@dragoonvowedย asked: A new world awaits ready to emerge in the wake of Ultimaโs demise. Freedom, long overdue, is now available. Nevertheless, liberation alone is not enough. Societies will need to be reconstructed from the ruins left behind, and lessons will need to be learned. People must live with dignity in this approaching era, transforming suffering into something kinder. At least, Terence believes so. Sanbreque, too, must be reborn from its own detritus ; must look upon its past mistakes to become something better. For a while, he says nothing, simply standing beneath the expanding light, steel-azure hues intensified by the first touch of sun peeking through. โ It's been a while since I watched such a beautiful sunrise. โ
Is this it? He wonders, as he gazes up at the first rays of morning light. Is this the end of the reign of gods and pre-determined fate, and the beginning of a new chapter for men?
Despite having dreamed for so long of a world where all would be free and all would be treated with respect and dignity, in some ways it feels hollow for him now that it's here. After all, both of his sons are still gone, leaving only the weight of years stolen from them and words not spoken sooner. Their sacrifice was noble... But that does little to quell the pain of a loved one, no matter how true it may be. (They should be here to greet it too.)
Humanity has been saved. The world can begin its long and arduous process of healing, and in turn can society build itself anew -- no matter how difficult the journey will be. (And it will, indeed, be difficult.) The short-term pain will be worth it to pave a better, kinder future for generations yet to come; and for those of today, should they so choose to, they will be the ones to build that foundation one brick at a time, just as The Founder had done so long ago. They will be the ones to tell stories of this monumental triumph, just as they will be the ones to tell stories of mankind's darkest hours, and all will be necessary in weaving together the chronicled history of Valisthea.
With all voices being heard.
When the much younger man speaks, "Miles" shifts his focus from the horizon over to him. The statement gives him pause; for as much grief and pain and rage has roiled within throughout the years, taking a moment to appreciate the sunrise seems... almost necessary. As the night bids farewell, the sun brings with it a sense of hope that he has not felt in decades, at the very least.
And so he breathes deep, and exhales slowly, before nodding his agreement. "Indeed. A sunrise that will be remembered for ages." Then there's another pause. That sea-blue gaze turns to the sky again, before he makes his inquiry: "What will you do now?"