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āA second return, but what for? And for whom was I brought back?ā
ćÉĪ¹Ī±ĘĻgĻ Ń cĻĘĻŃ:#0C94CC ā ŃŠ½ĻĻ gŠ½Ń cĻĘĻŃ #CC0C2Eć
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
ćÉĪ¹Ī±ĘĻgĻ Ń cĻĘĻŃ:#0C94CC ā ŃŠ½ĻĻ gŠ½Ń cĻĘĻŃ #CC0C2Eć
|| Azalea|| Nano.ripe ||
Elise saw the process before of course so she knew about it and knew what to expect. She had seen a few souls undergo the Mist Therapy before, and watched as they were relieved of their pain and their suffering. "Heh." Garrel sneered in her head, a constant presence on her conscience. "So why haven't you gotten rid of me yet? It's because you know all I say is true, right?" The emptiness, the hatred, the guilt. It all of course was true, and she did not need a voice in her head telling her that. Who even was she? She was a mask that the others decided that they liked. But even so, she needed to at least be okay for the wedding. Even if it meant getting rid of the voice of truth in her head, she could still know what the truth was despite that.
Kore nodded and even Serenity seemed a bit more relaxed as they walked through what appeared to be a field full of mist and flowers. You could almost forget that you were at the top of the Sentinel Tower. "It will be okay. I am sure the rainbow roller coaster will be available again next year." Elise said to Winter with a slight smile, nodding. "It was my former Servant's request, and a gift for the new Lady of Olympia, how could I say no?" Kore offered a gracious smile, then closed her eyes. "This ceremony is one that allows the dead and fallen to release their regrets, doubts, and pains into the mist and to be cleansed." Gone was the normal silly Kore, this was the Heir of Mercy showing exactly what her profession was. "So that all souls may one day be cleansed and begin anew."
Elise took a deep breath and sat down, allowing herself to relax. This was like a cleansing, except for the soul rather than for the body. Kore began a chant of some old ancient language, and it felt almost as if the flowers and grass was growing around them, embracing her. Although the language was impossible to know, somehow, they all knew it regardless. Think of a regret. A fear. A doubt, the lyrics spoke. Bring them to the top of your mind. Her empty self, a mask with no face. A broken eagle with black wings, a crown she no longer deserved. Claude, alone on Earth, left behind as the last Hresvelg. She could see them all clearly as if her eyes were open, the mist taking the shape of those loose threads.
The song was in an unknown language but they could all understand it. "Touch them." Kore chanted. "Accept them, destroy them, do whatever feels right." Elise knew what she needed to do. She reached for the mask, breaking it with her hands, the mist dispersing. Already she could feel it. She might be an empty shell, but maybe it was okay. The pain was numbed by the mist. It no longer hurt - it simply was. She reached for the eagle, and pulled it in. The pain returned, stronger and sharp. It was something she would have to work on. She would need to earn that part of her back. Last was Claude. She took a deep breath and blew him away. The pain faded, feeling less like a vice and more like an old wound. She was letting go of it. He had his own life. And she had her own responsibilities now.
The ceremony was over. Elise opened her eyes, not realizing she had fallen asleep. Most souls did for one last rest before ascending to the next stage. Serenity was still in tears - no doubt many of her struggles had to do with her family that she lost and could not protect. She lost them all during the apocalypse. "Thank you very much, Kore." The Heir of Mercy nodded gracefully. "Any time, my dear Servant. You're welcome here whenever you wish." She was not a servant anymore, but it still felt nice.
"How did it go?" Elise asked Winter and Serenity, feeling calmer and firmer than before. Maybe she was empty, but maybe it was just an opportunity to become whatever she wanted. "Did it help you two?"