76. EPILOGUE

Another week passed. A week that had no end. August is tired, August is annoyed, but he can't do anything. Because he will still be caught and forced to be treated, but only this time much longer.

But today. Today ! He heard the most cherished words for him.

--- It seems that you will soon be able to be discharged. - Dr. Priyanka was standing by his bed and her words were like the singing of angels.

--- Yes ! Finally! No more hospital food, gymnastics and lots of pills ! Donuts ! I'm coming ! - he threw up his hands in joy, but the Doctor lightly hit him on the head.

--- Don't be clownish.

--- What's the big deal ? I'm just happy.

--- Okay, wait. I'll fill out the paperwork and call Pearl. She'll pick you up.

And although the whole procedure took at most 15 minutes, for August it was days. But now he is free, walking next to Pearl, home.

--- So, how's your mood ?

--- Just great ! I'm free ! And the first thing I'll do is fill my stomach with junk food !

--- I'm happy for you. But first let's go home, everyone is waiting for you.

They quickly reached the house. August quickly opened the door, and within seconds he was attacked... attacked with hugs.

--- August ! I missed you so much !

--- Are you okay ? Does it hurt anywhere ?

--- Nyehehe ! You're finally back !

--- Dude ! You missed so much !

--- Do you know how much you missed training ? It's time to get back to work !

--- He's back ! He's back ! He's back !

--- Welcome home. We missed you.

--- ...

Literally all the gems knocked him down and squeezed him in their arms. Their excessive display of love was killing him. Literally.

--- Okay, give him some free space. He needs to breathe. - Pearl quickly saved him from a terrible fate.

--- You are my guardian angel. - he said, sitting on the floor and trying to absorb more oxygen.

--- Dude ! We need to have a party ! - Amethyst, as always, started with trumps.

--- Yes...and this is a good idea ! - and Stephen, as always, picked up on her idea.

--- We need to celebrate ! We have conquered the HomeWorld, we have imprisoned the White Diamond, we have protected the Earth. All this needs to be celebrated !

--- Agree. We are starting preparations for the holiday.

And just like that, when he returned, he was suddenly harnessed to cook food. He was the only one of all who more or less knew how to cook well. And instead of resting, he cooked until the damn evening !

The only thing the gems did was run errands for him. They brought the ingredients, helped a little, and just watched and went about their business.

--- Everything is ready ! We quickly sat down at the table and started eating ! Who was I cooking for !?

And the feast began. They decided to spend it outdoors, near the beach. Everyone was eating, drinking, having fun. We remembered the past, various funny situations, had fun as much as we could.

There was laughter everywhere, giggling, they could. He defended the Earth, Repelled the attack, Defeated HomeWorld. They deserve a rest.

August was sitting on the sand, looking at the small waves, a smile was on his face.

So much has been passed, so much has been experienced. He gained a lot, lost a little, found himself and his family. It was a wonderful adventure.

He was drinking something incomprehensible when someone pressed against him from behind.

--- What will happen next ? What are we going to do ? - Lapis put her head on his shoulder and stroked his torso.

--- I don't know and I don't want to know. We have a respite now, it's better to have fun and forget than to think and grieve.

--- What do you think will happen to us ? - Pearl sat down on his side and rested her head on his other shoulder.

--- Anything at all. The world is unstable, anything can happen.

--- And I think that everything will be fine. - Peridot lay down on his lap.

--- Most likely. I will hope so. For me, the main thing is now, because I don't care what happens later.

The three of them looked up at the stars. They sparkled and glittered, as if calling them to themselves.

--- Hey ! Why are you all so far away ! Come to us ! It's time to arrange a disco ! - Amethyst ran up to them and without asking them, led them along.

Everyone was smiling. Everyone was happy. It doesn't matter what happens after, what happened and what will happen. They have each other, and this is the most important thing.

" It seems that our adventure has come to an end. "

We slowly drifted away from August. His story has come to an end, his adventure is over for us. It's time to meet HIM.

......

You slowly opened your eyes. You are here again, in a dark but at the same time bright space. In a quiet but also noisy. He was sitting in front of you, he was waiting for you. And you, you were waiting for him.

[ So, what do you think about this story ? Did you learn something new ? Have you learned new feelings ? Have you seen Augustus and his friends ? ]

You tell him that you have a lot of opinions, and none of them are like the other.

[ I see. You said you wanted to learn something new when you came to me. Tell me, your goal, have you fulfilled it ? ]

You say yes and no. You say that you have seen and heard many other stories. Some were better. some were worse. This is just another story that you will put on your shelf.

[ Good. I think I can offer you something else. ]

HE raised his hands. He had one card in each of his hands. You couldn't see what these cards were, you understood. You had to make a choice.

[ You will make a choice, choose another adventure, another story. Make a choice, it all depends on you. ]

You think for a second and make your choice. He removes the other card and gives you yours.

[ An excellent choice. I'll wait for you. ]

Everything was gone. HE disappeared, the space disappeared, you disappeared. All that remains is a map and a new story.

It's time to tell a new story.