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FICTION

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Chapter 15 - Fix what can be Fixed

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Despite some major irritation from the Krill's leadership, there were no genuine repercussions against me and what I did.

Instead, they forced a law that rejected any chance for Xi Ro to claim a military rank within the empire. And it ended up passing because I was willing to support it. I bet that may surprise many, after all Xi Ro was a fighter but... she didn't need to lead to be a warrior. She didn't need a title, to be able to defend herself. And, as much as it felt extremely restrictive, I couldn't give her the means to relapse into her former self.

When I last visited her, she was... tired. The conversion to the light had been painful, even more due to the kind of traumas her body went through after so many centuries. She was a bit battered and bruised, but making a steady recovery. And one I knew both from the medical staff following her and... because she told me.

It took a while. A long while at that. But I did visit her as things settled.

She was sitting on her custom-crafted chair, reading and studying and even watching videos that lacked any weight to their meaning. Distractions, all meant to soothe her overall soreness- and those were put aside as she noticed me. Relief and delight appeared on her posture.

'Father.'

Daughter. How are you?

'Mostly well,' she admitted quietly. 'I... I admit that it is far more difficult to recover than I had expected.'

You are a tough warrior, Xi Ro. What's the truth?

She inhaled deeply. 'It tends to... ache the most when I stand up. My stomach just goes through sharp stab-like pain.'

You should see for your medical entourage to check. They will keep quiet about any 'weakness'.

'I know, it's just... if I may inquire.'

Go on.

'I have heard of the Krill- those that lived without becoming part of the Hive. Are they afraid of us?'

Very.

'I cannot fault them,' she agreed flatly. 'I would not trust myself if I was suddenly in this spot and I was the one that was to judge for my survival.'

They already set laws to prevent you in particular from holding any military rank.

'I can live with that. I seek not to go to war again. Or bear any weapon'.

...

You don't?

'Does it surprise you so much that I am tired of fighting, father?' She asked with a hint of snark. 'Truth be told, I am really not interested in combat. Things had been stale for a while even before I joined you and... and I can't find purpose in what mindless crusade the Witness was pushing us to endure.'

That made quite a lot of sense if I have to be honest but-

Still, it feels odd for you to give up.

'I am not,' Xi Ro assured, slumping a bit against her chair. 'I just need time to recover, both physically and mentally. And... I still have to sort out how to accept losing my sisters. I know they hate me.'

They are angry, I will give you that, but they don't have you.

'Sathona is definitely hating on me.'

She will be upset and spit all sort of insults and anger-filled vitriol, but true hatred is not within her bones.

'Once, maybe.'

No.

She leaned back at my firm response and then... sighed. 'Whatever you say, father. But for now, I need my rest.'

I will leave you to your naps, 'Grauntie'.

'That little brat told you that?'

I snorted.

You are her favorite after her uncle. And I am not third place.

I left as Xi Ro's face showed a degree of surprise at that claim. I wouldn't say I was butthurt about getting down graded from 2nd favorite to 3rd favorite. But I kind of was because Hash was a little cheeky brat despite being an adult.

After that visit, I got back to other businesses. Perhaps it was my attempt to seek distraction from the urge of pampering Xi Ro. She was back, she was consensually back. I was so happy it worked, that it was getting mended. That there was a fucking chance to rebuild my family.

But the price was not just something I could fix here and now.

I couldn't doubt that Xi Ro had reasons to think and even know to some extent that her sisters were going to be vicious towards her for this 'betrayal'. Savathun and Oryx were not going to forgive her for getting the chance to get redeemed, but I could tell their reaction to this event was going to be different.

I expected the Witch Queen to be extremely furious and earnest to know what she needed to get that chance herself... while the Taken King was going to see this as further reason to fault herself for what happened. That it wasn't something she could overcome and she was 'worthy' of overcoming.

I had already got an understanding of Savathun's mindset, but... but talking with Xi Ro now gave me a perspective that further pained me about it. She was desperate, absolutely so. She wanted to get out of that deal and was willing to sacrifice everything for it. But that's the issue: she was rotten within with how much she sold her soul. How many times did she allow her curiosity to do horrible things? How many people have suffered due to her ambitions?

She was going to be difficult to forgive. If she can be forgiven. And I don't know what to do with Oryx/Aurash.

She was the Taken King, but she wasn't... male? What went different? Me? I had so many questions. I also saw her eyes when I was captured. She wasn't happy, she wasn't proud, and she left as she knew this wasn't a permanent development. She already knew I had something in mind, she knew that she could do something about it but...

She just accepted her punishment. And it made me immensely... upset.

AN

Next time, a POV about the current Hive and then... Timeskip! A big one as it will be human time! And yes, things will not be as pleasant as many would expect.