" everyone else has moved on, ”  the darkness settles about them as if a blanket, cold and wet, dragging him down. once more, he is reminded of how he is the last one standing, still here ( oh, what he would give for one more day in time of youth long past ). yet, it does not stop him from moving forward still, fighting for what he loved and believed, long may it have passed. he would continue to be what was branded of him --- immortal. protect and serve.  “ but i am still here. "  reminder that he was not alone in the dark; in his grief.

      “    I no longer wish to fight.    ”      she had once called aranea highwind a traitor.  perhaps that too now applied to her.  the empire had proven to be wrong ; their goals never for the benefit of mankind , but their own selfish gains.  she was programmed to fight for man  (  a blessing that her creator had not been specific upon her creation  ) , and despite her desertion of the empire , that had not changed.  now , she fought for man alone , with no discrimination between lucian and niflheim.  it was as it should have been.  but she had made enemies along the way ; an effect of blind loyalty , given where it was not deserved.  it was only with self-discovery , and the perseverance of her partner that they had discovered the truth.  she faces one given title of shield , a stalwart figure before her , yet no great threat to her ; strength far greater than appearances might lead one to believe.      “    I am no longer your enemy.    ”