The rest of the Csa were patiently waiting for their leader to say the word that would launch them all into the final chapter of their lives. Iérti, Cyrlin, Blaise, and Stellan stood by Mallen's side as Mallen approached the Csa Pravni facing him. They were all standing at attention as they awaited his orders.

Mallen looked at each individual, feeling emotional, knowing they would all die with him on Iredescent. They were all aware of the Ileín's future insight. Some Csa chose to remain on Earth, but Mallen knew even they would perish on the same day as everyone.

This was the consequence of the curse instilled in them by the Ileín, a curse born from the deaths of innocents. The Ileín was justified in that he worked hard to provide a safe haven for humans escaping a horrible machine-ruled world, only for some of those humans to die by vampire fangs.

Mallen took a deep breath, sensing everyone's eyes on him. He addressed the Csa Pravni by saying, "Fellow Csa, I want to personally thank each and every one of you for choosing to come with me out of your own will and decision. I know it's terrifying going to a planet we know we won't return from. I questioned whether we should just stay on Earth, but deep in my heart, I know it would be wrong to hide like cowards and allow Romena to kill innocents like our kind once did. She won't stop at Iredescent, which is why we must stop her now before she continues her cold galactic regime.

"This is a big step for us, the biggest we've ever taken. Yet I'm confident we will emerge from this victorious. We have each enjoyed a boundless immortal life. The Ileín has made it clear our immortal lives have run their course, and it is time for it to end.

"As much as I don't look forward to its end, I believe there is a noble purpose for its end. By saving innocent irangels from dying at the blade of a murderous ribbon, thus saving others from the same fate, we will fulfill a noble purpose and be redeemed from the wrongs due to us."

Stellan surprised him by suddenly stepping forward and holding his fist in the air, saying loudly, "To redemption!"

The Csa Pravni immediately pumped their fists in the air, affirming, "To redemption!"

Mallen's eyes widened, amazed at how quickly the Csa agreed to this.

Then Iérti stepped forward, taking the floor by saying, "Immortality has a tragic cost: watching those you love die while you continue to live on. Because our immorality is to come to an end, we will finally be reunited with our loved ones. That is what I look forward to."

Iérti turned to Mallen, his eyes firm and resolute. "Are you ready?"

Mallen locked eyes with Iérti. "Yes, I'm ready," he responded determinedly. To the Csa Pravni, he said, "Let's go! Commence the ship's course to planet Iredescent."

The Csa Pravni cheered. Cyrlin resumed his role as captain of the ship and immediately set course for planet Iredescent. The Csa went to work, hustling and bustling around the ship. Blaise and Stellan made sure everything was set for their flight. Mallen and Iérti oversaw everything, helping some Csa Pravni with their duties. The two separate ships set off in expectation of their last journey through space.

Two days passed slowly, every hour of anticipation guided by the stars. Sonika peeked out on Mallen's neck, sniffing the air while comfortably snuggled up in his hoodie. Iérti held Armani as they looked out the window, waiting to see the planet of their destiny.

Mallen adjusted his hoodie, making sure Sonika was comfortable. She sniffed at him, touching his face with her nose. Mallen smiled, pulling some more of his hoodie around Sonika to keep her warm.

Iérti faced the window, Armani relaxing in his arms. His hair was short and styled, his eyes fixed on the window. He looked like he wanted to be the first one to see Iredescent. He was wearing Armani brand jeans and a grey Henley shirt that looked really handsome on him, a maroon ribbon worn on his wrist as a bracelet. He wore grey and red sneakers.

Mallen was in an olive green hoodie with a black undershirt, dark wash jeans, and stylish black boots. He kept his long shoulder-length hair, tying it back in a ponytail with an olive green ribbon. He moved to stand beside Iérti.

"I suppose all things must come to an end," Mallen said quietly.

Iérti remained fixated on the black space outside the window for a moment longer before finally looking away and turning to Mallen. "The Ileín said our end is on Iredescent."

"Let us meet it with grace and dignity."

"Let us meet it together," said Iérti.

"As comrades?"

"As brothers in arms."

Mallen unsheathed his sword from the matte black sheath casing at his hip. He raised it, saying, "To us brothers."

Iérti unsheathed his own sword and raised it exactly like Mallen. "To us brothers."

Their swords touched, clanging softly in promise, an echo of their brotherly bond.

Mallen locked eyes with Iérti, knowing he would have to face that sword the moment Iérti learned the dark truth and sought to kill him. Even with that knowledge, even with all his experience, Mallen knew he would never raise his own sword against Iérti, intending to only raise it to protect himself, and even then he would try to inflict no harm on Iérti. He would let Iérti kill him before he would ever think to kill Iérti, already having done so much damage to him and not wishing to do any further damage.

Mallen longed for the absolution of his past sins, his former cruelty and selfishness and lusts, all that were no longer a part of Mallen's present and future. Though he was a changed man, no longer participating in the wrongdoings of his past, Mallen longed to be fully at peace, knowing it would take Iérti learning the dark truth before he would be set free from the heaviest burden of his life.

A kaleidoscope of colors blanketed the ship, filling every room with bursts of color and glitter. Mallen and Iérti immediately sheathed their swords and held Sonika and Armani close, staring out the window in amazement as they were bathed in shimmery sparkles and colorful swirls of light.

"This must be the portal to Iredescent's dimension," Iérti said, his voice full of wonder. "They did say it would be sparkly and colorful."

Both men kept their eyes trained on the window, their hearts beating in excitement as the dancing colors suddenly vanished, revealing a beautiful galaxy in another dimension. Mallen and Iérti held their breath at the sight of a shimmery purple planet with golden rings.

Planet Iredescent.

The End

________________

✨ I l realized I listened to a lot of Powerman 5000 music while writing this book.

✨ Anyways, Mallen and Iérti will show up again in The Undeterred, the book where their story will end. It takes place immediately after this book.

✨ The Phoenix shows up in every book either as a cameo, a secondary or supporting character, or a main character. There are two prequel books called The Iredescent and The Illeín, which focus on the Phoenix and his past (it's pretty dark and lonely, emphasis on lonely, but he has a present and future full of happiness).

✨ Let me know what you thought of this book and any questions/comments you may have regarding my Iredescent series!

Sparkle on!
~ Éira Blask