the President, leaving Ben mortified. And also very excited. Emma glared at him.
"Speaking of being licked, how's Ashley?" Ben joked.
"Don't think you're getting out of helping Ashley with her problem," Emma said.
"What, Ashley's okay but not the Monster Lord?"
"Ashley's my bestie," Emma smiled. "And only as long as she needs you. I have a feeling that Minagi's 'therapy' is going to work like a charm. If you're good, I'll get Minagi to teach me the throat exercises she's teaching Ashley."
"I think we'll be leaving you two alone for a bit," Ben's father said, getting up and guiding his mother out of the room.
"So does that mean we're going steady?" Ben asked hopefully.
"I love you, Ben," Emma said softly. Then in a less serious tone. "Slug boy."
Laughing, she jumped into the bed with Ben, to snuggle and talk about a hopeful future.
Promestein knelt by the grave and tried to compose her thoughts. She hadn't actually been told that Luka was buried here. She had simply deduced it. Once she had found out that he was dead, it had seemed obvious that there must be a grave. She simply went to the most logical place for it to be, and sure enough, there it was.
"I….. I feel ridiculous talking to your tombstone like this," she began. "My scientific mind tells me that after one thousand years your coffin contains nothing but dust. And I saw your soul pass on out of this world. I know in my head that there's no way that you can hear me. And yet… your ring responded to me for just a moment, as if you were still watching over me. Why did you care for me so much, Luka? I guess it doesn't matter. That was just the kind of person you were, and I was the person I was. I've tried so hard, Luka! Tried hard to live up to what you thought I could be. I got roped into that damned quest and I thought I was making a hash of the whole thing. And then it all worked out anyway, just like one of your crazy adventures!. What good is all this intelligence if it doesn't end up mattering anyway? I guess I just hope I made you proud, Luka. I wish I could say that I'll see you again, but I doubt that's true. People like me don't get that happy ending."
"You don't know that, Promestein," a gentle voice, a hand on her shoulder. Tamamo. "I can't believe that a just God would give us no path to redemption. Maybe that's why we live so long. Maybe we need the time."
Tamamo knelt beside Promestein at Luka's grave. "When he died, I buried him on my own property," Tamamo said. "I've lived in this same little house ever since Yamatai Village arrived in this world. I decided that it was a fitting resting place for him, since I never plan on leaving."
"I miss him so much, Tamamo," Promestein sobbed, letting the tears flow freely.
"Not to be mean, Promestein, but you had ample opportunity to be the friend to him that he wanted to be to you. Why didn't you visit, or call?"
"I guess because I was afraid. Or maybe I just hated myself deep down. I don't know. I didn't really care, either. I didn't need a friend, or so I thought. So when he retired and I no longer worked for him, we just… parted ways."
"When did you realize that you missed him?"
"There was…. There was this picture. In the Monster Lord's castle. I think it was the only one he ever took of me. I used to tell him I didn't want to be photographed whenever he'd point that damn camera at me, and he'd always respect my wishes. Until one day he played the birthday card. I thought he wanted to have sex with me again. He did, but first he wanted a picture. Since it was his birthday, I consented."
"I remember that one," Tamamo said. "You looked like you were barely tolerating it. He looked overjoyed."
"Yeah. I thought I made him pretty happy that night, but he never seemed happier with me than when he took that picture."
"For someone who didn't want to get close to him, you sure had sex with him a lot."
"I told myself that he was just a perv who liked to screw his one employee," Promestein chuckled softly.
"Luka did become a perv!" Tamamo laughed. "But sex was never meaningless to him. He only ever asked those he loved. I have a favorite picture of Luka as well. Here, let me show you."
Tamamo pulled out her phone and scrolled to a picture. Promestein laughed through her tears. The picture featured a very naked Luka lying unconscious on a table, pumpkin pie and Cool Whip smeared all over his body. Tamamo and Minagi were posing by Luka's body, thumbs up, faces covered in whipped cream.
"Oh, that first Thanksgiving!" Promestein laughed. "I was so drunk that night! I barely remember what I did."
"Just about every perverted thing you could think of to that poor boy," Tamamo laughed. "You weren't alone. How did he survive that night? Every girl at that table got her fill."
"Everyone?! How was that possible? How many times..?"
"Saja was the only one who was sober throughout the whole thing. She said he came twenty-seven times."
"Twenty-sev-? You're putting me on! I can assure you that it is not scientifically possible for a man to come that many times."
"Not without the help of a succubus' magic, no," Tamamo said, grinning.
"How did that not kill him?"
"One of the many mysteries of life that we'll never understand. You know, I hated you for a long time, but I shouldn't judge you. We all have our dark pasts. You did good, Promestein. We saved the world. I hope you won't be a stranger. If you want a friend now, you have one."
"Tamamo… I don't know what to say."
"Why don't you come inside? I have a few photo albums with lots of Luka pictures. Maybe for just a day we can relive the good old days?"
"I think I'd like that."
Hand in hand, Promestein and Tamamo walked up the hill, back to Tamamo's house.