text: [Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist, war]
  
  Five years pass...
  
  It's been ten years since you took control of Aftermath and many changes have come about.
  
  Without Velzix's brutal leadership, his realm soon broke apart. Demon leaders fought amongst themselves and became easier to deal with for the Grand Alliance. Little by little territory was liberated. However you were not idle and you also took pieces of Velzix's former territory.
  
  Due to all the problems caused by Velzix a new order was enacted by the Grand Alliance. No more chances are being taken and the civilized world has a zero tolerance policy on demons. Demons are to be killed on sight anywhere they are found. Even the so called "nice ones". Any government found tolerating their presence will be found guilty of demonology and invaded.
  
  This lead to a few misguided liberal types claiming that it was infringing on certain rights, but considering the increasingly draconian Zalan Empire had pretty much taken complete control over the Grand Alliance at this point, they had final say in the matter and executed all such protestors. The Grand Alliance is now merely a name much like Vampire Clans. In reality, it's the "Zalan Empire and its little friends that better do what it says Alliance".
  
  Speaking of the Vampire Clans, since your total destruction of their last remaining enclave, their influence has completely left this world. You've noticed a reduced effectiveness in Grand Alliance strategy because of this despite that they've become more united in recent years. Except for the near mindless bestial ones that roam the countryside they're effectively extinct. Still, you feel no need to show them mercy and bring them under your control. When one is found, you have it destroyed. The treachery of the Ghoul King has brought this genocide upon their "race."
  
  Your letter to your family was never replied to, but you are aware it was received. You don't know exactly how the truth was spun, or who exactly was involved. But you do know your Dad has a statue erected of him in the Zalan capital stating how he nobly gave his life fighting Velzix. Funny how mad men can be turned into heroes so easily.
  
  Your sister is a general of a Grand Alliance army now, which of course continues to attack you despite some of your attempts at coming to some sort of peace agreement.
  
  The fools won't even listen to reason. There's no way the Grand Alliance can win this war. You've only been growing in power and show no signs of stopping. Even with their stabilized internal struggles under the Zalan Empire's iron fist they still won't be able to defeat you. The world has gone mad and you're the only one making sense anymore. They call you a villain and evil, but from what you've seen, you're no different than any of the other leaders in power. You're just better at it.
  
  Maybe you should turn the world into a giant graveyard.
  
  Everyone thinks of you as a monster anyway, you see no reason to disappoint...
  
  "Catalina, I think it's time we finish this war once and for all." You say walking into her study.
  "Oh you do, do you? Well, I figured that it was coming eventually. So is there any specific way we're going about this?"
  "Yeah, we just make a massive push and don't stop until every living thing is dead."
  "Wow. Everything?"
  "Everything. I gave the world of the living the chance for peace and they don't seem to want it. Well I'm tired of fighting, so if the only way to get some peace is to kill everything so be it!"
  "Well, I mean what happens if some people surrender? I mean you'll still allow them to live like you usually do right?"
  "What? What's with this line of questioning Catalina? You've never been one to wince at grand scale carnage."
  "...I know, but I..."
  "Alright, out with it."
  "Well I mean after we destroy the Grand Alliance, what then? There will be nothing else to do. I mean do we just reign over a land of the dead until the end of time?"
  "Sounds about right."
  "I dunno, is that our only option?"
  "For fuck's sake Cat, what the hell did you become a necromancer for then?"
  "Because much like you I probably didn't feel like I had much in common with people and I could feel a pull towards the dark art of necromancy."
  "Well what's the problem?"
  "...there isn't a problem...it's just I feel like the end is coming soon and question what I've accomplished in my life. I mean other than genocide what have I done?"
  "You're Queen of the Dead! What more could you want?"
  "Yeah, queen. Big whoop. I'm basically a glorified concubine for a..."
  "Damn it Catalina I've NEVER thought of you as that! You know I cherish you and all of you have to offer. I never could've gotten this far without you." you say holding on to her and looking into her eyes.
  
  "...I know...it's just in some ways I see you starting to change and I don't mean your general loathing of the living either. I mean you've always been powerful, more powerful than me, but it's different. It's like you're becoming something else. I sometimes think your path is going to differ from mine to a degree that we will no longer be able to be together."
  
  For a moment you forget about your problems and address Catalina.
  
  "Catalina my beautiful queen...no matter what happens I shall never leave you." you say and kiss her.
  "And I shall never leave you...Okay, where are we going to attack?"
  
  While you've temporarily reassured Catalina's feelings, you do wonder if she isn't right. Will there come a day when you and her will have so many differences that you won't be able to be together anymore?
  
  You wonder if you've been taking some things for granted. You have everything you could ever need or want. Maybe you don't need to go on the attack. The Grand Alliance surely does not have the strength to defeat you; you doubt it would even attempt to expend all its resources in trying.
  
  Sure you might have to continue to fight them, but when you think about it, would it be less tedious than an existence without any conflict?
  
  > call off the attack
  You realize something. You've won. You don't need to commit worldwide slaughter. In fact at this point you'd rather just give it all up in exchange for peace and quiet with Catalina. And you know the place you could do such a thing.
  
  "Catalina, let's forget all this."
  "What?"
  "I'm saying fuck this shit. I'm getting bored with it, there's not really a challenge anymore, so what's the point? Let's just leave."
  "Well where are we going to do that?"
  "Let's go to that hidden Vampire Clan fortress. Nobody else is using it and all it needs is a little fixing up. I can easily set up the magic to hide it again."
  "Easily eh? Boy you have come a long way. I remember when you cast that spell in enchantment class and caused all those frogs to attack the professor."
  "Boy you're never going to let me forget that are you? I still think those were a species of killer frogs and they would've attacked anyway."
  "What? Those were pygmy Eraw frogs! They're one of the most benign creatures on the planet! YOU turned them into killers!" Catalina laughs.
  "Yeah, well he deserved it anyway. He was going to fail me."
  "I'm surprised he didn't after that, though he probably was a little afraid of you. Guess you always had it in you even back then."
  "Yeah...well you ready to go?"
  "Wait we're just leaving? Shouldn't we make arrangements or something first?"
  "Like I said fuck it, let all these necromancers fight over it. If one of them thinks they can try to take my place then let 'em. I predict it'll all fall apart within a year though. They can't be me."
  "No they can't. Let's go."
  
  You and Catalina then press the key to the old vampire fortress. Fortunately it doesn't need too much fixing up and you have it restored in no time. It is from here where you and Catalina stay to watch the world events unfold in fascination.
  
  Just as you predicted your dominion of the dead collapsed due to infighting. To your surprise Trelik popped up again and amusingly he even claimed he'd destroyed you and Catalina. Even more amusingly he was one of the first usurpers to die during the civil war.
  
  The Grand Alliance took advantage of the situation and eventually broke the stranglehold that the dead once held over the living. Your sister stormed the gates of Aftermath itself and reclaimed it. She became a hero of epic proportions. You're glad. You're glad you made this decision. You didn't want to have to kill her or your Mom.
  
  The world didn't immediately go back to normal though. Your actions have had repercussions and there yet still remains areas of the world where necromancers rule, possibly the undead will always have a strong influence in some areas, but the threat of the end of all life is no longer a possibility. Your own powers seem to have grown a bit weaker, make no mistake, you are still very powerful. Possibly still the most powerful being on the planet, but with the rise of life once again, you do feel a change, and you don't mind it.
  
  The years pass and you and Catalina are content to just watch the world go by and enjoy each others' company undisturbed. One day though, Catalina's life force is giving out and she does not wish to continue her existence into undeath like you and you certainly understand.
  
  You and her say goodbye and then you promise you will soon join her. After burning her body you sit on your throne, you write one last thing in your journal about why you did what you did in case anyone should find this.
  
  Then you concentrate and will yourself to die. It takes some effort, but eventually you feel a release and your powers are fading completely.
  
  "I'm coming home Catalina."
  
  At last, death has died.