[Trace] Cascading Cataclysm 25 (End of Trace)

And Trace Taylor returned to the commune.

It wasn’t over just yet. There were a lot of things for her to deal with the moment she returned. First of all, she returned to the police station with Veronica Vargas, Adair Russell, and the rest of the high-levelled officer squad. They recounted what happened to Jeremy Barr, before holding a meeting about what to do next.

They prepared themselves for battle. Even if Samuel Diaz had sided with them against Noah Hawthorne, it was entirely possible the rest of the Precursors of Peace wouldn’t react the same way. They might have all listened to their Supreme Leader’s orders and burned down the commune. It might not happen, but it could happen as well. And that was the biggest issue.

So the commune needed to be ready for the worst. For when the Precursors of Peace returned from the Forsaken Sanctuary, it might be a bloody battle. A lot of things could have gone wrong. Word spread quickly, and fortunately, Elizabeth Evergreen returned just in time to help out.

The Swordsmaiden was level 30 now— a Blademistress. She was accompanied by Ken, Kat, and Jakob. The three of them offered their help to patrol and guard the commune while the redhead worked on the walls of the commune, reinforcing their defences.

“Man, you’ve really been through a lot while I was gone, huh?” Liz remarked as Trace rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you ran into another Bne Worldeater.”

“They’re called the Bnephilus,” the redhead said. “And if the Precursors of Peace activate the Gate to the multiverse, we will be fighting a lot more of those damn creatures.”

“So, what? We just can’t let them do that?” Liz raised a brow.

Trace pursed her lips. “I don’t know. I just hope things don’t come to that.”

Veronica and Jeremy worked overtime to prepare the commune for battle as well. Adair himself helped out where he could, but he occasionally paid the redhead a quick visit while she was building the wall.

“You’re really quite hardworking, Trace Taylor,” he chuckled. “No rest for the wicked, as they say.”

“Did you just call me wicked?” Trace said flatly.

He just scoffed at her joke. She smiled too— he was quite endearing with his antics the more she got to know him. He wasn’t a bad person. He had killed Noah’s brother because he had to. Because there was no other choice.

Trace could empathise with him in that sense.

“You have been under a lot of stress lately, Trace Taylor.” Adair gave her an approving look.

“Yeah, well, everyone has ever since the apocalypse.” She rolled her eyes back at him.

“Perhaps some other time, I could help you relieve—” He caught himself. “No, now isn’t the appropriate moment.”

“Appropriate moment?” She blinked.

But he just laughed softly to himself. “It is no matter.”

Trace wasn’t really sure what he meant by that. But Ex seemed to understand what was going on, much to her chagrin.

[You really are quite dense, Trace Taylor,] her AI said.

“What are you talking about?” She still didn’t get it.

There were a lot of things that needed to be done in the commune. Especially to prepare for a potential battle with the Precursors of Peace. And, of course, it attracted the attention of Elenora the Cursed Witch.

She emerged from The Evergreen Gun Range curious, confused, and all-around uncertain about what was going on. The Cursed Witch didn’t need to pressure Trace to explain what happened. Elenora simply listened, and she found out about the truth.

Trace realised this a bit too late for damage control. Elenora was already fully aware of the potential upcoming conflict when the redhead tried to speak to the Cursed Witch about it.

“I see,” Elenora said when she learned of what happened.

“So what happens now?” Trace asked, afraid of a potential battle.

“I made my promise.” The Cursed Witch shook head. “I will not shed a drop of blood of a member of your commune. However, I don’t believe I can stay here any longer.”

The redhead paused. “Oh.” For some reason, she felt a bit upset to hear that. “Are you sure you cannot stay?”

“You oppose Noah Hawthorne’s ideals, Trace Taylor. And perhaps for good reason. But I cannot in good faith side with you over him.” Elenora explained her stance simply. No animosity, but with an eerie calmness.

“But—” Trace started.

“Noah Hawthorne saved the life of my parents,” the Cursed Witch said. “I subscribe to his ideals. I do not know if they are truly flawed, and neither do you. We know not the truth. Not him, not me, and not you. So lest we clash in a battle of ideals, I shall split from the commune.”

“I… see. I’m sorry to hear that.” Trace felt a pang of guilt, but Elenora gave her a reassuring look.

“I enjoyed my time here, Trace Taylor. And I appreciate the assistance you have given me. I was quite surprised to see anyone stand up to defend me. But alas, with great regret, I must go.” Elenora gave the redhead a morose smile. “Perhaps I can convince Noah against acting brashly. But I cannot make you any promises.”

“Oh. Thank you.” Trace bowed her head. She was truly grateful when she said that.

And with that, Elenora left.

The redhead continued to labour on. She worked with Stanley and Meryl, building a tall and strong wall around the commune. She levelled, preparing herself for what was to come.

And when the Precursors of Peace finally returned from the Forsaken Sanctuary… they didn’t besiege the commune. Perhaps it was thanks to Sam’s help, or maybe it was because of Elenora. But Noah Hawthorne was still there. She spotted him at the head of the organisation, accompanied by both Sam and Elenora, however he didn’t actually attack the commune.

He did spot Trace and averted his gaze angrily. But a crisis was averted, much to Trace’s relief. They didn’t pursue the Gate either, and that was what Adair was glad to see.

With that, the worst was over, and the redhead could relax for a bit.

[(F) Hasty Design has reached level 5!

(E-) Magically Makeshift Materials has reached level 4!

(E-) Magically Makeshift Materials has reached level 5!

(E) Silent Construction has reached level 3!

Augur Architect has Reached level 15!]

Name: Trace Taylor

Race: Human (Earth A314)

Class: Adept Spellshot – Lvl 28

Vocation: Augur Architect – Lvl 15

Craft: Artificer – Lvl 14

Traits:

Strength: D-
Magic: C-
Endurance: E+
Vitality: E+
Dexterity: D+

Skills:

Class Skills:
(F+) Magically Enhanced Accuracy – Lvl 26
(E-) Quick Fire – Lvl 20
(E) Recall Weapon – Lvl 12
(E+) Vulnerability Vision – Lvl 18
(E+) Last in the Chamber – Lvl 13
(D-) Mystic Bullets – Lvl 19

Vocation Skills:
(F) Hasty Design – Lvl 5
(E-) Magically Makeshift Materials – Lvl 5
(E) Silent Construction – Lvl 3
(E+) Restoration and Creation – Lvl 3
(D-) Architect’s Hand – Lvl 8

Craft Skills:
(F-) Artificer’s Mind – Lvl 7
(E+) Blueprint Replication – Lvl 1
(E+) Upgraded Schematics – Lvl 5
(D-) Touch Enchantment – Lvl 3
(D-) Total Immersion – Lvl 4

* * *

The story didn’t end with that, of course. It would continue. Who knew how it would continue, but Trace knew something could happen again in the future. Whether it be the Esvol returning to Earth for more, or another of the Bnephilus breaking through a Dungeon. Maybe the Precursors of Peace were simply biding their time to get revenge on the commune in the future.

The redhead didn’t know what could happen. A myriad of things could happen that she didn’t expect. From random monster attacks to the Gate’s sudden activation. And that was why she was here.

[Where are we, Trace Taylor?] Ex asked, not recognising the area around her.

They were far from Liberapolis. It had taken her a while, but now she finally had time to leave the commune and pay someone a visit. It was the people who were supposed to be the most important in her life. But she had abandoned them just before the apocalypse began.

Just before Neo Genesis.

And Trace hadn’t seen them since.

Maybe it was Elenora’s words that drove the redhead to do this now. Or maybe  Trace’s worries had finally overflowed, pushing her to action after so much apprehension. Perhaps it was just that she had free time now, and that was it. But she was still here to see them.

Her parents.

Were they fine? It seemed so— a small commune of sorts had formed around the suburban neighbourhood, and they let her in, recognising her. After all, she had grown up in this area all her life. These were her neighbours. They led her further in to meet her parents as she grew nervous.

[Are you alright, Trace Taylor?]

“Just unsure how Mum and Dad would react, I guess,” she replied mentally.

[Most superheroes have strained relationships with their parents,] Ex said. [So if this conversation does not go well, then it will be fine. You will still be a perfect candidate for a superhero.]

“I am not a superhero,” Trace muttered back. “And I’d prefer if things went well.”

[I wish to be a superhero, Trace Taylor.]

“Maybe one day. But for now…” she trailed off. Raising her head, she stopped right before her barricaded house. Taking in a deep breath, she steeled herself and started forward.

She rapped on the door, and it creaked open. A pair of familiar figures whispered in a hushed voice— clearly nervous about who was visiting them. But they paused when they saw the intruder. When they saw their daughter.

They rushed out to hug her with tears in their eyes. She hugged them back, feeling her heart overwhelm with joy and relief.

“Mum, Dad,” Trace whispered with a smile. “I’m back.”

The End

Author's Notes:

The first time I've ever written "The End", and it's very bittersweet. Unfortunately, I was quite literally forced to rush the ending because of my mistakes a year ago from putting up a preorder for Trace on Amazon, along with the general lack of popularity for the series.

If I don't give Amazon a manuscript by tomorrow, I risk my entire Amazon account, so I had to rush to this ending as fast as I can. I had so much plans for Trace too, but the lack of popularity for the series makes it unfeasible to continue. I apologize. I still tried my best to delivery a satisfying happy ending to her story, wrapping up most of her character arc while still leaving an open-ended ending in case I ever want to pick the story back up in the future or rewrite it.

In any case, this is it. I am sorry if you enjoyed the series and felt this ending was rushed. I feel as terrible about it as you do. But also relived because of the pressure of having the Amazon preorder up because I stupidly didn't take into account all the shit that would be thrown at me last year by life. 

I was literally stress eating for the last few days because I was afraid I couldn't submit a manuscript in time.

Thank you for reading as always.