Nearing the End

"Your body.."

"It is nothing but the price I should pay."

Standing on the bridge of light Lyrea watched as Koel returned to normal from his confined state. Where once he was fully formed he now stood cracked and pitted, worn from the journey, from breaking past one of the wardens to his imprisonment.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No. But there is something I can do."

Reaching forward Koel cupped Lyrea's arm, "Relax now my dear, I cannot restore what has been lost to purpose but I can heal your wounds."

A surging warmth traveled through Lyrea's body as the cold that still rested upon her was driven away, healing and drawing her skin to a close, letting go Koel looked upon Lyrea again.

"Without you… I never would have passed..."

"I know," stopping Koel's words Lyrea shook her head, "but I would not have passed without Berick's sacrifice."

"I owe my friend too much even after death."

"Let us walk."

With Lyrea in the lead she led Koel down the path of light, continuing their journey.

…

"How does it feel?"

"To be carried or to see so many worlds lie in ruin because of one man's actions?"

"...Both."

Reaching her remaining arm up Lyrea smiled, "I feel no pain at the loss of such a course, it is only the weight of what I see that lies upon me."

"It will always be so."

"How far are we on this journey? How many worlds remain?"

Stopping his steps Koel gazed up, peering through the white bridge above, "Soon. Soon we shall be at the center of all, where I fell so long ago."

Lightly laughing Lyrea pressed her head against the bones of Koel's chest, "I feared there would not be enough of me to last."

"A foolish worry my dear. You are perfection, it would not be perfect to reach the final door and be unable to travel through it."

"And what happens after this journey Koel?"

Resuming his steps with the body of Lyrea in his arms Koel retained his silence.

"I thought so."

…

Time passed.

World after world was stepped through as Koel carried Lyrea in his arms, stripping more from her as their journey came closer to its end.

"Do you hate me for the decision I gave you so long ago?"

"No, you gave me a choice to be free of the slavery that I was trapped within. Without that, I would be nothing but a mere puppet, a shell of Vena's."

"Are you not just a puppet of mine?"

"I give myself willingly. It is not like you to be so softly spoken Koel, so full of regret."

"Perhaps, perhaps not. Maybe more of Asmonon is within me than I wish to admit."

"For a being of such power and understanding, you can be so foolish."

"Is that bad?"

"No, it is human."