A core, fundamental piece of Viktor’s character that people tend to miss is that deep down, he’s so incredibly scared. He puts on a front of confidence, builds up his walls so tall and so thick that no one can get through them, but inside he’s afraid.
He’s afraid that he’s not good enough, that he’s not worth it. That he can’t compare to everyone around him, that he won’t leave anything of note behind when he’s gone. He’s afraid to be wrong. He’s afraid to die.
When he has to leave Jayce behind, he imagines Sky to keep him company. To praise him and tell him his choices are correct. To keep him from being completely alone. When Jayce returns to their universe, Viktor immediately wants to talk with him, allows him into the commune with his hammer, leads him to his sanctuary, and in his eyes, Jayce shoots him without hesitation. He gives into the Hexcore then— when he feels he’s lost everything.
He’s afraid to be alone. He thinks he’s too far gone at this point, that he can’t go back, that his partner— the one man who means more to him than anything— hates him. So he gives up. Thanks Sky for keeping him company in “his solitude”, before sealing himself inside his own personal bubble. He builds those walls up higher, and hides away behind the mask of the Herald. If you connect the lyrics from “The Line” to Viktor’s mindset after his emergence, it speaks of fear and a desperation for some form of comfort, some form of assurance that everything will be okay despite it all. That he didn’t burn every bridge that he crossed. That despite everything he’s done, he isn’t alone.
He’s tired, he’s scared, and he thinks he’s past the point of no return. He thinks he’s made his choice, and that he’s walking it alone. Only for Jayce to show up and both literally and metaphorically break down those walls, show him that he is not, and will never be, alone. That Jayce will never leave him, will never stop caring for him. Viktor never lost Jayce, even after everything they both went through.
Jayce would not have been stranded in that other universe if it weren’t for Viktor’s actions. None of this would have happened, in any universe, if it weren’t for Viktor’s actions. Yet, Jayce loves him, still. Enough to give everything up for him. Enough to stay with him until the end, even after Viktor gave him the choice to leave and save himself.
In their last moment, as they hold hands and Jayce tenderly holds the back of Viktor’s neck, you can see Jayce grimace and brace for impact. Meanwhile, Viktor’s face is completely calm. He’s not afraid this time. Not with Jayce there with him. He can finally rest knowing that he was enough for someone. He left an impact on someone. He was important to someone. That’s all he’s ever wanted.
