I know everyone does one of these, but I just couldn't help it. It's pretty obvious, I should think. Spoiler if you didn't get the good ending in S II.

The Color of a Promise

My legs are aching as I reach the top of the mountain pass. We came this way once together, you and I, and we stopped here at the top. This is where we promised to return to, if anything happened. And so much has happened…

As I was half expecting, you are waiting here for me. You are standing in front of the x we marked on the stone less than a year ago. Was it really so short a time? It feels like an eternity since we took that plunge in a desperate attempt to survive. I feel a pang when I realize you have left behind your white coat that I hated so much. You look now just as you always looked.

Then you turn, and I see the difference. There is something new in your face. There is a sorrow in your eyes, and a desperation I don't truly understand. You step towards me, and begin to explain your reasoning. For so long, I've wanted to know why you did what you did. I hang on your every word. But then you stop talking, and you say that we have to fight, as the king of highland and the leader of the opposing army.

I don't want to fight you, Jowy. You are my best friend. Even after all that's happened, you are still my friend. No one could ever replace you. And after losing Nanami…I don't think I could bear to lose you too.

I tell you we don't have to fight, but you don't listen. You attack me three times, but I won't fight back. You can't understand this. You demand to know why I won't fight you. I tell you there is no reason to fight.

You tell me there is. You tell me that I have to destroy the last pieces of the Blight line. Don't you understand, Jowy? You aren't Jowy Blight to me. You're not wearing that horrible coat or the cold face you presented to the world as the king of Highland. You don't even have to be Jowy Atreides. To me, you are just Jowy, and all the family I have left.

You try to fight me again. I think you're hoping that if you goad me enough, I'll really fight back. But I won't. Even if you kill me, I could never kill you.

You step back again, asking why I won't fight. You tell me I have to fight for all my fallen comrades.

"Even so…I can't," I tell you. Can't you see, Jowy? You are my comrade, too. I can't fight my comrade for my comrades. That doesn't make any sense. I'm so sick of the fighting, Jowy. We were supposed to be past this. The war is over. Isn't that enough?

You tell me that I can't betray all those people who put their trust in me. You tell me I can't betray the dreams of my sister. Right there, you have destroyed your argument, Jowy, if only you knew it. In the first place, I can't betray you, either. In the second…Nanami didn't want us to fight, Jowy. She kept trying to stop us, remember? She didn't understand why we would have to fight each other. I'm not sure I understand, either, and now I'm beginning to think maybe she was right to protest.

You attack me again, but again I only defend. I refuse to kill you, Jowy. Then you stop, again. You tell me that you were jealous of me, because I was strong and gentle and loved by everyone. Really, Jowy? Loved by everyone? Is that why you and Nanami were my only friends? I'm strong Jowy? Is that why I needed you to rescue me? I'm gentle, Jowy? Is that why I led an army? I think you are wrong in this, my friend. I am neither stronger nor gentler than you. As for being loved…Nanami and I loved you, and that's all that should have mattered.

You collapse to your knees. I don't understand what's going on, but as fear twists my guts I shout your name and run forward to you. Your staff rolls away, forgotten. You raise your head, now so pale, and explain that you used too much power, that because you used your rune alone, it's taking your life. You ask for my right hand, to give me your half of the rune. I can't help but refuse.

You say you're sorry. You tell me you can't stand it anymore, how many people you killed and hurt. You want nothing more than for the agony to end.

But I forgive you, Jowy. I forgive you the betrayal, and the death, and the pain you caused. So I tell you that I can't take the rune from you.

You beg me not to let the dream we had be in vain. Again I refuse, and you tell me there's no time. You don't see it, do you Jowy? I have also had enough death and pain. There is no way I'm going to accept immortality at the price of your life. I don't want to live forever, anyway. Without you or Nanami, there just isn't any point. You called me strong, before, but I am not strong enough to live alone for all time. I am not strong enough to take your life, even though it costs you pain.

"Even so…I can't," I tell you. How many arguments must you hit me with? You struck me with physical blows, before, but these words pierce me deeper and more painfully than your staff. Just like before, I will not attack back.

You say my name, the agony audible in your voice. Then you begin to glow, and a moment later I do as well. I have no idea what it going on, but I am half afraid that you will have your way, after all. But no, the light is healing you. You are standing again, amazed that you can stand.

Leknaat arrives out of nowhere, and tells us this is the power of the Rune of Beginning. She tells us that this is my doing. She tells us to go see the world.

You protest that you have sinned, killed people. You still do not believe you deserve to live. Leknaat tells you the memories will not fade, but that you can make the world better. See, Jowy? She agrees with me. You can't erase what you've done, and I can't erase what I've done, but together maybe we can do better things.

Leknaat disappears again. You don't face me, as you say that Jowy Blight is no more. You will forget the name of Jowy, and this land, you say. No, my friend. Do not forget the name of Jowy. What will I call you, if not Jowy? But I say "of course," because I understand what you are trying to say, and I am too glad that you have decided to live to argue with you now.

You turn to me, and tell me that this is where it began before. Let this be the place where we begin our journey again.

I agree, of course, but I know how it is different, this time. We will not be separated this time. Nor are we running for our lives as we leave. I make you a new promise, Jowy. The last promise was made in fear and at night, and it was the promise of two boys. But we are not boys anymore. Over the course of this war, we have ceased to be boys. Instead, I make you a promise as a man, beneath the sun and with this feeling of hope. I promise you, that I will not leave you, nor will I ever forsake you. And that's a promise that I intend to keep.