With the downfall of the cloaked man, the battle had slowly ended. The shadow demons, sensing their master's demise, had ran from the fight. Without their orders, the demons had no meaning. They didn't get far as three out of the four of dragons rallied up the demons and set them a flamed. The creatures dying screeches echoed throughout the battlefield. The royal army, seeing the shadow army falling, had surrendered being greatly out matched. Those who survived and were wounded were spared. Upon their victory, the Clans cheered.

The ogres bellowed, the dwarves laughed, the goblins smiled and patted their comrades on the back, and the elves sighed with relief and allowed the peaceful moment to wash over them. The humans danced, laughed, and cheered altogether. They hugged their friends and family and were grateful for the battle to be over. When the celebration was over, every member of the Clans and humans searched for the wounded and did a body count. Even the royal army had helped. They did not want to be enemy of the Clans or of their own people. They were mere puppets for a false ruler. The elves had quickly set up an infirmary and were taking care of the wounded. The others prepared to say goodbye to their fallen brethren.

Up at Shurli Palace, Karma was in the palace infirmary, being tended by Mika. The she-elf was defecting and stitching up Karma gash in her arm. The whole process was painful. Mika had given Karma some mint leaves to help reduce the pain. It did very little, but it was the thought that count. Jason was next to her on the bed, giving her moral support. He was pretty bang up as well. Jason was cover in scratches and bruises. He had literally looked like he had come out of a war. Once Mika was done stitching up Karma's arm, she wrapped it up in a bandage to keep it from receiving anymore damage. Taking her good hand, Karma stroke Angel's big head. The long-tailed fox had a quick recovery.

Mika made it her mission to ensure Angel's recovery. The fox now rested next her master, as happy as any fox could be. Karma proceeded to recounted what had happened when she took her book and ran out of the throne room. Everyone listen intently to the tale and was surprise to hear that Karma had thrown her book into a fire. "Wow." Jason said when Karma had finished. "That sounds rough." Karma smiled and nodded. She rested her head on his shoulder, exhausted.

"I still don't know where the fire had come from," Karma said after a moment of thought.

"I can help you with that," came a thundering voice from the infirmary window. Omar jumped from the chair he was sitting in and drew out his sword. "Don't waste your energy, elf, I am no threat." Karma lead over the bed at the window to see the side of an orange head peering in. It was the orange dragon. "No offense," the dragon continued to say, "but I did not trust you and came to seek our egg. I sense something was off in that room you call a library and went to see what was happening... I saw that man about to strike you down, so I did what I had to do." Karma looked at the yellow eyes that peered inside the building. She had never been so thankful in her whole life.

"Gratias tibi," Karma said in dragon tongue. "You had saved my life I am forever grateful to you." The dragon snorted and turned his head for a moment. "And what is your name? I am afraid I do not know it." The orange dragon's eye reappear into the window, he squinted at Karma, considering.

"It is Brutus." He said finally. "If you don't mind now, human, I would like our egg back so we may return to Dragon Mountain." Karma sighed and nodded. She wasn't exactly ready to do any moving at the moment.

"Alright." She said and stood with the help of Mika and Jason. Karma looked at Omar. "Where is the egg anyhow? Is it alright?" Omar looked at his friend and nodded.

"It is still in the throne room. I placed it on the chair for safe keeping." Omar said. The orange dragon, Brutus, growled.

"You left our future unattended?!" Omar smiled at the dragon.

"Oh no, I would never do that." The elf said. "I left the egg in great hands... or should I say claws."

----

When the group entered the throne room, Shari the saber-tooth ferret was curled up on the egg fast asleep. "Behold!" Omar said as they entered. "The best guard dog in all of Arula." Karma couldn't help but laughed. She laughed then cringed in pain, she started to cough. Jason held her up to make sure that she wasn't going to topple over. When she recovered, she gave Omar a look.

"You know what," she said. "I couldn't agree more." Omar grinned then clucked his tongue. Shari's eyes pricked up. Looking over at Omar, the ferret obeyed the command and went scurrying over to the elf. Shari climbed up the elf's leg and settled on his shoulder. Omar reached up to scratched the ferret underneath its chin. Jason helped Karma carry the egg out of the room and out of the palace. They met all four dragons on the courtyard. With great care, Karma and Jason set the egg in front of Asluk. The great red dragon bent over the egg to inspect it. With a satisfied snort, he looked at Karma. "Thank you, Creator." He said. "We are most pleased to have our egg back." Karma bowed her head to Asluk.

"You are welcome." Karma replied. "I am happy to serve my world..." she paused for a brief moment. Was this really her world? Sensing her dilemma, Asluk nodded to the other dragons.

"Well then," Asluk said. "It would seem like you have fulfilled your side of the bargain, now it is our time." Karma looked at Asluk. The red dragon continued. "We will take you to Dragon Mountain and share the secrets of the Creator."

----

Karma and her friends prepared themselves for the journey to the mountains once again. It was a short preparation, for all they really need was themselves. But Karma wanted to make sure that Shurli was taken care of first. Spotting Termis relaxing by the stump of the tree in Orina Field, Karma regrettably asked Termis to keep an eye on the Shurli for a few days. Termis gave Karma a wicked smile. "Really?" He said looking at her with his penetrating gaze. Karma nodded.

"Yes," she said then added, "and it better be how I left it or better when I return." Termis chuckled. "Once I've returned, you may be freed. You can leave Shurli and restart what is left of your life." Termis eyed Karma for a long moment.

"And what about the council? Surely Marcus would never let you have me leave, nonetheless be in charge for a few days." He asked.

"Well," Karma said. "As far as I'm concern the council are still in the dungeons. I will not let peep come out of me if you won't." Termis' already wicked smiled turned wicker if there was such a thing. He stood up and bowed deeply.

"Of course, anything for my Creator." Still unsettled by what Karma had done, she allowed Termis to handle the aftermath of the battle. Most of the Clans were nursing their wounds and preparing their journey back home. Karma reminded herself that she would have to do something to thank the Clans for their help and sacrifice. Maybe a grand party or something, she thought. Meeting the dragons and her friends on the other side of the field, she prepared herself for the flight to Dragon Mountain.

Karma and Jason would ride on Asluk, while Omar and Mika would ride on Iylac. Brutus the orange dragon, and Krenstin the blue dragon, whose name Karma had recently learned, had already taken the egg back to their home, not wanting the dragon queen to be without her egg much longer. "Hold on tight," Asluk instructed. "We dragons like to go fast." Holding on to Asluk's spikes, Karma readied herself for the take off. Asluk hunkered down and without further warning, launched himself into the sky with Iylac and her passengers not too far behind.

Karma was surprised by the speed of the dragons. Asluk flew effortlessly through the sky, and without any obstacles that the ground provides its travelers, Dragon Mountain was in view by the next morning. Asluk landed on the familiar platform that Karma and her friends had once entered the Mountains. The red dragon lowered himself so that Karma and Jason could slide down. They landed with wobbly legs and grabbed on to one another for balance. Iylac was not far behind and she too landed and allowed her passengers to jump off. Unlike Karma and Jason, the elves were lot more agile in their landing and had no need to balance themselves.

The red and green dragons were already making their way inside the mountain. "This way if you please." Asluk said and Karma alongside her friends followed the dragons into the familiar tunnels. They reached the main room once again. The large room with the four nest indented into the cavern wall and the three other tunnels and a doorway. Karma looked up at the nest and saw Krenstin and Brutus each in their own. They laid there watching them. Iylac went to join them climbing in her own nest.

"The queen is reunited with her egg and is most pleased." Krenstin said and looked at Karma. "Thank you." Karma bowed her head to the blue dragon. Asluk cleared his throat to get their attention. He motioned down one of the tunnels. Karma walked up to it.

"If you proceed down this tunnel, all of your questions will be answered." The red dragon said. "You must journey here on your own." He looked over at Karma's friends. "They may enter with you if they choose to." With that, Asluk went over to the tunnel that Karma knew led into the dragon queen's cave. "Now if you excuse me, I am to check on our queen." Asluk disappeared down the tunnel. Karma looked down her own tunnel not sure what was on the other side. She looked back at her friends.

"You're coming, right?" She did not wish to go by herself. Omar and Mika smiled.

"Only if you want us to." Mika said and Karma nodded. Jason hopped next to Karma.

"I'm definitely coming." He said. "I think if I were to be left alone with these dragons one of them will eat me or something." Looking back at the dragons in their nest, Jason could see Brutus smiling at him with his fangs showing. "Yeah, let's go together." Jason confirmed and the others chuckled. Karma nudged him with her shoulder.

"Thanks." She said and together they headed down the tunnel.

----

Karma squinted against the bright light as they reached the end of the tunnel. When her eyes adjusted, she couldn't believe what she saw. Standing in front of them was a giant crater. The crater was several feet deep with a stony pathway led down into what looked to be a huge field. It was filled with trees, flowers, a creek and a waterfall, and a society of different creatures and beings of all sorts. From where Karma could see from the platform that she stood on the creatures were ones she had never seen! Creatures that were big or small, stout, or tall, ones that flew, ones that walked or hobbled. There were so many species of creatures that Karma couldn't place, it was to behold. A strange creature suddenly flew up to Karma's face startling her. The creature was small, as big as a hummingbird. It was fat with tan, slimly skin with black buggy eyes that stared at Karma. It tilted its fat head before deciding that Karma and her friends were of no interest to it.

Karma watched it fly down the crater and disappear into a tunnel, one of many that surround the bottom of the field. She looked at her friends in amazement. They shared her emotion and were determined to explore this whole new world. As one they walked down the smooth steep path that led down to the bottom. Once at the bottom, Karma and her friends could see these creatures at a better view. Karma saw a creature that was as tall as giraffe with a head the resembled a mouse and ears that were as huge as a fence fox! The tall creature went up to a tree and standing on it tall thin hind legs, reached up to the tallest branch and took a mouthful of leaves.

The whole place was absolutely amazing! It was like walking into a dream. The place seemed so peaceful. It reminded Karma of an animal reserve. She and her companions continued on their exploring of this utopia. As they walked, something caught Jason's eye and when he looked and saw what it was, he gentle tugged on Karma's sleeve. Turning her attention to Jason, she looked where he was pointing. Across the creek by the waterfall was small cottage. Giving curious looks at one another, they went that way, crossing a small bridge over the creek and to the cottage. As they got closer, they spotted a woman who was working her garden in front of the cottage.

The woman looked to no more in her fifties with greying black hair. She wore a simple green dress that fitted her figure perfectly. She was bent over, using a watering spout to water her flowers. Her eyes flickered over to them, back to her flowers, then realizing she had guest, flickered her eyes back. She stood up straight as Karma and her companions came closer. The woman's aging eyes were on Karma as they approached. And as Karma came closer, she suddenly realized that she knew this woman. This was the woman who had given her the book at the fair all those years ago. So he was right, Karma thought thinking about the cloaked man. The woman set down her watering spout and walked over to Karma.

"It is nice to see you again, Karma." The woman said. "And let me tell you it is a blessing to see the woman you had become." She gave Karma a warm smile.

"So, you know each other?" Jason asked needing a refresher on things. Karma nodded.

"Sort of," Karma said returning the smile. "This is the woman who sold me my book."

"You may call me Abby." The woman said. "And I am very glad you had finally found this place. I was beginning to think you'd never come." Again, the woman smiled. Gesturing to the utopia around them, Abby said, "welcome to Earthia, the first world to ever be created."

"Earthia," Karma echoed, and Abby hummed.

"Mm, yes," She looked at Karma and knew that the child had a lot of questions. "I was born in Salem, Massachusetts, sixteen-seventy-four." Both Jason and Karma stared at Abby for a long moment.

"Sixteen-seventy-four!" Jason exclaimed. Abby bounced her hair and beamed.

"I know, I look good for my age, don't I?" She winked at Jason. "I was eighteen when I was trailed as a witch." She sniffed. "Of course it was true that I was witch, but they had no right to imprison me and my fellow sisters and brothers. So one night in my home before the townspeople could get to me, I created a world, I call it Earthia. It was a way for all of us witches and sorcerers to escape to without worry. It worked and together I, along with my fellow brother and sisters created Earthia. A peaceful place where we could study our magic without interruption. I created the book to allow me to expand on this world.

"After so many years unfortunately, the book ran of pages and I was no longer allow to expand on this world. So I came up with an idea to allow others to expand and create their own world. A way for them to escape from their own treacherous lives. They received their own book and when those pages ran out, their time as the world's creator was up. It was time for the next creator." Karma looked around her surroundings.

"And these?" She motioned at all the creatures wandering around.

"Creations from past creators that unfortunately could not fit with the changing world of the next generation." Abby explained. "They had to go somewhere, so I created this utopia to allow all creations to migrate to when their time has come. And the dragons do an excellent job in helping protect them." She looked at Karma. "Eventually some of your creations will end up here when the next creator shows up. If your creation doesn't go with the theme or evolution of the world, they must retire here." Karma again looked around and felt sadden at the thought. There was a sudden chirping noise coming from Omar's shoulder. Shari poked his furry head out from the elf's long white hair. It scurried down Omar body and went up to Abby. Abby bent down and picked up the ferret.

"But I didn't create him," Karma said. "how did he end up staying in Arula?" Abby scratch Shari behind the ear.

"I guess someone didn't the memo, mm?" She said to the ferret then back at Karma. "You did create saber-tooth wolves, did you not?" Karma nodded.

"I did."

"Then that would explain it." Abby said giving Shari to Karma. "The little ferret must have thought it belonged with them than its own kind." The woman pointed across the creek and Karma looked to see a small tree where a bunch of saber-tooth ferrets were running around.

"Great," muttered Karma and looked at Shari. "There's more of you." Abby laughed. Karma let Shari settle on her shoulder. The ferret rubbed against her cheek. After a moment of thought, Karma asked,

"who were the other creators?" Abby stopped laughing and looked at Karma. She motioned them to follow. Karma and her friends followed Abby across the small bridge and up the steep stony path.

"After me, there was another young lady named Bella. She was very interested in nature. Her world was filled with jungles and other plant life. There were many others throughout the centuries, some I won't bother to mention because it would just take a century to name them all." She smiled back at Karma. "But if you must know some of them, there was Angie who called her world Magi. It was filled with every mythical and magical creature."

She pointed at Omar and Mika. "That is where your elven friends come from." She smiled once more, but then it faded fast. "Then there was Lester... who was so angry at the world... if only I could have seen it sooner." She looked at Karma. "I was told you ran into some trouble with him." Karma nodded.

"Yes," Karma admitted. "But I put a stop to him." She then proceed to tell Abby about all that has happened. Abby frowned and shook her head.

"I am sorry." Abby said. "I thought I stopped him the first time he attempted this."

"The first time?" Jason and Karma said in unison. Abby nodded.

"A young boy name Oscar... he was after Lester. The boy created gods and goddess along with legends and myths... I am ashamed to say I could not save the boy." Karma gave Abby a curious look. "Unfortunately, Lester was enraged that I stripped him of his creator abilities and destroyed his book and creations... he went after poor Oscar. Killed the boy and took his book. I barely manage to stop him from re-releasing his titans once more." Abby looked sadly at Karma. "I am forever in your debt for stopping that man. Thank you. I did not wish for you to do it, so I do apologize." Karma nodded.

"No need to apologize, Arula is my responsibility. Either way, I had to stop him." Karma said. They had finally reached the top of the platform and Abby led them back through the tunnel.

"Come I must show you something." They walked into the tunnel and away from the utopia. They reentered the main room where all the dragon were relaxing in their nest. They looked up when they saw Abby along with Karma and company come out of the tunnel. Asluk let out a puff of smoke from his nostrils. "Hello, Asluk," Abby said and to the others. The other dragons watched them for bit longer before no longer caring about their visitors. Karma thought that to be strange for having to seen first off how these dragons can be. I guess even dragons can be battle weary, Karma thought. Abby led them down the tunnel where the queen dragon was.

Peering inside the large nest, Karma could see the queen dragon happily with her egg. Her golden tail was wrapped protectively around the fragile egg. "You see," Abby whispered. "When a new creator emerges, this egg will hatch and turn into what is known as the ultimate creature. For you it was dragons. For another, is a wyvern, or a giant spider... as for Lester, it was a titan." Abby shook her head. She waved them out. "Come, we must not disturb the queen any longer." Karma looked the queen. It was strange to see firsthand how everything worked. And to be honest, it was a little confusing. There was so much that Karma did not understand. Walking back to the main room, Karma asked,

"what about my book? As you know, I threw it into a fire." Abby looked at Karma and smiled sadly.

"Unfortunately, it is a one book per-creator. I cannot give you another or fix it. What's done is done." Karma nodded understandingly. A thought occurred to Karma. Her recent headaches. She expressed that to Abby. The woman looked at Karma and shook her head. "A side effect I am afraid that has happened to most Creators... here, child." Karma came close to Abby. The witch placed her forefingers on Karma's temples and closed her eyes. Karma felt a strange sense of energy coming from Abby's fingers to her. After a moment, Abby opened her eyes and put her hands down. "There your headaches should be no more."

"So I am done being the Creator of Arula?" Karma asked.

"As of right now, no you are not. You just can no longer place things in this world, since you've destroyed the only way you can. It will be some time before I find another creator for this world. So Arula is still yours until then. I'll be sure to let you know when the time has come." Abby said with a wink. "Now over here," she said and led the group over to the doorway. "It is my understanding that you are stuck in Arula because you gave away your last orb, yes?" Karma nodded. "And it is my understanding," Abby looked at Jason. "That you came here by accident and cannot get back to your old life, yes?" Jason also nodded. Abby motioned to the door.

"This is the gateway to the Otherworld." The witch explained. "And it is a one-way ticket. The only other way to get back here is either with Karma's orbs, or my way, which I will not reveal." Abby looked over at Jason and Karma. "If you wish to leave Arula, you may. I doubt anyone will stop you. You may return back to your normal lives and reality... it is your choice, after all." Karma and Jason stared at the door. Back to Earth? Back to their old lives they had left behind. Looking at this door tugged at Karma's heart. She looked at Jason was wondering what he was thinking. She still felt guilty about having Jason trapped here in Arula. But now... with this door, he could go back. Go back to his mother and brother. Go get his college degree. He could have his life back.

All of those thoughts made Karma sadden even more. She couldn't leave Arula. Not yet anyway. Not with all the damage that must be fixed first. But Jason didn't have to stay. That only made Karma feel sick. She didn't want Jason to leave, and yet, she didn't want him to be stuck here either. "You could and get your life back." Karma said to Jason. "You won't have to be stuck here anymore."  Jason switch his vison to Karma and back to the door. It was tempting thought. Indeed it was. He could go back. Back to his normal life. But did Jason really want to go back to his normal life?

Where everything was expected of him, where he couldn't escape the weight on his shoulders. He looked at the door and back to Karma. On the other hand, he like Arula. He liked not having the weight of the world on his shoulders and being able to help the people of this world. He liked helping Karma. And he especially liked Karma. In his heart, Jason knew Karma wasn't ready to leave Arula and back to the real world. And to be frank, neither was he. Jason smiled at Karma. "I could," he said. "It is a very tempting thought but... I think I'll stick around for a little while longer." He grabbed Karma's hand and entwined his fingers with hers. Karma smiled back and gave his hand a squeeze.

From behind them, Omar and Mika shared a knowing smile. They were too relived that Jason chose to stay but were a little disappointed that Karma didn't decide to leave. They knew it was only a matter of time. Abby nodded at this and smiled. "Well then," she said. "The door is always here when you are ready to return. But of right now, please be my guest and stay the night. The dragons will take you back to Shurli in the morning." The dragons, upon hearing this, didn't like the idea of being bossed around. Brutus snarled and turned around in his nest, back facing the others. Abby scoffed but did not comment. She led the others back down the tunnel to the crater.

----

That night, Karma and Jason sat underneath a tree staring up out of the crater and into the starry sky. Surprisingly enough, the night was full of stars again. Karma had often wondered what that meant and often came to the conclusion that it meant that everything was right in the world. Sighing, she slid further down the tree and placed her head on Jason's shoulder. "So what are you going to do now when we get back?" Jason asked watching a pair of what seemed to be squirrels with extremely large ears and short tails chasing each other around the root of a tree across from them. "You know with the council and all that." Karma groaned not really wanting to talk about them. For once, she wanted time to stand still so she could enjoy the peaceful moment.

"They'll get their answer when they get it." Karma said watching a group of fireflies dancing around them. She heard Jason chuckled and felt his body rumbled. Taking his arm, he wrapped it around Karma bringing her in close. "For now, I want to just relax and enjoy the moment." Jason couldn't agree more. They sat there for a long moment in deep thought, enjoying each other's company. Karma's eye began to feel heavy as she snuggled up against Jason's warm embrace. Sighing, she allowed her body to give in and fell in a blissful slumber. And for once, no nightmares plagued her every thought.

••••
*1 "Gratias tibi" ~ "Thank you"