Chapter 28: Forgiveness
One month passed. Kratos had to return to Derris Kharlan. This 'vacation' had not made him feel better—if anything, he felt worse. If Yggdrasill asked, he wouldn't lie, though.
"How do you feel after your vacation?"
"I am still quite miserable, my lord." Kratos answered.
"And why is that?" Lord Yggdrasill asked.
"There was nowhere I could go in Sylvarant that did not remind me of Anna and our time together."
"Well, that's too bad. Now come. There are things that need done." Yggdrasill waved for Kratos to follow, and Kratos did so. Yggdrasill led Kratos to a door and motioned for Kratos to go through. It was dark, very dark.
"What do you need me to do here, my lord?"
"Clean it up." Yggdrasill clicked the light and left Kratos standing alone in his own room. He turned his head and scowled at the door, then set about picking up random bits of things. It didn't take very long. As he finished, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Come in."
"Kratos, are you OK?" Yuan asked, stepping inside.
"Fine."
"No, you're not. How was your shore leave?"
"It didn't do me much good. Everything reminded me of Anna. You would have done better to send me to Tethe'alla." Kratos sat down on his bed and sighed heavily. "Why is Lord Yggdrasill treating me like a child?"
"He's been treating me like that, too." Yuan sat down beside Kratos. "But I have not asked about it."
"I wish that I could see them again…Anna and Lloyd."
"I am sorry, Kratos, it's impossible." Yuan stood up and left.
That night, Kratos was visited. Not by an angel or one of the other Seraphim, but by a vision…a dream.
"Kratos…it's not your fault. Nothing that's happened is your fault. Please, stop blaming yourself…for me? Please, Kratos, for me.
Your lord calls you weak for grieving this long…it is indeed admirable. Your lord has forgotten everything his sister meant to him-to all of you…that is why he no longer grieves. I am proud of you, Kratos. You have not forgotten me.
Rest assured that Lloyd is safe. He is in a loving home and has friends. Do not worry about him…I will watch him and guide him.
Never forget, Kratos, the love you have known, for none can ever replace it. Never forget the dreams of the life we shared, for those dreams still live.
Never forget me, Kratos. Never forget. And know that I forgive you…Thank you, Kratos, my love."