Chapter Eight of Ten
Mirror Universe
Had it been any other day, any other person on any other planet Blue Blur would have acted first and asked questions later but with the clone infront of him his whole world starts to crumble, he leans in trying to find a scent of a lie or explanation for this imposter who fails to hold down a smirk knowing Blur can only smell himself from this traitor in gold.
The Triumvirate's eyes certainly matched Blurs although brighter holding a divinity yet also revealing just how old this billion-year-old watcher was, Dakem and Fortaime had rushed to Valessa's side fearing she may have died of shock instead of fainting seeing two Blue Blurs.
Blur: You're ...me?
Exodus: Good lord no! No no... ...
You're me.
Heh, Howl I'm going to fucking kill you.
Glancing at the relaxed undead wolf who's greatly enjoying the spectacle the Triumvirate flashes his sharp teeth with a half-hearted threat to Monarchy and returns to the panicked gaze of Blur, he softens seeing his rebel self struggling but then instantly the relaxing smile vanishes as multiple strikes from space echoed along the heavenly skies.
Exodus: Under different circumstances, I'd say it's oh-so-nice to meet you.
Now do yourself a favour and die for the good creation. I just burnt something very dear to me Blur. Closer than all of earthling kind so you have the 'time' you desperately need.
Get a bastarding grip for the chaos Idol is still coming for us.
Blur:...Nope, way! WAY too fast who the hell are you? Really!? Tell me
Exodus: I told you who I am.
Maybe Saviour rings a bell? Mmm No? You really should have paid attention to the fairytales.
Shame really. Look I'm sorry it's a shock but you need to get over it faster, you need to spend your time wisely and I'm not going to be distracted from your destiny Blue Blur.
Ulric: And this tells us nothing so start speaking or you'll find the end won't come fast enough 'Blur'.
Mumbling to himself the Triumvirate rubs his temple and takes a deep breath to release building stress at the time being wasted by this once-concealed secret.
Exodus: Alright... so the Blue Blur you all know isn't the original, and neither am I.
The first being called Blue Blur died a very long time ago and for a time I thought I was him, this was way before I was part of the Triumvirate but now I know I'm just an Exodus, his...hmm soul or spirit was incredibly powerful and he imprinted everything into me, his decisions, his hopes and his morals. Even his looks. Everything.
The king you have been following is an Exodus of myself just like Halin is.
The Triumvirate puppet perks up hearing his name involved in the most personal uproaring scandal Halin has ever witnessed, now based at the very centre of this mind-twisting revelation he moves closer to the Triumvirate with bated breath.
Halin: I don't understand this, how am I involved?
Exodus: You and Blur were created by us, my brothers. Using our powers and wielding my blade its helped us in our quest to finally destroy the chaos Idol and prevent what's happening above us and across all of time.
Who else were we supposed to pick to save the entire universe... or was supposed to.
The Triumvirate's voice trails off finding his heartbreak at the dishonour his clone has brought to his name and purpose.
Blur: Oh will you lay off already!? I've lost my family once, I'm not losing them again.
Exodus: NO! I WILL NOT! You disgrace me and my reputation Blue Blur. You travel this universe saving planets because that's what I stand for, it's what I do and it's my morals that are the very core of you...
Yet here you stand affront to everything I believe in. Everything you were made to do and... oh my god . . .
The Triumvirate rubs his face angrily shouting into his paws muffling his muzzle yet glaring at Blue Blur, a mirror of the mistakes made in the past, present and future now repeated themselves again. The god's voice was a shadow of a whisper yet all traces of his ghostly echo had long abandoned him since his hood fell.
Triumvirate: This is why Nagi and Nami rebelled...
Once they knew who they were, once they knew the purpose they were created for...how did I miss this?
I can't believe I made the same mistake as Velasquez.
Blur: ... Just so I know what madness you are talking about now. I'm some kind of... fulfilment of your plan and what about Halin, what's his purpose?
Or do you just enjoy creating living beings to be killed without a say about our own desires? Our own imagination and future pushed aside so you can treat us like slaves whenever fate calls.
The Triumvirate's mouth soon dried faster than anything the Alarinthian desert could muster having seen Blur echo the words and thoughts of Nagi and Nami - godly beings who once destroyed the universe as they rejected their purpose and turned their powers against the forces of life having realised death is infinity more powerful.
Exodus's first galactic foes resurrecting infront of him in his own form rattled his faith, goals and judgment. For the first time, the Triumvirate's body language reflected the fear running through his mind as Howl gently put a paw on the god's shoulder jolting five feet off of the ground in fright.
Damek: What did you do Howl?
Howl: We did nothing... the mon- Exodus... is jumpy?
Exodus: Sorry...so sorry, just bad memories.
Time travel always has a way of coming full circle.
Damek: You're having bad memories now?
You were going to fight the chaos above us and you didn't break a sweat...now Blur knows your, well he's...I don't know what you are Exodus.
Blur: How do you think I feel Damek!? Look the Triumvirate has been butchering us for billions of years so this, trick of madness isn't going to make me change my mind. Your lies and games of fate will do nothing to save you.
Exodus: I know you Blur -
Blur: THE BLUE BLUR YOU KNOW IS NO LONGER HERE, YOU ARE STUCK WITH ME AND I WILL END YOU AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU LOVE!
Blur snaps losing his thin patience with the god wanting nothing more to eviscerate them from his memory yet some corner of his heart holds back from taking another swing at him. The look of hurt spreads from the god across to Blur's comrades feeling more and more they have lost the man they have grown to love and found his true self in the enemy instead.
Blur: You can't show me anything that would make me choose a 'healthy' universe over Ulric. To choose something over myself to become nothing! It's not going to happen but I will tell you this.
I am not the choas Idol. I'm just ... Blue Blur.
Ulric: Listen to me Monarch. I love you I always will and I won't turn my back on you. But you must recognise your trust in me shouldn't affect ANY of your decisions. You have to save Alestia.
I am ashamed to see you like this.
Ulric takes a step forward looking into Blur's eyes and crosses his arms with a stern look, he briefly looks to the celestial skies but finds no comfort there knowing even in compromise he still loses. Halin speaks up trying to find more answers to his and Blur's creation thinking there might be a way out of this with the Triumvirate's powers.
Halin: As the king said, what's my purpose in all of this? Why was I created?
Who even am I, if Blur isn't ... the original, then where is the real Halin?
Exodus: You Halin were playing a role much like I, a last line of defence. A way to end this war if things got ...tough for us.
Having lost Sovy and Ulric over and over again we ... we need someone more effective at collecting power.
The god's voice cracks haunted by what he's done but pushes on giving the answers justly deserved.
Exodus: I was time-locked to a fixed point in the Ark, whoever stays in there is immortalised for time and life flow as different elements. I was able to see the outcomes of each attempt Blur made to destroy the chaos Idol.
But the Triumvirate who stood before Blur begging for his life, my life... and the person you once served, he couldn't see all of those loops, he only knew when the right time came he had to help Blur fulfil his destiny.
He only had what Howl has, fragments of the past and decisions which led to 'peace' in our time as rulers... the path chosen was covered in blood and that's what you would have been Halin. Our ... Grand Weapon, loyal to the end.
Halin: A path of blood... a nightmare!
Halin snaps their attention to Ulric and Sovy staring into the whites of their eyes shaking his fists burning with judgement and demanding answers.
Halin: Is this what you did? Both of you? Following this marauding liar and killing without a second thought...is that what I was going to become under your guidance!?
Ulric and Sovy were both shocked by the question and nodded slowly in shame, so much blood had soaked their paws all in the name of the Triumvirates and their master plan to protect Alestia.
Blur growls moving between Ulric and the outraged Halin who was accusing The Grand Inquisitors of purposely playing a part in the blood bath occupations when the haunting truth is the Triumvirate had groomed two vulnerable foolish men, forging them both into mindless killers with the promise of hope and just rewards.
Sovy: There is a difference Halin, Ulric and I didn't follow blindly as their Grand Inquisitors for these thousands of years, it wasn't forever we grew to question them...
But you?... well created by the blade you had always seemed different, beyond faithful.
If Blur hadn't released you from his grip... their grip, I'm sure you can guess your future under the Triumvirate's endless rule.
While listening to the tense conversation Damek had tenderly been attempting to bring Valessa back to the land of the living, softly moving his paws to ensure the fox was comfortable. Looking up sharply as he heard Sovy's guilty response answering in a voice louder than required showing his shocked horror at the revelation.
Damek: SO that's why you, Ulric. Everyone Blur couldn't save had to die... the followers of the Triumvirate left without his interference would leave none of you here today.
Exodus: It's hard to face these actions but Sovy is right, entirely right. Our power of immortality who have left them to die in their proper time and place. Before any of you ever met.
The Triumvirate who created you Halin, they would have seen visions and echos where our plan was close to failing, where the chaos Idol had breached further than Balteus with Ulric and Sovy being 'unreliable' to the plan, turning against me and my brother's will.
Creating you Halin was the best solution we had, someone more resilient to the chaos Idol and as a follower dedicated to the cause to save all of creation... I'm sure you can see the appeal for us.
I won't dare say we are innocent of this bloodshed but we will make this right. I have to Halin. Who knows, maybe they predicted this...
As the god waves his paws dishearteningly around to the blood and death in his chamber, his eyes are once again captured by the Ark's burning gold energy as the last remaining source of protection for Alestia. Outside of mortal view, the universe battles against the pocket universe of the Ark and slowly eats away the endless time tricks that made the Ark the home realm for the Triumvirate, a sacred place where the 'true' Blue Blur - the Exodus - was accepted into his fate as the Saviour of worlds so many years ago.
Exodus: As for who you are, you are Halin. Simply Halin. Exactly the same case as Blue Blur has he's taken my name.
But Alestia isn't your true home, your world is called Terra and you severed The Immortal King Velasquez. Naturally the Halin I know was a trusted and loyal protector of the king and a friend to me much the same you were...are?
I know you have no reason to know the true me but I am not surprised you were chosen to protect us, who else would I ask for assistance when things got tough?
Halin: Don't treat me like we're friends, you created me to mindlessly follow your orders and kill untold numbers of innocent people.
I'm not going to forgive you for that... but I won't fight you for it either. I'm a soldier fighting in a war of unimaginable odd and I have faith that my life helps to stop that evil, it's all I can ask for.
Exodus: I understand the hate but we had no choice, you can see for yourself how close we are to losing all of creation.
Me and my brothers made terrible choices I know this...but a choice had to be made Halin. Once this horrendous war is over you will never know this pain, you will be with your family just like everyone else...
I promise you all once that choas Idol is destroyed we will all be living a better future, those who deserve it atleast. Just one person prevents this and I'm getting sick of waiting Blue Blur! This chatter from me is not going to finish this.
Fortaime: I couldn't have said it better myself 'King', let's finish this. All this time it's been you we have been fighting.
Fortaime speaks up holding Valessa's dagger in his hand having slipped it from her belt, it trembles softly with agitation filling eyes burning into Blur's head and his half-timid but daring voice loathed his best friend struggling to accept Blur as the Triumvirate.
Fortaime: You were warned that your fight-or-die mentality was a terrible thing, I thought it would drive a good man to do terrible things. I even begged you not to let it happen Blur!
Now I see you were lying to us from the very start! You betrayed us! Playing us for idiots just ensuring you can slaughter our families in the most efficient way possible!
Blur: Fortaime? What are you talking about I didn't take your family, our parents. He did! He caused this but I finished it.
Fortaime: LOOK AT HIM! ITS YOU BLUE BLUR. YOU'VE BEEN THE ONE TO HAUNT MY DREAMS EVERY NIGHT. You broke my heart and I will break yours!
Hissing in anger Fortaime leans further into the threat of death as Ulric moves to disarm the bunny but Blur grips Ulric's bicep declining the help. He knows his best friend is still in there and for all the crimes Blur has done Fortaime knows he would never harm his friends.
Blur: Think about this before you do anything rash Fortaime, you said victory means nothing if we can't share it together. Why would I do anything to harm you?
Look where we stand I have killed my way through every enemy and anything that stands in my way, I did this for you and everyone else on this planet... I've kept you safe the best I could.
Fortaime: THAT'S YOUR EXCUSE?! Friends shouldn't get a free pass to commit murder, you have committed more atrocities than your counterpart Monarch!
You are the true evil we've been fighting and someone has to stop you.
Blur: This is ridiculous Fortaime! You aren't hurt by my judgement of the universe, you are hurt because it's me who did it!
You agreed to forgive Sovy when he saw the truth but you grilled Ulric for his actions in Alarinthia, well tough news pal friendships are built on the risk of getting hurt by the ones you love... but not by me. I wouldn't. I couldn't.
Fortaime: I don't care!
Blur: Liar you always care. Always have. Your reign of terror will end with the slightest cut of my blood.
Fortaime breaths heavily looking from the Triumvirate to Blur loosening his grip on Valessa's blade and covering his face bursting into tears, simply overwhelmed his friend had played a godly part in killing his parents and so many others to impact the rebellion's history.
The entire group sighs in collective relief having been on their tip toes of tension, Blur moves closer hugging Fortaime to soothes him feeling the guilt of surviving more and more as his friendships start to falter.
Blur: It's ok Fortaime, everyone deserves a second chance even I... we all had that moment when we turned against the Triumvirate, maybe I've made a mistake but it's mine to make. Take a moment I have feelings he's about to eat my ear off about my decision too.
Fortaime gives a sad chuckle and goes to sit with Valessa needing some time to think watching the Monarch wave to his friends he needs a moment too, Blur rubs his paws together feeling the sweat building on them as guilt consumes his thoughts.
The reflecting gold rays of hope in the Ark sky reminded him how beautiful life truly is but is roughly pulled from his thoughts by instinct, forcing him to breathe realising he was so lost in his mind and emotions he had forgotten to breathe overcome under the weight of everything he caused and what he must face. For a moment it looks as if Blur is going to break but he still keeps his family at arms length for a little longer.
Pro had whined seeing his friend in distress and fidgeted with his journal taking the pen from his mouth being thoroughly chewed.
Pro: What actually is that? The Ark.
Exodus: Well in terms you'd understand...sorry there aren't any.
It's. erms it's a time realm thingy... erm can you imagine a really big magic shield?
Pro: Yeah...
Exodus: Well it's not like that.
Pro squints at the god tapping his foot slightly amused but mostly annoyed. The Triumvirate scratches his ear pulling dried blood from it while thinking.
Exodus: I was told it's power most people would call fictional, in there you can truly play god bring people back to life or striking them down... but it's a place where you can find yourself imprisoned, scared lonely and helpless to do nothing but watch. I saw everything in that damned observatory...
I don't wanna talk about it sorry Pro. Another...
Time.
Meanwhile, Blur's ironical reflecting on how every breath is a blessing as it could be his last was soon interrupted by Ulric's hunky arms, he wraps them around Blur's stomach from behind with his warm breath soothing the wolf's worry having a shiver of ecstasy run through Blurs body. He had longed to spend some alone time with him but the battle had been going on longer than expected and to make up Blur indulges Ulric letting him explore his body with wandering hands.
Ulric: We have time Blur but this can only end one way.
Blur: I know Ulric... I know
I just don't want it to, because I know what it will do to me. I will find another way, I just need time.
Blur moves his head to nuzzle Ulric stealing a quick kiss before looking to his copy standing with Howl, a matching pair of big blue eyes pouring with sadness acknowledge each other for a silent moment.
Two victims of fate connecting on a deep level knowing what the pain is like and feeling each other's suffering. The Monarch softly speaks to his godly counterpart almost pleading.
Blur: This isn't about me I'm a dead man walking, I... I understand what I'm choosing and I know at some point I'll be forced to save the universe but right now. Here in this time, I'm changing history to save Ulric.
You can't ask me to kill him, I won't become you.
I won't ever be you 'Blur'... I will never stand with the Triumvirate.
Exodus: Yes my dear you will. Like it or not you have learnt every rule of the Triumvirate, when you deal with unimaginable power you are forced to learn fast.
Rule 1: You need to face consequences.
Rule 2: The road to salvation is paved with loss and blood. You won't be able to save everyone.
And Rule 3: To save, sometimes you need to kill. Others will die by my hand ... from our decision.
Blur: But I am not like you! I am not some intergalactic time god saving lives and playing with planets. I don't murder billions on a whim to fulfil my goals!
Silence followed from Blur as the words left his mouth and rung in his ears, once Blur thought he could live with his decision but having faced the music of death seeing for his own eyes the people he condemned and his friends learning his terrible truth it had been a nasty wake up call to the person he really his. It wasn't lost on him the meaning of his own words.
The Triumvirate just squints his eyes disgusted with the wolf infront of them shocked that Blur apparently hasn't heard the words just spoken.
Blur: ...OK maybe I do but fuck it I can live with that... I can live with that.
Exodus: You fell in love with the man who could turn an army around at the mention of his name. Ulric the legend, our first Inquisitor for when our hands needed more blood to forfill...the mission.
Believe me, I asked if it was going too far but we had barely started! Why don't you ask your beloved what he wants or does the mighty Blue Blur decide the fate for all his followers?
I can't imagine an immortal with generations of lives on his paws can stomach that. I know I can't.
Blur scoffs vigorously shaking his head to refuse yet his strong bravado and defiant answer breaks into a deep frown feeling Ulric squeeze his stomach pulling him in a little tighter, the king unable to stop the growing frown forced to watery eyes and slowly turns around to look Ulric in the eye bracing himself. His mouth went dry fearing the question trying to hide down Blur's throat.
Blur: Wel- Well, you heard him... What do you want? A quick death and for all this to be over, for our lives to turned to dust forgotten by all. Or more time?
I want to spend this time with you, I want to grow old and die of old age like a proper married couple, I don't want our adventures to stop before it's even begun...please Ulric, don't rush this.
I know you've lived nearly forever but live a little bit longer, please...
Ulric say something!
He cups Blur's paw holding them together over his heart so he can feel the pulse of undivided love, Ulric's cocky smile subdues the Monarch from talking further and signs unsure what to say.
Ulric: . . . Blur.
Immortality isn't living forever that's not what it feels like, immortality is everyone else dying.
All the people I have met in the past, even here right now are like smoke, they'll blow away in a moment and you don't know what that's like.
The Triumvirate grew cold hearing the cruelty his decisions inflicted on the innocent people involved in this war. He cursed himself for thinking only a god of time would suffer such a blight seeing the living around him as meer flames, always extinguished far too fast for the 'real' Blue Blur to accept, nobody but his brothers Archeron and Reiyo could stay as constants to the immortal. Unsure if he heard an echo he missed the king embracing Ulric as the god grieved with his thoughts.
Blur: I'm so, so sorry for how lonely that must be... have been for you Ulric. But it's different now.
I'm here and I'm not leaving you. This is only the beginning of us...right? It will not end so soon.
Ulric: I will forever hold you close to me, our moment together on the docks when we promised each other? You'll be there at the end of me, or vice versa.
We confessed that nothing is sad until it's over...then everything is, that we must live life to the fullest before this war could take us apart.
Everything has its time and everything ends Blur. But... if theres one thing I learnt, everything begins again too and that's the beauty of life, the secret of the universe is to be happy we are saving more than we ever thought possible.
The rest of the universe Blur we can't give up on that, we can't let it suffer for us.
Blur: It won't be for us and you know it. If I die and reset this bloody universe you'll be dead before I've ever met you. Fuck I don't know if I can even come back from this myself.
Heh but he would, a time travelling me, wait...
...maybe...
Blur seems to freeze toying with the idea his godly clone could actually travel back to spend time with Ulric, but his heart breaks further knowing such a fantasy wouldn't come to pass as the Triumvirate was only here on Alestia due to the chaos Idol's corruption of the Monarchy, without the Idol the Triumvirate would never cross Alestias past.
Abruptly brought from his thoughts Ulric boop's Blurs cold nose bringing him back to reality with a goofy grin melting Blur's fracturing heart faced with an impossible task.
Ulric: Finally I have time to spend. I can feel my candle burning I know I'm going to die one day no longer in limbo wasting other people's time and never my own.
I'm going to spend my time with you Blur, we'll do everything together and we'll start now. How long do we have left Blur? errr the Triumvirate Blur.
Shaken from his musing the Triumvirate looks to Howl and then Ulric as if they were aliens, his senses catching up as he walks towards Fortaime and softly smiles seeing the bunny in a thoughtful pose rubbing his chin clearly away with the fairies, his ears shot up like rockets having finally noticed the god infront of him.
Exodus: You are sitting in my clock again Fortaime, how's she doing?
Fortaime: She's still out cold. When she wakes up it's my turn to have a breakdown. Another one atleast.
Damek: Get in line we all need a moment...what a day.
Fortaime: Help me move her, please?
The Triumvirate nods and rolls up his sleeves grabbing loose fabric from his robe to tie his clothing tightly around his waist. Kneeling both he and Fortaime move Valessa easily, slightly surprised at how light she was yet was jabbed by her spikey armour. In the far corner Fortaime steals a moment with the Triumvirate.
Fortaime: What will happen once we reset this mess? Would anyone remember this like Howl does, even you?
Exodus: I honestly don't know Fortaime, but I do know without our intervention Alestia will develop naturally and you would get to grow old with the family you richly deserve. Everyone gets a future away from us and the terror we brought.
Even the Monarchy, they were moments away from leaving this place before we interfered. Everybody. . . lives. . .
Fortaime: And all the work we have done to unify Alestia? It's going to be removed, isn't it?
Exodus: I think you'll still move to unify this planet. I know you and your friends probably better than you know yourself. Something that pops up as one of your values is unity with Alestia and once this is all said and done, I believe you'll be the first person to willingly leave Valinorth.
Hmm maybe when you're older though, wouldn't want anything else to drag you away from family just yet. How are you doing? Tensions were high back there...
Fortaime smiles softly and touches the Triumvirate's paws squeezing them softly. The bunny has hope pouring from his eyes and heart with a big beaming smile, his mind running wild having two Blue Blurs in the same room taunting him.
Fortaime: Thank you for asking. I... I forgive you, for all you've done. I forgive you. Together we can fix this Blur.
The Triumvirate's shocked face causes the bunny to giggle and pull his paw away only to enjoy a tight but brief hug from the Triumvirate.
Starved of friendship for too long the god momentarily decides 'what the hell' and indulges in the forgiveness bestowed by Fortaime, while in the hug with his face hidden pain radiates from the god hating what he's done to these people and what he must continue to do.
Releasing the bunny with a slight blush Fortaime processes what just happened. Walking back to the black sand of time the god waves a paw focusing intently trying to block out the gnawing feeling, summoning black gears they start floating from his necklace and spin in multiple directions, interconnecting and struggling to spin disobeying the laws of physics, his power running dry.
Exodus: At the current rate of decay the Ark will fracture in...
. . . . thirty-three minutes.
Ulric: THAT'S ALL?
Exodus: You seem to forget I am but ONE MAN holding back the weight of the entire universe. I'm sorry it's not more but what did you expect? I'm not a god I told you even I have limits.
Ulric's disbelief only serves to sadden the Triumvirate who nods heartbroken for the couple confirming his calculations are accurate after double checking them, he looks to the numbers in the fine black sand colliding and counting down before his eyes.
Exodus: There's no way to prevent this Ulric, less than thirty minutes before... boom.
Looking to Blur the Triumvirate gulps knowing exactly what his Monarch clone is thinking, a heavy silence leaves the group alone with their thoughts as time marches on with thumping echos of destruction rains from space trying to devastate the planet. The Triumvirate's mind repeats a rhyme from his home planet which always gave him food for thought as annihilation looms ever closer.
Exodus: What's that following, yet never passing by?
Howl: Time, is the only logical answer.
Pro: Oh... dammit. I don't believe it!
Blur: Just realised huh?
Pro: You knew? ... Yeah... of course you do, it would have made a great story too you know?
Blur: Oh I bet it would, you know...I dreamed of my name and life being immortalised by the outcome of this war. Now nobody will ever know who I was or what I did... just a fucking tool in the end.
Ulric: But my tool.
The Triumvirate smiles hearing their little conversation as Pro puts his black rock down to roll along the floor having apparently mastered refining random objects to sharp writing utensils to record today's history on his journal and scraps of war records, chalk dust covering his once clean paws with his pen out of ink.
The husky sighs defeated and starts to tidy his scrap papers into a neat orderly pile preoccupied purposely to avoid the dread of waiting for an uneasy end, pity boils in the Triumvirate knowing the husky has always wanted to one day settle down as a grand writer in history yet the realisation none of this would ever happen has thrashed those dreams.
Exodus: You know, I don't know what will happen once we reset. I'd imagine my point of return will be when we first detected the chaos Idol here. Once it's destroyed and I return to that point perhaps my memories and physical aspects will follow. Do you want to try to save those writings Pro?
Pro: It's not exactly my best work, but if all of creation is going to be reset. What's there to lose by not trying right? You know these include your crimes in here.
Exodus: It's only right to include them, wars aren't bloodless but we fight for what's right. I'll let history judge what was done and if we did right by Alestia. By all of time and space.
If there was another option we would have done it...still, I can't apologise enough for the horrors you have all endured. But... I dare say some see the forgiveness in this, wouldn't that be nice. Forgiveness to save the world.
The Triumvirate reaches down rambling to himself knowing the universe would never work in such a way but its nice to think it would. He carefully rolls up the scripts of madness Pro has been writing on with his chaos Idol quill, the Triumvirate chuckles as Pro kicks his pen away and lies down on the floor soaking in the Ark's beauty.
The husky paid no mind to how filthy his fur was, caked in dust from the castles rocking and the only thing that mattered was the billions of mini stars working in grand colourful arrangements. The Triumvirates realm certainly blessed the husky with such raw beauty as a final sight to experience.
Pro: Thank you for giving me a chance Triumvirate, maybe someone will remember what happened here today, if not...then someone has gotta hold onto faith in the unknown.
Exodus: Oh I'm sure even Algus Veilleur would eat his heart out to get your autograph once these are published. You'll be a living legend.
As the Triumvirate securely ties the journal and scraps to his person his face drops seeing a flurry of blood leaves carried on the wind. It was surely impossible for Valinorth's Grand Trees leaves to reach Balteus yet here they were with their foreboding ill omen, the god looks to Pro thankful he hasn't noticed but finds Blue Blur staring at his divine clone.
Silently acknowledging the Triumvirate's bold face lie giving hope to his husky friend, the white lie puts the writer at peace filling his head with beautiful Ark creations living in the hope his small creation might outlast time itself.
Blur: Imagine that, the writer who recorded an entirely different existence, that's gotta be some sort of record Pro, pretty decent way to be remembered.
Exodus: A work of fantasy to some, fiction to others.
Ulric: Then let's spend this time making memories Blur, something so strong it will follow us in our dreams and through the stars.
If this is the last thing I ever do then let's not waste time on regret. I have been given back my purpose and I'm finally able to spend my time.
Ulric holds Blur close and whispers to him seeing the pang of pain in his eyes softly struggle cuddling each other. Ulric's feeling had for a long time been dormant having let his heart die not wanting to get close to things he will eventually out live, but now his heart ached knowing the end was coming and finding himself unprepared for it.
Ulric: Love can be a source of great grief and immense pain, of tremendous guilt... and a reason to run from ourselves or away from each other.
Love can be a curse. But always and completely... it's a gift.
It's time to stop running Blur.