[7 years later - Yogol]

"So, that's the end of my story."

"That's... anticlimatic father." Gren (Bridget's daughter) said. "No final fight. No secrets exposed. No truths. No----"

Kei pressed his finger on Gren's lips. "Ssshhh. I'm brought down the empire. Then I had you kids. And now we're here. Tada!"

"I didn't grow fat! Look!" Kori stood up and lifted up her shirt to show her belly. "See!"

"That's because you're a wild child! So full of energy."

"So, that's how you met Miss Lena," said Colin (Polin's daughter, 1st child). "But Dad... How could you! My name is similar to Mom! Only a change on the first letter!"

"I made a promise with your mom. Don't blame me if she wasn't creative." Kei shrugged.

"Papa! Papa! Did mama find home!? Did she? Did she!?" One of two arachne children, Shinra (oldest of the two), asked.

"Yes she did. When your mama was having you, she wanted to give birth where she once lived."

"Me too?" Shinra's sister, Beltra, also asked.

"Yes, you too." Kei rubbed Beltra's head.

"Okay now. Go to bed. It's late. My story is done. *YAWN*"

All the children groaned.

"Don't give me that. I'm sleepy, you're sleepy. We're all sleepy. Besides, tomorrow will be the anniversary of the creation of this empire. Food, fireworks, and lots of people to meet." Kei sighed.

The children began heading to their beds and continued their own talks in the night.

The next day was the largest celebration of the year, the creation of Kei's empire, Vezul!

Kei, his family, and few other known individual were currently eating breakfast.

"I don't get why we had to celebrate? A party is nice but I considered everyone's birthdays to be worth celebrating." Kei groaned.

"Come now, don't be a child. A lot of people will be arriving soon," Bridget said.

"Okay kids, finish your breakfast and ready for school!" Polin called out.

"Mom, today is a holiday. The next two days as well!" Colin reminded her mother.

"Oh yeah... Sorry, a bit of a habit. Teehee."

The children had no private tutors except when it comes to learning magic or fighting. Kei resoluted decided to create a public education system to be access to all. It's also mandatory until they reached a certain level of basic education.

***

Everyone who had the misfortune to meet Kei when Deco Parade was conquering the land, had to come to celebrate the creation of Vezul. No matter how they don't want to every year, especially those who had to make the long trip.

Eluvia's new queen, Elen, Lady Chelin and her children, the Drawf King and his family, various former rulers of Islands of Kitar, Lena, and so forth. Some people brought family members or close friends because, well, it will be a very small crowd if they didn't show up.

The citizens were celebrating on the ground, while Kei and the distinguished guests will be 'partying' in the castle.

"Wow, Kirin. You're grown to look more like your mother," said Elen.

"Thank you. It seems you look as lovely as always." Kirin said back.

Elen and Kirin stood next to a table where the punch was at and talked about what been happening at home.

"I don't see the point of all this. Isn't it the day he gloats in front of our faces?" Elen blurted out.

"I don't think so. Is Kei really the gloating type?"

"Well hello princesses. Nice to meet you all." Lena popped into their private conversation.

Elen and Kirin greeted back and became wary of her. For the first 4 years of working for Kei, Lena worked day and night. The whole handling of the slaves was stabalized and the reins moved from her hands to someone else. She was promoted! To what? To administrator of Yogol! The capital of Vezul Empire! She became part of Kei's inner circles.

"Don't give me that, I was a princess afterall. I'm not Kei's mole or anything," Lena said.

"I know, Handler of the Slaves."

"Ouch, Princess Elen. Really, do I look like I had a choice back then?" Lena hated that title, a lot of human slaves thought she betrayed them. But those who knew Kei, pitied the girl. Not only working under Kei directly but also looked upon by her own race with contempt.

Lena shrugged it off and reinvigorated herself. "Now, I'm someone with power! The administrator of Yogol! Impress?"

"No." Both Elen and Kirin said at the same time.

"After a few years of this job, I might get something better. Maybe I become a duke or have my own castle?"

"You're quite... cheerful. Despite your own empire was destroyed." Kirin exclaimed.

"If it wasn't destroyed, I'm just another pawn of my father. I'll probably be married off." Then Lena talked in whisper towards Kirin. "On the side note, I talked to Lady Chelin. There were talks about marriages between you and Kei at home. Is that true?"

"What! Kirin is that true?" Elen was surprised and a bit horrified.

Kirin sighed. "Talks, yes. But nothing for sure. I hope it doesn't happen."

"In all the years I've known Kei, he didn't seem to be an awful guy. Not as awful as my father who had many lovers and children from who knows where. I'm kinda surprised Kei still has a small family today. How about you Queen Elen? You have yet to be betroth."

"There was someone I had in mind, but I don't think it would work out."

The three girls continued to chat with drinks in hand until the host arrived.

The lights dimmed and the bright white balls of flame appeared around Kei and his family walking onto a stage.

"Good evening to you all. Thank you all for coming. Today is the celebration of the foundings of Vezul Empire. And you know... I'm pretty sure the memories you all have are of corpses, killing, and submission." Kei waved it off. "But that was a long time ago. Eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves for the next two days here in Yogol."

Then the crowd started to clap, but very slowly.

Come on guys. It's only been 7 years. What's up with this slow clapping!

Kei and his family started to mingle with everyone else, despite this awkward feelings they're getting from most of the visitors. But Kei's kids were isolated by other children.

Kei can't help but strolled over to his children, since... nobody wanted to talk to him! He can feel it!

"Some party huh." Kei leisurely said.

"I don't understand why the other children are scare of us. Isn't it better to form a better relation than pushing us away?" Gren said, after analyzing the other children's actions and behaviors.

"This is sad." Beltra drooped her head and shoulders.

Vetros came and patted Beltra's head. "No one wants to go near me. I understand too. Why do I come?"

"Don't look at me. You can always walk away. Even I feel like it!" Then Kei clapped to get his kids' attention. "Okay, who wants to go into city? Street food, games, and music and dancing. Doesn't that sound more fun!"

All the children cheered and was happy to leave this dreary place. Even Vetros was smiling. Right before Kei leaved with everyone, someone grabbed his wrist.

"Where do you think you're going?" Said Bridget.

"To have fun."

Bridget looked at Kei, Vetros, and then the children. They really set to go and have fun outside. Bridget sighed and let go of Kei's wrist.

"Fine. Please, keep the children out of harm," Bridget said in a worried tone.

"If people planned to harm the children, then they should be prepared to received a worser fate!" Kei grinned.

Not so long after Kei and the rest left, Polin, Jacklin, Lena, Elen, and Kirin began heading outside!

With more and more people beginning to leave, Bridget thought to herself, Was this hopeless in the beginning?

Bridget walked towards the balcony and saw the excitement of the whole city. Cheers and music can be heard from the distance.

Bridget then decided. She walked towards the stage in the ballroom to get whatever guests were left, their attention.

"Thank you who came and still continued to be here. But, I believe the festivity that is holding outside will be more entertaining. But, I warn you, don't cause trouble. We have our men scattered throughout the castle and city to catch any troublemakers." Bridget said with daggers in her eyes.

"Now, excuse me. I want to find my family." Then Bridget left as well.

***

The streets was bustling with activity! Even the slaves were getting in the mood. it was also a holiday for all slaves to not work at all.

Bars and restuarants were filled, lines were made at all kinds of vendors, crowds gathered around musicians, bands, and entertainers.

Once the citizens saw their royal family walking among them, their cheers got louder! They greeted, bowed, said their thanks, and even gave out free food for them! Some girls were bold enough to kiss Kei! Then, Kei's kids surrounded him from other predators. The kids were always worried everytime their father goes out. Every single-woman was a potential new mother! They thought their family was big enough.

The whole group was going towards the center plaza, where most people gathered to watch the fireworks.

"Long time, no see Elen, Kirin. Kind of a nice celebration." Kei said in joy.

"Better than the one in the castle," Elen spoke indifferently.

Kei playfully elbowed her. "You got that right. Really, it's nice seeing you two. I remembered that beautiful golden ring around your neck."

Elen smacked Kei's arm. "You mean a slave collar! I don't want to remember!"

"Sorry, sorry. It looks like your parents are searching for ya. See ya!" Then Kei walked away.

"What's that all about?" Elen muttered.

Elen and Kirin's parents then appeared in front of Elen and Kirin, bringing food.

***

Kei then finally gathered all his family, even Bridget who was wondering around searching for them.

With food and drinks in hand, they sat on a few benches that people were happy to give away.

Then the fireworks began. Flashes of different sorts of colorful lights in the sky with a bang. People 'ooh' and 'ahh' with each display. Even witches performed a flight choreography in the sky with their magic.

While the rest of the world felt melancholy this day, the people in Yogol were thrilled.

Kei sat close to his wives and children and watched the light shows in the sky.

This is good. This is fine.

A life of comfort and leisure was in Kei's future. His only worried was how his children would grow up. But, one step at a time.