‘ whether you’re blossoming or struggling, i’ll stay with you. i’ll keep on loving you. ’ ( from hydaelyn ! )
He remembered it clearly.
The last encounter he’s had with the Mother Crystal before her soul dissipated into nothingness. Her light blinding yet warm, promising that in spite of her existence’s end, all of her will remain. In the coolness of water, the sharpness of breeze. The tender embers and the sturdy soils. While no longer around to shelter Eitherys as it were, her guidance will remain with them, remain with him.
As he sat against a tree and took comfort in the shade, he thought about the conversations he could’ve had with her. How he regretted being unable to answer the question she had asked way back then, failed to tell her how all the struggles and hardships weren’t enough to tarnish the greatness which followed. How much of his life was touched with burdens he didn’t think he could’ve survived carrying and still able to see it as a gift, a gift from her.
While the decision brought forth agony throughout and broke more than just lives and bonds, he ought to forgive her, but it was not his place to. The weight of her decision has always been hers to carry alone. Was it hard? He wanted to ask her. Wanted to apologize that it took this long for him to carry her hopes, to receive the mantle of her dreams and humble wishes. She can rest now. From here, he’ll continue her legacy, as Azem had done for her as Venat.
He clutched Azem’s crystal on his palm, remembering to carry on with the smiles of the people who once fought for the sake of their star and its people. The sacrifices they have made. The pain which lingered and divided them with no way of going back. All of it for the person who set aside her own feelings for the greater good, as ambitious and horrid the costs were. To tell the truth, even now he’s not sure if he’d succeed. But without her in his life now, there’s no try, only do. Will this world even need him anymore?
To carry onward... His gaze lifted to witness the brewing horizon, how every speck of life never fails to remind him of her. Her voice staying in his head in spite of knowing fully well that there’s no way for her to return. Was it worth it? Is this the future that she dreamed of? Waited long, long years to achieve? Such faith. The overwhelming trust is why they’ve won. This love, no matter how distant now... will embrace him wheresoever he goes.
No other life I could ask for, Venat...