Atticus was at a crossroads.
Monts ago he'd been ditating, trying to get used to entering the stage of Logoth and erasing his emotions, when he felt a familiar aura appear from the surface, followed by an explosion, and now, words.
He just finished listening to Kaino speak, and to be entirely honest, he hadn't been shocked.
It was a betrayal even he saw coming.
'Because she didn't listen to my advice.'
People were predictable creatures. They had a desperate need to assert dominance, to feel control over sothing… anything.
The mont that sense of control was threatened, they would rebel. It was simply in their nature. The more they were pushed, the harder they lashed out.
The incident weeks ago with Anorah and Kaino cented all that occurred today.
This was why Atticus had never left room for uncertainty. He never allowed equality, never compromise. Only absolute domination.
To him, it was the only way to maintain order, the only language the world truly understood. To give people the opportunity to betray you was like waving candy to a child. The opportunity would be snatched faster than thought.
Regardless, what happened had already happened. There was no going back, only forward. Which brought Atticus back to the conundrum.
Should he fight, or flee?
'If what I feel is accurate, life force is being used.'
From Kaino's words, and the current situation, it was obvious that the will guard were the cause of this crisis.
'The sentinels.'
Did it an that the use of life force was connected to the will guard? Had Whisker's siblings been involved with them? Was the nature king even responsible for the invasion of the lower planes, or had it always been the will guard?
'Because of Solvath's fragnt…'
They were all frightening assumptions, ones that made him feel uneasy. It would an that he was being monitored, all this ti.
'I have to decide, quickly.' He took in a deep breath, facing upwards. The major cause of his hesitation was the presence of life force.
It was such an impossible weapon. One that had the power to make the normal rules of clash obsolete. The dangers he would be in should he decide to fight could not be overstated.
'Is it worth it?'
Atticus asked the question in his mind. Was fighting… worth it? The current situation wasn't his fault, and he wouldn't gain anything should he even decide to fight. He would be risking his life, for a world he barely knew, and a woman he only just t months ago.
Was it worth it?
Atticus felt his emotions churn. He had gone through the sa dilemma before. Back then, monts before his massacre on the Zorvan world, he had wondered the type of person he wanted to be.
One who wouldn't hesitate to enact a massacre if it was necessary, and also one who wouldn't hesitate to risk his life if a loved one was in danger. Which begged the question, was Anorah a loved one?
'No.'
He was infatuated with her, definitely. He liked being in her presence, talking to her, definitely; however, the title loved one held more weight than infatuation.
Right now, he didn't only have himself to think of. What would happen to his people at ho if sothing should happen to him due to this choice?
'I'll let Logoth decide.'
Atticus took in a breath, and closed his eyes.
He had weeks to master this technique, and after constant practice, it ca as easy as breathing to him.
As his and Solvath's emotions began to churn within him, he felt his mind stir. Every heartbeat slowed. Every thought, every feeling, began to fall away. Rage. Doubt. Grief. Even pride.
He felt them all rise once more like a storm, and then, he let go.
The storm collapsed inward. The world ceased to have sound.
Atticus opened his eyes.
Logoth.
Everything was quiet.
The endless thoughts, the rhythm of his heartbeat, even the faint sound of air all fell away. The world was reduced to fras and vectors, movent and calculation.
His mind no longer asked questions, it processed.
'Fight.'
The odds were poor. Too many uncertainties. Too much risk.
He gained nothing by fighting.
'Stay.'
Pointless. Attachnt. Distraction.
'Flee.'
Practical. Logical. Clean.
He reached the conclusion almost imdiately and he felt no weight, not even a shred of guilt.
He had long since found out that in Logoth, decisions were not choices, they were inevitabilities.
Suddenly, Atticus felt a faint familiar energy in the air. His eyes traced it towards the dojo wall behind him. But as he turned, it abruptly flared a bright light.
'A portal.'
The next mont, a figure appeared just before him.
Atticus fixed his eyes on Kancilot. He was still, staring into empty space. Obviously, he was also being afflicted with the sa force attacking the other people of Asterra.
The old king had insisted on remaining in Asterra with him, and had been given accommodation in the sanctum of light.
That he was here right now could only an one thing: the god willed it.
Another flash of light brought him out of his thoughts. As he turned, he was surprised to see Anorah standing in front of him.
'No, it's a clone.'
"I'm afraid our ti together has co to an end." Anorah offered Atticus a sad smile. "I can't say it hasn't been pleasant. The ti spent with you has been one of the best tis in my lifeti."
Atticus didn't respond. He only stared. His mind begged him to release Logoth, to feel, but he held on tightly.
Anorah closed the distance and placed her hand on his cheek. She looked into his emotionless eyes and smiled knowingly.
"I know… it turns out your advice was right. Try not to gloat."
Her voice softened, almost tender.
"You're one of the most unique n I've ever t, and it's truly been a pleasure. But I'm afraid this will be the last ti we see each other. Behind is another portal, hidden from the others. It leads back to your world."
She let out a tired sigh.
"Everything happening right now… it's my fault. And I plan on taking responsibility for it."
Before he could respond, Anorah suddenly closed the remaining distance and pressed her lips to his.
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