Author's Note: Well everyone, it's been a long and strange journey, but we're here at last. A great big THANK YOU to everyone who's reviewed!! The special participation award goes to Epiclesis, who will get that one-shot about how Yuan got his emotions back. To anyone else who's made it this far, a giant thumbs-up and I hope to see you (metaphorically) in the sequel!
In the innermost chamber of the Tower of Salvation, protected by the highest security Cruxis was capable of providing, Yuan knelt in prayer.
It was not to the Goddess that he prayed, though her figure stretched out before him in sleep. No, it was to the woman that had been made into the Goddess that he directed his prayer.
Martel, he thought, I have started down a path that will kill you.
I have no right to ask for forgiveness. I am doing it for the sake of the world, but it is also true that I am going to kill the woman I have always loved.
I can only pray that I am right, and that you are dead. A tear trickled down his face, but he paid it no mind. Once, I would have given everything to see that it was not so. My soul was nearly lost because of it, and for that as well I know I have no right to ask for forgiveness. Instead, I have tried to live my life doing what I think you would have believed in. I do not know if you would agree with me.
That is what hurts the most: not knowing. It could be that your revival would not mean the death of the Great Seed, in which case I am taking the wrong path. It could be that you are as Mithos claims, and eagerly awaiting rebirth, in which case I am surely betraying all of you. It could be that you approve of the Age of Half-Elves, in which case my interpretation of your final wish is completely wrong.
Or it could be that I am right, and my actions will mean your death.
Though I lack the right, I felt that some explanation was necessary. I know you cannot hear me, but it eases my mind to think that my prayer will reach you.
For the crime of establishing a system in your name that makes a mockery of the hopes and dreams you desired, I make no excuse. For my punishment, I have taken it upon myself to correct these wrongs.
I do not care if it means my death to oppose your brother. I believe what he is doing is wrong. I have planted the seeds of a movement that will, I hope, bring the Great Seed to germination and return prosperity to the worlds. I know this will destroy your body, but I cannot believe that you would want to live on in a state of near-death while the world suffers. You were never that kind of person.
If I am wrong, forgive me for my presumption. I only meant it because I love you.
If I am right, forgive me for causing your death. I mean it only because I love the things you stood for in life.
He knelt in silence for a moment longer, then stood up and turned his back to Martel.
Kratos was waiting for him outside the room. Dressed in his full Cruxis regalia, he stood with wings unfurled. One of the cures had worked, but Yuan didn't feel, at the moment, like asking which one. Kratos, of course, could read Yuan's emotions better than anyone else alive. He silently accompanied Yuan to the transporter.
Once they were outside the entrance to Yuan's private quarters, Kratos finally spoke. "I'm glad you're back," he said.
"Thank you," Yuan said, smiling a little at his oldest friend. He hesitated for a moment. "Kratos…."
"What is it, Yuan?"
Yuan shook his head. "Nothing." He waved to Kratos and entered the closest thing he had to a home.
Kratos stood by the door for a little while before returning to his own quarters, wondering what it was that had disturbed his friend so much.
In the Great Seed's chamber, Martel's spirit slept against the source of the world's mana, bound together, waiting for the time when they would be awakened.
The End