Sora has many stories to tell when he comes back with Zaveid. I don't hear most of them though. All I can hear, ringing through my head, are the words he first spoke when they came into the room.

"Rulay, guess what! I have flames of purification!"

And, to be honest, it only makes too much sense. Very few seraphs are give the power but Sora is a seraph refashioned by Maotelus himself from the human remains of the most pure and innocent person I had ever met. Of course he'd have the power to cleanse the world-he'd spent centuries sleeping in order to do just that. It made sense as a parting gift to allow him to retain his ability to help the world. But there are oaths to take traditionally. There is a price to pay for the power given. My darker thoughts can't help but envision the trade Sorey might have made. Memories for the power of salvation; our past in order to continue to work towards a better future. Even if there was no trade and the powers were given freely, my heart aches to know, without a shadow of doubt, that Sorey would have gladly chosen for things to be this way. Because he's selfless. Because he cares about more than just himself. Because thousands of years later, what good are those memories anyway? Because love for me is too selfish a thing to linger on for long.

He talks about Lailah and the shrine and how she would like very much to see me. He all but bounces as he talks about the canals and the old stone work of the parliament buildings that had once been a palace. I nod, never wanting to be rude to him, but I've tuned him out completely. It's very much like the moment when Sorey and I realized speaking to Lailah was part of the sword trial and why so many failed. I knew then that Sorey might be destined to become the Shepherd, and within minutes he had taken up the title. Now I can see him as a Prime Lord just as easily. He will want that road. He will naturally seek it out. And I will have lost him again to the Shepherd's Path. It's all but assured from here.

Zaveid doesn't stay and I can't say I'm disappointed. We just happened to run into him, after all. He has things to do and Sora and I make for less than optimal company when the moon is high and the city lights are on in colors of bright yellows, reds, and blues. The people on the street below wear about as much clothing as he does. They dance on the sidewalks and disappear down alley ways. Even at night, the city is loud and yet I don't remember the last time I heard bird song or the chirp of night bugs.

"Are you coming to bed?" Sora asks with his arms folding around me.

I lean into him, remembering the days when his head easily cleared my shoulders, and allow myself to slowly relax. "In a minute," I say, though I've no intention of sleeping.

He sighs, rocking gently on his feet, our reflection in the window somewhat funny in how much and little has changed. His hair sticks up above my shoulders but I feel his face pressed against my back. He can't see me and, for the most part, I can't see him either. He used to be the tall one. He was broad and dwarfed me easily in his arms. When I see only him, I forget how much I've changed. I still think of myself as a lithe young seraph still waiting for his last growth spurt. It's my reflection that confuses me the most. I've out grown him in so many ways.

"I was so worried about you," he quietly confesses, his arms drawing tighter. "Is there anything I can do? Anything that I've done? I just want... I want to make sure you're alright."

He's sweet. He's always been sweet. He never could let anyone toil alone. "It's fine," I lie, holding his hand against my chest. "I've just spent too much time away from home. Or, rather, without one."

"What happens now?"

I smile softly. Surely he knows. And I think, perhaps, he knows I do as well. "Now?" I repeat, trying to find gentle words. "I suppose I make my way to Elysia. I hear most of Aroundight Forest is considered a nature preserve. It should be much the way I remember it. And you... well, you will stay here and become a coveted Prime Lord."

His chest presses against me with his long, deep breath. "You can't stay? Even if we found you a proper vessel?"

I shake my head. I don't want to be here. I don't want to watch as my past becomes his present. "You're exited, aren't you? To become a Prime Lord? To find a Shepherd and take the path that will lead you on adventure?"

He nods, his cheek nuzzling against me. "I think... it's what I've always wanted. Since I became myself."

I close my eyes, taking in the feel of him, knowing it will all go away once more. "You'll love it," I promise him. "The trial shrines are amazing. Especially Lefay Shrine, but I might be biased."

"Do they still go on those kinds of pilgrimages even without a Lord of Calamity?"

I don't know. There are so many Shepherds and Squires now. Are they mostly like the one we saw, just wandering the streets on the lookout for malevolence? Surely there are still those that take the trials in hopes of attaining power and a reason to struggle against evil for more than just a little maintenance now and then. Is the world so peaceful now that the Shepherd is more symbol than hero?

I suppose it is. I'm long traveled and haven't heard of much outside the occasional beast requiring a Shepherd to quell. Increased resonance means most people can see when malevolence is growing. They see to their communities and to each other. It's a nice world outside the political tiffs that mar history now and then. Peaceful. Kind. A world that is very much like the one from Sorey's dream. He would have liked it here, I'm sure.

"Even if my Shepherd doesn't go out to do great things, the work we do will still matter. I don't mind not having a grand adventure. But I... I do wish you would stay."

I can't. I could never stay in a city. My contempt only grows the more I see what has become of the land I knew. I don't belong here. In fact, I don't belong anywhere. I don't want to go to Elysia but I know of no other place to call home. I don't know any lives other than the ones I've lived. None of them were quiet. None of them required me to stay still and let the world pass me by as they do in Elysia. I don't want this life any more than he wants me to leave him. I have few options if I want to keep myself from malevolence, though. Which sparks an interesting questions: do I really?

Do I want to live for centuries more? No. Am I afraid of what I could become? No. Would I do anything to make sure that Sora got to have the life of exploration and adventure he dreams about? Yes. Anything. Because nothing in this world matters more than him.

There's a strange sort of peace in deciding to let go. I can't help but smile as it uplifts me.

I will find a vessel and I will corrupt it. I will lend my power and we will rile against the waves of weak Shepherds who have done nothing to bring honor to the name. I will become a terror unimaginable and leave chaos in my wake. I will create new ruins of the glass towers they've built and remind the world what the legends meant when they spoke of the heroic Shepherd. And only one sword will I ever allow to pierce my heart in the end: the one of his choosing and of his tempered craft; the one he holds through another's hand.

I will create such turmoil the world will remember what it has forgotten.

"Come on," Sora whispers, kissing my shoulder blades. "Let's lay down. It's getting late."

I nod my head slowly, holding on to his hand as we unravel.

For him I would do anything-even that which would make him cry.

I will become an angel of death and this will become my blessing.