49

Felicia and Leiko arrived at the Gorgons’ lair just as a battered-looking Turgoth stumbled out of the labyrinth holding the Flame that he had plotted and fought to take possession of for so long.

The three of them stood for a moment, staring at one another, taking in the enormity of what had just happened and the scale of the catastrophe that had just been averted. Without a word, Turgoth stepped forward and handed the Flame to Felicia.

“Thank you,” she said, as she took it from him. “Are you alright?”

“For now,” he replied. “The Flame has helped to mend my wounds.”

“And Claudia?” she asked.

“Gone forever,” he said.

“We are all grateful to you, King Turgoth,” she said. “Let us go back to Utopia. Bull has gathered everyone, including all of your people. There is something that must be done.”

Felicia rode Pegasus on the ground, holding the Flame aloft as the others trotted behind. When they eventually entered the amphitheatre, they found everyone gathered and waiting, a huge crowd with all eyes staring at Felicia, with the Flame in her hands and Turgoth riding beside her.

“Please join me, King Turgoth,” Felicia said so that the whole crowd could hear and he followed her to the Wise Tree. Absolute silence had fallen over the whole amphitheatre as everyone waited to hear what would come next.

“Thank you all for waiting,” Felicia said to the crowd, still holding the Sacred Flame high for all to see.

“There’s been too much bloodshed!” she continued. “It began thousands of years ago because we squabbled and allowed jealousy, envy and evil to take root, until eventually they became our masters. We often do wrong without being aware of it. We let other sentiments overshadow love, which is always the most precious thing of all and the source of our happiness.

“As of today, the whole Land of the White Sun will be ruled only by love. It is within our power to achieve this and the Flame will always be here to help us put it into practice. The clash of arms will never again be heard here in Utopia among creatures of the Land of the White Sun.

“The mythical Gods have forgiven all our mistakes and have united us once more. The fair wind of reconciliation is blowing over us. Making up with an enemy is even more important than acquiring new friends. We are all children of the Great Creator and have the same rights.

“So, from this day forward, the Flame, which remains safe thanks to all of you, will be shared by all the inhabitants of the Land. When Sharkan children are born, we will give them the Flame and they will decide whether they want to receive it again at the age of eighteen - just like the Orizons.”

Felicia gestured at Turgoth, who looked deeply touched as he raised his arm to hold the Flame with her, both of them returning it to its resting place.

Everyone broke into spontaneous cheers of joy. How they celebrated! There were hugs and kisses and wild dancing. Ten days ago, they had been killing one another and a few hours before, they had come together to fight the real Evil as a united force, side by side. Now they were joined as one big family, as they were always meant to be.