DISCLAIMER: The author's imagination and passion are the only sources of inspiration for this novel, which is a work of dedication. Parallels between these pages and the past or present may be apparent to some readers, but they are completely coincidental. You are free to interpret this art anyway you see fit, and it is meant for your enjoyment.
The "Cosmic Courtroom" had disappeared as swiftly as a dream before dawn, leaving behind an almost palpable silence. The warm, lavender hue of a twilight that belonged to no one in the universe had taken the place of the bleak, sterile light of the Narrative Auditor. The ancient stones of Hylde Manor hummed as the frequencies of five distinct dimensions eventually clicked into a single, steady gear, causing the manor to stand silent. The "Open-Source" declaration had brought stability to the situation, but it had also sparked a fresh, electric tension that was audible in the corridors.
With her hands resting on a polished oak desk, Reinn sat in her own solar. Once an unorganized smudge, the Ink of Free Will had now become a permanent, shimmering imprint on her inner wrist, throbbing with a dim, prismatic light. Eyldion was carefully arranging a pile of letters next to her. The five pillars of her new life—a dragon's wing, a frost-wolf's skull, a diamond's edge, a spectral anchor, and a silver gear—were represented by distinct seals on each package.
Eyldion replied, "The rifts are stable, Sister," in a remarkably quiet voice devoid of his typical lighthearted snark. His attitude was one of intense concern mixed with pride as he gazed at her. "But the world is waiting. You've claimed your freedom from the Author, but now you face a different judge: The Reader. The ambiguity of the 'Open-Source' life can only last so long before the story demands its conclusion."
The five men who had resisted their desire for her emerged one by one on the balcony, surrounded by the Nexus's whirling, aurora-like hues. This was not a high-stakes theft, a strategic conflict, or a humorous pursuit. At this point, the "Meta-Romance" shed its clichés and transformed into a solemn vow.
Giywon took the lead. The oppressive gold of his office no longer covered the Sun of the Empire. His bright aura was tempered by a new, modest wisdom, and he donned a plain tunic. He saw Reinn as the woman who had taught him how to be a human being rather than as a treasure to be acquired for his realm. Giywon stated, "I no longer ask you to be my Empress because the script demands a royal wedding," in a firm voice. "I ask because my heart has no sun without you. I am ready to be whatever you need—an Emperor at your side or a man at your feet."
With the raw, ancient strength of his royal frost bloodline radiating from his blue eyes, Dyierrean stood in the shadow of the stone archway. He had been her shield for three seasons, a "monster" that existed to keep her safe. He mumbled, "The ice has melted, Reinn," as the cold air surrounding him turned into a light mist. "I don't want to be the weapon that guards your door. I want to be the home you return to when the fighting is done. My blood is yours, and my silence is your sanctuary."
For the first time since arriving, Ji-Hoon stowed his tablet away and adjusted his glasses. In the darkness, the wealthy CEO, who relied on calculated risks and the logic of stock markets, was wonderfully human. Ji-Hoon said, "I stopped calculating the odds a long time ago," with a tiny, sardonic smirk on his lips. "The only logic that remains is that I cannot return to a world where you are just a memory. I offer you stability, Samantha, but more than that—I offer you a future that we build together, brick by digital brick."
Killian Thorne's roguish smile softened into an expression of unadulterated, adult affection as he leaned against the stone railing. Although he had always stood for freedom, the Pirate King of the Ghost Ship now appeared to be searching for a place to anchor. Killian remarked, "The horizon is vast, Lioness," in a musical yet somber tone. "But I've realized the only destination I care about is wherever you are standing. I'll sail you to the stars, or I'll stay in this harbor forever. The choice is yours, but the heart is mine."
At last, Leo remained at the doorframe, his hands stuffed in his leather jacket pockets. He was the "Fixer," the person who knew the "Real Samantha" the best. "I've spent seasons fixing your story, Sam," Leo remarked, a loving, nostalgic look in his eyes. "I've seen every version of you. And the truth is, I don't care about the 'Lioness' or the 'Lady.' I just love the girl who fought for her soul. I'm done being the guy in the background. I want to be the one on the last page."
At the end of the epilogue, the five men are standing in the Hylde Manor's Great Hall. The tournament has ended. They have a deep, masculine regard for one another. They have all agreed that she had the last say.
Reinn moves her gaze over each one as she descends the huge staircase. She perceives five distinct routes, five distinct interpretations of a "Happy Ending."
Reinn states, "I used to think my story ended when the Author died," with the maturity of a woman who has genuinely taken her own life. "But a story doesn't end with a battle. It ends with a vow. I'm ready to choose. I'm ready to start a family. I'm ready to be a wife."
She glances at the door, where the future is illuminated by the first rays of the morning sun.
"Season 4: The Final Vow. Just five men, one woman, and the choice that will define a dynasty. It's time to go home."