Moments later, Mallen stood alone in the same field where Írásom had died. In his hand he held white jasmine flowers; they were Írásom's favorite flowers. Tears filled his eyes as he fixed his gaze on the spot where Írásom disintegrated.

Mallen set the flowers down, then seized a smooth rock he had picked out earlier and carefully set it in place. He drew his sword, using his sword as a pen to write Írásom Zaliċ on the gravestone rock.

Next he placed the jasmine flowers, periwinkle blue and olive green ribbons intertwining the stems. Mallen knelt on the ground, taking his wedding ring off and placing it beside the flowers. He wept, brushing tears from his eyes even though the tears kept coming. His tears sparkled, indicating he was a Csa.

The Ileín stood a distance, quietly watching him mourn. When Mallen stood, the Ileín appeared beside him, allowing Mallen to see him in his man-like form. "I know the very depth of your pain, Mallen, for I have experienced it myself," the Ileín told him softly. "Come, I want to show you something."

Mallen followed the Ileín to a silvery white monument on top of an open field. There were beautiful trees set a certain distance from the monument, as though they were silent guardians. The trees' branches spread out like an umbrella canvas, sheltering the monument from rain and weather elements.

The monument had golden lettering carved into it. Inscribed was the name Magarra. Above the lettering was a glass casket, the exterior golden. Inside the casket, lying on a bed of royal blue silk, was a beautiful blonde woman.

She had blue circuits running down her body, indicating she was a machine. Her eyes were closed, her long hair carefully spread out around her. Her long blonde hair trailed down to her feet. She was wearing a magenta pink outfit with blue and gold detailing on it. Her shoes were golden heels with sapphire gemstones.

Mallen stopped to look at the woman in the casket. He was taken away by the woman's beauty.

"This is Magarra," said the Ileín. "She was the most important woman in my life. She was the one who helped me survive being a machine. If it weren't for Magarra, I probably would've died before I could've gotten the chance to become the yellow dust. To become the Ileín."

"I'm sorry," Mallen said sympathetically. "Was she your wife?"

A touch of a smile lightened the Ileín's face. "Even though we never married, I consider her the equivalent of a wife. I know she would've wanted to marry me."

"Didn't you have a human wife? Before you became a machine?" Mallen asked.

The Ileín nodded. "Tylria was my human wife. I loved her dearly. I still love her. But I allowed her to marry a human friend we both trust because I can no longer be with her the way a husband can be with his wife. My hard machine body would've crushed her fragile human body. I was relieved to be with Magarra, knowing I would never be able to hurt her since she was a machine too. As the Ileín, I'm untouchable; I can only love Tylria from a distance."

"So you love two women?"

"Don't you also?" The Ileín asked, turning to look directly at Mallen.

Mallen lowered his eyes, not wanting to answer.

A moment passed before the Ileín turned from the monument.

"You killed my wife," Mallen said crossly.

"And you killed Iérti's wife. Had you spared Katlyn, you wouldn't be mourning Írásom."

"Would I have even met Írásom if Katlyn remained alive? Iérti was the one who brought her to me. I probably wouldn't have met her otherwise."

"You would've been in pursuit of Katlyn. You would've been the same man as before, and she still would've brought you to humanity, though it would've been eventually rather than quickly.

"But Iérti would no longer look at you the same. It would be the end of him thinking of you as a brother. Things would've been much darker between you two; the rivalry would not end until one of you were dead. Iérti would try to kill you and you would constantly be on the run from Iérti. You and Iérti would be divided to a point of no return, simply because you fell in love with his wife. You avoided a million different situations and possibilities by killing Katlyn."

"And Olivia," Mallen said ruefully. "Don't forget, I'm not innocent of that crime either. It still haunts me to this day."

"Then know that each time you 'feed', you're slowly atoning for what you've done. The same goes for Iérti and all the other former vampires. There was not one vampire amongst you that was not found innocent of murder, whether it was intentional or unintentional."

"Even Blaise?" Mallen asked, astonished.

The Ileín nodded sadly. "Even Blaise. Why do you think he started apologizing to each person he fed on?"

Mallen was stunned. "I never knew."

"Now you know." The Ileín stepped closer to the glass casket, feeling a golden tear slide from his eye. He sensed Mallen's empathy. He knew of his future and what end would await Mallen and Iérti. He related to Mallen in that both their loved ones had died, but he related more to Iérti in that he never wanted the life he was forced to live rather than the life he had with his wife. Both Iérti and the Ileín wanted a simple life, but they were given great power against their will. There was no other choice but to use that power for good, to make the best of what was given.

The Ileín knew longed to be with his family more than anything. His want to be human was secondary in wanting to see his family again. It echoed the Ileín's own desire to be human once again, but he knew he was unable to until the yellow dust allowed it so. The yellow dust told him he still had much to do before he could allow him to become human again.

The Ileín heard Mallen come close. He was careful to keep a distance, knowing even an accidental touch would cause immediate death. Secretly hating one of the biggest drawbacks to being the most powerful alien in the galaxy, the Ileín stepped back from the casket.

"Magarra's dead body is preserved using Iredescent technology, which they learned from planet Haerreop. Iredescent and Haerreop are very close allies and share secret intel with one another. Planet Magarra is considered an ally, since it is a planet of peace.

"I know you dread eventually going to planet Iredescent. In time, you will see the importance of going to Iredescent. You will go there with urgency to stop one of your own from eliminating innocents. You will change everything, Mallen. On planet Iredescent, there is another powerful lifeform called the Black Rose, a legend that will come to an end. You will lend your blood to her power. With the combination of your powerful vampire blood and her legendary power, the Csa will be eliminated, and the Iredescent legend will come to an end. After her death, there will be no other."

"Who is she?" Mallen asked, confused.

"She will be a trusted friend to you, and more. That is all I will tell you." The looked deeply into Mallen's eyes. "Farewell, Mallen." The Ileín teleported in a shimmer of yellow dust particles, leaving Mallen alone.

Mallen glanced at the woman in the casket one final time, shedding a few tears before wiping them on his sleeve. He slowly walked back to the ship, looking up at the twilight sky as the evening turned to night.

Fireflies emerged at random, lighting up the beautiful evening as Mallen walked in the field. He looked in admiration at the fireflies, reminded of how magical his own wedding had been. Fireflies had attended it, as well as crows and hedgehogs. Tears wet his eyes again, nature's beauty making him break down and cry.

He cried until it got too dark. His silhouette lit by surrounding fireflies and stars from above, Mallen remained in the dark until sunrise when the early morning woke him. Iérti came soon after to find him, giving Mallen a brief brotherly hug before returning to the ship to make preparations for their trip.

Sable arrived at the ship's entrance door an hour later, asking to see Iérti. She found him with Cyrlin in the ship galley, making sure things were in order. Iérti excused himself as he went to speak with Sable, noticing how pretty she looked in a sage green dress, her hair braided and set to one side.

Iérti felt a small pang in realizing she came to say goodbye. He hugged Sable for a long time, taking in the scent of strawberries and cream. He gazed at her, slowly reaching to touch Sable's cheek. She was warm and full of life, like bursting sunlight, yet she was human and he was Csa. Not that it mattered; Iérti was fond of Sable, but she wasn't the one he loved.

"I'll miss you," Iérti said, feeling a sob come up his throat, though he forced himself to remain steady and calm.

"I'll miss you too, Iérti," said Sable, giving him a kiss on the cheek. She hugged him once more.

Iérti stepped back, still embracing her. "I know you wish for me to stay, but my heart will always belong to one woman. I pray you'll bring warmth and life to the man that is meant to be your future husband."

"And I pray you'll suffer no more from the past, that you'll have peace and hope in your life," said Sable. "That you will complete what you're meant to complete before you can finally reunite with your family."

As they pulled away from their last embrace, Iérti and Sable turned to see the Ileín standing outside the sunlit door. He smiled warmly, saying, "Wish I could embrace you, but alas, I cannot. What I can do is warmly offer you good wishes and a safe journey. As a final token, I want to gift you with better equipped ships."

"What's wrong with our ships?" Iérti asked.

"Nothing wrong. In fact, they work perfectly well," said the Ileín. "However, they are a little old-fashioned, especially for this day and age. I'd like to update your ships, make them modern and sleek. If you would please ask everyone to leave the ships for a moment, I would be most grateful."

"Of course," said Iérti. "Right away, sir."

After asking everyone to leave the ships for a moment, Iérti stood outside with the Csa waiting to see what the Ileín would do. Mallen came over to Iérti, asking what was going on, but Iérti simply told him to watch.

They watched, wide-eyed with amazement, as the yellow dust enveloped around the ships and began transforming them from vintage old-fashioned steampunk style vessels to a futuristic modern style with a classy touch. Each ship was metallic silver with chrome matte black, the black blending into the silver in an ombré. Each ship was equipped with Iredescent invisible cloaking technology that enabled their ships to turn invisible, allowing them to fly undetected.

The yellow dust placed a stylized emblem on each ship: two black crows with an intertwining olive green and maroon red ribbon. It was the official Csa emblem and a symbol of the brotherly bond between Mallen and Iérti. In folklore, two crows symbolized a major change and good news. Becoming the Csa was certainly a major change for Mallen and Iérti.

"Now you are ready to leave. Safe journey, Csa," said the Ileín, smiling as he gave the Csa a little bow before teleporting out of sight.

Mallen loved the new design, how cool and shiny it was. Iérti missed the vintage feel of the old ship design, but he found the modern look to be more practical to their situation. They were both thrilled with the Iredescent technology and how the ships still had comfortable beds, showers, clothes, and everything. The stores were gone, having been disintegrated since the Csa no longer needed them. The karnefesi were set loose, allowed to roam free in the Magarran fields. They headed north towards colder climates.

Exactly 191 Csa were alive; the rest of the former vampires were disintegrated. Because each ship was able to house at least seventy people, the Ileín kept most of the ships, leaving only three. Mallen's ship was one of the original three ships that remained.

The Ileín chose Mallen to be the owner of his original ship, Romena to be the owner of the second ship, and Bly Basko to be the owner of the third ship.

Blaise and Cyrlin stayed with Mallen and Iérti. Romena and Stellan were in the second ship, while Bly Basko and Trandafira were in the third ship. As they gathered preparations and supplies, Romena approached Mallen.

"My ship will not be going to planet Earth with you," Romena announced. "Bly Basko's ship wants to check up on planets Voldvell and Mijoria. I wish to see more of the galaxy."

"That's fine," said Mallen. "You're not obligated to travel with us. You are, however, obligated to stay in contact. It's a Csa order I'll put in place by my word."

"The leadership role suits you well," said Romena, tossing a proud glance at him. "Hope to see you around, brother."

"Likewise, sister," said Mallen, smirking.

rolled his eyes.

As everyone went their separate ways, Iérti spotted Mallen going towards the fields, presumably to Írásom's gravesite one final time. He allowed him privacy, going towards the ship to see how the rooms looked like. They were splendidly designed and very eloquently made.

Iérti loved the minimalist design and architecture of the ship, both the interior and exterior. There were hints of Iredescent design by way of shimmer accents and décor, along with futuristic Magarran influence.

Mallen returned to the ship half an hour later, holding a bouquet of flowers. opened the door for him, glancing at the flowers as Mallen entered the ship.

Chamomile and jasmine? Iérti thought, surprised by the strange combination, unaware chamomile symbolized Katlyn and jasmine symbolized .

As Iérti closed the door, Mallen looked up at the sky once again, knowing it would be the last time he looked upon a Magarran sky. Each ship took off, ready to venture to a new land they had never seen. Iérti stood beside Mallen as they looked out the window, anticipating the next part of their adventure.