The End & The Beginning

"But I do regret hurting you and your mother…"

Alinea stared in surprise at the Black God before her eyes turned wistful and she shook her head; a smile curved her lips. 

"I should hate you— but I don't," she told him. "You might have hurt me, but I cannot ignore the fact that your ultimate goal was for my father's happiness. You've set him free. Also, it's a fact that without you, I won't be here."

It was Czernobog's turn to look surprised. It was as if he had long since accepted the fact that he'd be hated and was unprepared to be told otherwise. "You…"

Alinea reached out a hand to cup his face and used her thumb to wipe his tears as she smiled up at him. "You've reached your goal grandfather. Go and get reincarnated. You owe me a lot when you remember and we see each other next…"