Epilogue

“Come on now, you can do it.” The old woman gently urged the young man as they maneuvered down the side of the mountain. The sun had just risen in the east and was moving to grace the sky with its presence.

She heard the young man grunt ahead of her and watched him clutch his shoulder as he struggled down the steep slope. His wounds were bad, but she felt that she could heal him.

Cradling the two babies in her arms, she smiled wistfully at their innocent faces. She’d lost a daughter today, but gained two grandchildren.

With the prophecy now complete, she had no idea what the future world was going to look like. Her ancestors had promised peace and a utopian society, she hoped they were right.

As they reached the outskirts of the village, the old woman braced herself for what she might see. The men dressed in black had attacked her village the night before and a flutter of fear danced around her heart as she proceeded with caution.

“Careful.” The young man whispered as he leaned against a tree for support. He eyed his children carried in the crook of the old woman’s arms with concern. His heart ached with the loss of their mother and, very likely, his sister, but he felt warmth like no other for the twins.

Peering around the corner of a neighbor’s hut, she was surprised to see so many bodies lying upon the ground. In the distance, she could see many men digging shallow graves.

Her lips curved into a smile. The outsiders hadn’t stood a chance against her people.

With the babies clutched close to her bosom, she wandered into the center of the village. Instantly surrounded, tears flooded her eyes and ran down her wrinkled cheeks.

“Medicine Woman, is it true?” The Chief, his eyes wide with hope, stood before her. His ceremonial headdress perched high upon his head and his bare chest coated with the dried blood of the outsiders.

“Yes.” Her voice was quiet yet strong as she gazed again at the infants, settling upon the tiny boy. “The prophecy is complete, a new world has begun.”

The End