A Question of Faith
Something wasn't right.
They had left the capital of Seinne; its streets filled with celebration and laughter, and as they wandered through the forests and the valleys on the way home, all they heard was the soft breeze and birdsong. The harsh din of battle had faded, hopefully never to be heard again.
The world had been restored - filled once again will vibrant emotion, colour and sound.
But something wasn't right and it was hard for Laura to identify.
If the world had been made whole, once again a delicate balance of order and chaos, why then did it feel like her own world had collapsed?
Even in the broad light of day, walking companionably with Aran, she couldn't help but shiver. Her mind, despite all her efforts, remained fixated on their last battle.
She could have prayed for understanding - prayed for comfort - prayed for peace from this nagging uncertainty.
She had tried, but stopped when she came to the sad realization that there was no point.
Ever since she was a young child, Laura had been told lies.
The goddess was kind.
The goddess forgave.
The goddess loved.
But now Laura knew the truth.
The goddess was not kind, she was cold.
The goddess did not forgive, she judged.
The goddess did not love, she dominated.
Laura would never forget - could never forget - the sight of Her.
She was tall and regal as befitted a goddess, but Her eyes were dead - completely bereft of compassion.
Could this then be the being she had prayed to for solace since she was a young child?
Goddess or not, Ashera's divine spirit had dissipated into the ether as Ike struck Her avatar down with Yune's blessing.
And still, Laura pondered, her power - and that of the other saints and seekers- remained.
She still had her healing and her light - long thought to be solely the grace of the goddess - as reliable as ever and possibly stronger.
But what was the origin of this power if not the gods? All that remained was the power deep in her heart.
Looking up, she noticed Aran staring at her, his forehead creased with concern.
"Laura? Are you feeling alright?"
"Oh, yes," she said, finding that for the first time in a long time she actually meant it. " I'll be fine."
Without the capricious whim of the gods for guidance, humanity would have to begin taking care of itself and each other. And perhaps the selfless gifts of healing remained as a reminder or Mankind's own divinity.
Characters and concepts copyright Nintendo and Intelligent Systems.
Used without permission.