Understanding
She was there again. Staring out through the Aerie, that same wistful look in his eyes. Sighing and shaking his head, Vez walked up next to her, staring out among the Aerie as well. She said nothing, just kept looking out, her hands clasped at calf level.
Vez, despite all his willpower, couldn't observe the Aerie that spread out before him. Her presence was paramount. She was impossible to ignore, until she let you ignore her. So, unlike every other time, he talked first.
"You follow every Monarch. Every pawn. Every fool who walks this doomed path. And I still don't know why."
...Nothing. She didn't reply, didn't even acknowledge his words. She just kept staring out, a look of longing for something Vez didn't understand. Nothing about the Emerald Herald was understandable. You just accepted it.
Clenching his fist until his knuckles popped, Vez began the path down to the Aerie, saying, "Don't be surprised when this pawn hollows like all the rest."
"You're no pawn."
Vez froze, surprise etched on his face. Turning back to look at her, she no longer had that wistful look, but a look of determination. Her eyes spoke of a purpose, a purpose Vez had not known of before.
"There is nothing about you that speaks of a pawn. You're weary, yet your spirit stays hardened. You're strength grows with every soul, yet you still think you're not built for a monarch yet. Your body has failed you before, but you never slow down, never rest. Unlike all others, you are no pawn. You never were."
Unclasping her hands, the Herald began down the path towards him. His armor felt heavier, the dust swirling around the Aerie suffocating. Her steps were light, yet they never faltered, her eyes never leaving his.
She stood before him, she being a head shorter than him but her presence making her seem larger, more powerful.
"Avezrix, you have something no other undead has. Something that drives your soul to survive, to escape this place."
Vez chuckled lightly, shaking his head again. "Every undead has a cause, Herald. I'm no different."
"Wrong." She stepped closer to him, her brown eyes serious yet filled with fire. "You have a reason. Any undead can make a cause. A cause doesn't look to the past, it keeps you running towards the future. But you have a reason."
His armor felt heavier still.
"A reason keeps you dedicated. Something you're obliged to fulfill, even if it means agony. Even if it means monotony. Even if it means death. Something you plan on returning to. You place your faith, you soul, in the hands of another. And they keep you going."
She gripped his wrist, opening his hand and dropping something in. She closed her other hand around his fingers, gripping tightly.
"And that is what I don't know. Your reason. It defines you, yet I still don't understand. When you first approached me on the cliff, I felt it. I didn't know what it was, but you were not another pawn. And that has kept me by your side."
Until this frail hope has withered.
She unclasped her hands from his, before turning back and walking up the path. Vez watched her, until she dissapeared over the edge, back towards the lift to Aldia Manor. Vez opened his hand, staring at the item she had given him.
It was a feather. It looked ancient, fragile in a way. Yet it gave off a sense of home. A form of comfort. Just like a bonfire.
He turned back back to the Aerie, gripping the feather. She was right, he thought. He did have a reason. He drew his sword before starting down the path.
His sword stayed upright, his armor light. The feather was the greatest burden of all.