It was waiting on her bed when she finally arrived home. Her eyes began to brim with tears and her small hands trembled as she took the parchment in her hands.

A letter. After all that had happened...and he leaves her a letter. She sat on the corner of her bed, uncharacteristacally quiet.

My dearest Sanaki,
If you are reading this, then I am dead and my heart is brimming with emotion. On one hand, it means that I failed, that Ashera was defeated and this imperfect world allowed to continue, this fills me with sorrow, because we, the Laguz and the Beorc have truly earned the judgement we were dealt. On the other hand, it means you are alive and so, in that way, I am ecstatic. Your life, Sanaki, means more to me than almost anything else on heaven or earth.
Sanaki, my empress, you are the world to me. You have always been the light in my life, ever since the day you were born. I love you. Even now, though I am dead, I still love you.
I told you about your grandmother, Altina. I told you that she was the greatest woman to ever live. That she was a guiding light in this world, unparalled by any other. I stand corrected. You, Sanaki, you are so much greater than your ancestors. You have outdone Altina and you have outdone me. The greatest in my line, little Sanaki, is you.
Rule with a clear head, my dearest. I know that if anyone can protect both our peoples, it is you. You restored the bond between Heron and Beorc. You, singlehandly, removed a stain that had haunted our kingdom since before you were born.
You're incredible. Both Zelgius and I are so proud of you. We always have been. He wants me to tell you that he has never been more proud in his life. You are the daughter either of us wished for. The Grand-daughter I had always wanted, you, Sanaki, you are the light in my heavens. I love you. I know that no matter what happened, if you are reading this, you will rule Beginion well. You will look after her people as no one else ever could.
Don't worry that you not the "true apostle" that's ridiculous. You ARE the chosen one. You ARE the only person truly able to take care of Beginion. And more than that, you are the only person who ever made me wonder if I'm doing the right thing by helping judge this world.
All my love,
Sephiran,

The ink was smudged by tears. Some were hers, some were not. She could picture Sephiran, leaning over the desk, tears in his eyes as he wrote. she was only 13...she couldn't do this. Weeping, the young empress pulled her knees to her chest and cried pitifully into her white dress.

She could feel his arms around her. Hugging her close, like the father he had come to replace. In her mind she could see him, stroking her hair as she wept, like he used to. When things were to hard, when she was tired of being the ruler of a large nation. Tired of being a demi-god to her people. Tired of the senators, tired of.... tired of everything.

She was to young for this. To young to have her only family ripped away from her. Killed by her friends because it was the only thing any of them could do. She didn't know how to rule with out him. She didn't know how to do anything without him.

She didn't remember falling asleep. But she sat up, the letter still in her hand and her eyes red and puffy from the tears. The salt had rubbed her face raw, but she didn't care.
"I won't disappoint you Sephiran." She swore to the empty room. "I'll be the best empress Tellius has ever seen. And then..." she began to sniffle again, "And then when I die...and see you again I'll..." tears dripped down her nose on to her silk sheets, "I'll....I'll hold my head high and...and....not be ashamed in front of you,"