Epilogue


Lily’s eyes popped open. Her pupils dilating wildly as they adjusted to the overhead light.

Taking in a deep, choking breath, her hands came up to her face.

“I died,” she said.

“That you did. Have no fear, though, I put you back together, and now you’re back in the land of the living,” Felix said happily, leaning over her. “Or so I hope. Got any extra parts I should know about? Probably didn’t make it back with you.”

Lily’s eyes snapped to him and held fast to him. “I don’t remember being dead… there wasn’t… anything.”

“I should hope not. Your memories are a result of your brain, not your soul. Want to sit up? That tray is pretty cold.”

Felix took a step back and picked up her hands, giving her a tentative tug.

Lily didn’t argue, and she got herself into a sitting position. “How long…?”

She hesitated, as if not wanting to ask the obvious question.

“About three weeks. Forgive me for the delay, but we had to get everything put back together before we could start resurrecting people. Didn’t have the points for it.”

Felix moved off towards the corner of a room and came back with a pair of jeans, blouse, socks, running shoes, panties, a bra, and a windbreaker.

“Sorry, I kinda raided your room for clothes,” Felix apologized, laying her clothes down next to her.

Lily looked down at herself, finally realizing she was in nothing more than a medical apron.

Turning his back to her, Felix walked over to the door. “So there you have it. I do have to apologize for something else, though. You had no file on record on whether you wanted to be resurrected or not. I chose for you.

“I was selfish and couldn’t think of a… a Legion without you.”

The rustle of clothes was all he heard behind him. Lily didn’t seem very talkative, and he could understand.

Not every day you’re brought back from the dead.

“The form. I… hadn’t decided on if I wanted to be brought back. Part of me was afraid that… well… I can’t imagine ripping a soul out of someone does me favors to get into heaven. I doubt asking to be resurrected like a zombie would make it any better, either.

“I forgive you, though. For both actions. Fill me in here, what happened? I remember we were attacking the base, but that’s it.”

“You were hit by a lightning bolt. Went through your head. Dead before you hit the ground.

“After that, we killed everyone, saved Kit, and got out.”

“Just like that?”

“Well, not quite just like that. I got shot. A lot. Getting shot hurts.

“Kit patched me up with illusionary blood and got me back to headquarters where Felicia stuffed me into a machine that put me back together. Took two days.

“Anyways, after we got out of that base, we gave No-Name a call to see if we could get bounty payouts for that entire base. Since the vast majority of them were all heroes.”

Felix shifted his foot from one to the other.

“Got a pretty large payout from that. Hit up auction after auction and bought anyone I could with a decent point value.

“Took some time, but we hit fifty thousand points last night. You’ve been in mint condition waiting. On ice, so to speak. Proverbial Sleeping Beauty.”

“Beauty, huh?” Lily asked, a small hint of amusement in her voice.

“Obviously. I’m making the rounds and going to start bringing people back. It’ll take some time, but we’ll get everyone back up on their feet.”

“Good. What ever happened to our money?” The sound of shoes squeaking on the ground was a good sign she was getting close to being done.

“Oh. That. It got unfrozen pretty quick after word spread that Legion eliminated the Guild of Heroes and everyone a part of it. The car auction went very well to boot. We’re flush with money and buying up as many new heads as possible to get our points up, so I can bring back our people.”

“Where’s Andrea? Or Victoria?” Lily asked from directly behind him.

“Andrea is in number forty-two, Victoria in thirty-two,” Felix said, pointing at the shelves in the wall. “I haven’t brought them back yet.”

“Wait. Am I first?”

Felix turned his head to the side, looking at her out of the corner of his eye. “Ioana was first. Felicia wouldn’t have left me alone until she was back with us.

“And to be fair, it was her tactics and doctrine that saw our people trained so very well.

“You’re first after Ioana. Andrea will be tomorrow. I miss her. Far more than I feared I would. She kept everything fun. Happy. Energetic.

“Today though, I needed my Lily. Hard to run this place without you.”

“Oh,” she said, eyeing him.

“That and you owe me a date. You’ve kept me waiting long enough.”

“Oh,” Lily said again, grinning now. “Everything is okay, then?”

“I wouldn’t say okay, but we’re definitely back on track. Only a matter of time now.”

“Which means we can go on our date tonight?”

“We can definitely go on our date tonight.

“Right after you hel—”

“Nope. Date first. Tonight. Work tomorrow.”

Felix shook his head with a smile and relented.

“Date first. Work tomorrow.”

“Now, where are you taking me? I expect to be spoiled. Spoiled rotten. I haven’t eaten in weeks. I’m sure I’m famished.”

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