Future


The memorial stood, old and proud, much like the line of lords that it represented. It towered quietly over Lhant, and as Asbel stood alone in the small garden built to house the names of his forefathers, he felt an odd lump well up in his throat.

He ran his fingers down the aged stone, like he imagined his father and his father might have done before. These were the names of the men that had protected Lhant and Windor before him, the names who once weighed him down like a burden; who had long cast a shadow he had to live under. The men, whose names and strength he now hoped he would be able to live up to.

It had been months since their return from Fodra, but this was the first time he had paid the memorial a visit. There had been so many things he had to take care of upon his return, so much life to address- but now, in this garden, all of that felt distant. There was nobody else around, and in the silent evening calm, he was reminded all the more of the mantle he had chosen to bear.

"He would have been proud."

Lambda's voice resonated deep in his heart, and Asbel couldn't help but smile at his friend's assurance.

"I hope so," he whispered.

"You do not agree?" The creature's confusion was understandable. "You have accomplished far more than any other Lord of Lhant. You saved the world. Twice."

"And do you think Cornell would be proud of you?" he asked quietly. It sounded like a cruel jab, but Asbel knew the creature would understand. After all, despite all they had accomplished as individuals, they would always be haunted by the ghosts of their pasts; their failures.

Lambda stared solemnly through his left eye. Asbel could sense his friend's thoughts touching his consciousness, felt a quiet regret that reflection often brought on.

His friend let out a soft sigh. "I almost killed you once. Do you remember?"

Asbel's smile was faint. "In the catacombs, when I was a child." He remembered that sensation of Lambda's strike passing through his flesh, of being too weak to do anything as he watched Sophie die in front of him. Of living, but at the cost of someone else's life; and the pain that had set him on his path. It would never fade, but it wasn't so bad, more like a scar that he finally found the strength to bear.

He scuffed his feet. "I... hated you for that."

"And I hated you for being the catalyst to my destruction," Lambda murmured. "If it were not for you, Richard would never have fought against me and Protos Heis would have died. If it were not for you, I believed I could finally rest."

Asbel nodded. In a way, even though they were born not an inch alike, their paths had wound themselves in a way that could have been mirrors of each other, yet constantly opposed to one another.

"And yet you saved me. You overcame your hatred... for your enemy."

"Hate begets more hate," Asbel replied quietly. "I learned that from you, from losing my father... And I wanted something more, for the both of us."

Staring at his father's name, carved upon stone, the redhead asked, "Do you think I'm weak, Lambda?"

"Yes," the reply was succinct and immediate. "Your body is fragile, your mind is dull, your humanity is all too clear. You yearn for the impossible and act without rational thought. You place the safety of others before yourself, and you make decisions without thinking of your sacrifices. You are guileless and foolish.

"Yet, you are... the strongest person I know."

Asbel bowed his head, rested his forehead against the cool stone. Despite the creature's words, a genuine chuckle bubbled out from deep in his gut. "Thank you, Lambda."

Once, those words would have been greeted with derision or denial. But now Lambda gave a soft harrumph, and Asbel knew his sentiments had been accepted, even if his friend still had yet to learn how to respond. But it was okay; they both had time to learn and grow.

He stood there for a moment, a lone figure against the setting sun. Being here, he could almost feel close to his father- to all the what ifs and words that were never said. He could almost imagine Aston, standing behind him, watching his son's bowed back.

Perhaps the reason why he avoided this place wasn't just because he was busy.

But having Lambda beside him gave him the strength to come here once more, to stare at his father's name, and remember all it was that he had left to do. All it was that he had been entrusted to do; and of the man that he only could remember from the faintest of memories.

Perhaps it was because, if nothing else, Lambda understood.

"I miss him," he admitted softly.

Lambda's feelings intertwined with his own, even if their thoughts were different. And Asbel was grateful that he was not alone.

The light was almost gone, and a cold chill brushed against his cheek. Soon, Asbel knew he would have to return- to his responsibilities, to his life. He could not afford to extend this moment of contemplation much longer. Yet, he was reluctant to leave this place.

It was Lambda's quiet voice that poked through his thoughts. "I may not be able to speak for your father, Asbel, but if it means anything to you- I... am proud of you, for all you have done for me; for all that you are. I, too, will miss you dearly, when the time comes that we must part."

It was rare for Lambda to be so open with his feelings. But perhaps the time, and the person, was just right.

Asbel cherished the feelings his friend entrusted him; the certainty that carried with the thought.

"Likewise," he whispered to his friend; the creature who was his dual self.

Lambda said nothing, but he didn't need to. Asbel could hear him loud and clear.

And with a single, final glance at his father's name, the Lord of Lhant turned back to his future, back to the life he had left to live.

"Let's go home, Lambda."

End


A big thanks to everyone who has read Duality, as well as my beta Daidairo, who encouraged me to write it despite my constant griping. I actually would have liked to write more for Duality, but I figured that it was better to keep everything concise and to the point; and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I love the Asbel-Lambda relationship, and I hoped that I did it justice. I also hope that the fic was enjoyable for you to read, because it certainly was for me to write!