Chains of Corruption Pt. 02

You hug her back and say, "What am I supposed to do? What if I need advice or help?"

Mara smiles and says, "If you are unsure, follow your heart. If you need help, you have Gwen to support you. When I first awakened, I didn't know what I was supposed to do either, but in time I learned that there are no right or wrong answers. Helping one person may lead to another being hurt, but I trust that you will not take these decisions lightly."

You look back to Mara and ask, "Are you sure we can't seal you away or something until Gwen and I are strong enough to defeat Nero? There has to be some other way..."

Mara smiles and says, "Your heart is so pure Mika, that's why I feel so comfortable leaving everything to you. Unfortunately there is no other option, even if you seal me away, Nero would corrupt me and as soon as you release my seal, he would be free once again."

Mara takes a step back and places a hand on your shoulder and the other on Gwen's as she says, "Wielding divine power means the well being of this world is your first priority, above even your own lives. Many gods in ages past have willingly sacrificed themselves so that life could continue, but with Nero gone, things should be much more peaceful for you two."

You nod in unison with Gwen and Mara says, "Alright Gwen, please stand still and close your eyes."

Gwen tries to hide her excitement as she complies and Mara places her hands on her shoulders. You can see Mara's divine energy flowing into Gwen as she gasps. You watch as Gwen seemingly absorbs the energy and slowly, you begin to feel a new frequency. It is similar to Mara's energy, but unique enough that you can tell them apart.

Gwen's golden blonde hair begins to turn bright white and her clothes glow as they change shape. A short white, elegant looking dress appears over Gwen's body and her legs are clad in white stockings. The dress is perfectly fitted to her curves and is sexy yet tasteful at the same time somehow.

Mara lowers her hands and looks exhausted as Gwen opens her glowing blue eyes and says, "I feel amazing... Is this how it feels all the time?"

Mara smiles weakly and says, "Yes, I'm sorry to rush you along, but now that I am weakened, we must hurry before Nero takes advantage of this."

Mara takes a deep breath and says, "I feel happy, as if everything has fallen into place. I'm ready now, please hurry."

You can't hold back your tears as you conjure your blade of light. Gwen looks away for a moment, but she quickly looks back, wanting to be with Mara in her final moments.

Gwen takes Mara's hand and says, "You don't have to worry about a thing. Mika and I will protect everyone."

Gwen begins to cry as Mara says, "I am truly thankful for everything you two have done for me."

You step forward and with tears streaming down your cheeks you say, "I'll always remember you, I'm so sorry..."

Mara nods and you pierce her chest with your sword. Her pained expression makes this even harder as you release your blade and Mara falls into your arms.

She coughs up blood and weakly smiles as she strains to say, "T-Thanos, mi'kaava."

Unlike her previous deaths, Mara begins to dissolve into thousands of tiny white lights. You hold her tightly in your arms and Gwen kneels down and joins the embrace as the lights flicker and disappear. A few moments later, you are left clutching Mara's dress as you and Gwen continue to cry into each other's arms.

You are so focused on the empty feeling in your heart that you're unsure of how much time passes, but eventually Priscilla enters the room and stands in the doorway.

"Is she... gone?" Priscilla asks hesitantly.

You look up to her and nod, the only form of response you can muster.

"She explained what she was going to have you do before you found us. I should have been here, but I just couldn't I'm sorry, I..." Priscilla says as she breaks down. "Gods, I didn't realize... how attached I'd become to her." Priscilla says between sobs.

You spend a few more minutes crying but eventually you realize Mara would want you to act like a goddess and not a sobbing child.

"I need to get some air." You say weakly.

Gwen sniffs and then says, "Come on, let's get out of here."

You stand up and say, "And go where?"

Gwen hugs you and says, "Anywhere, as long as it's just us. Why don't we lay on the deck of your ship and watch the stars? I'm too sad to be at a party right now."

You agree and as you leave Priscilla says, "Mika, whatever happens now, you know you can still count on us, right?"

You smile and say, "I don't think we could do it without you guys."

Priscilla smiles and says, "Yes, of course. Don't worry about the others, I'll let them know what happened, and... I know I don't say it very often, but I'm thankful for all you've done for us Mika, we all are."

"Please don't start acting like that, I couldn't deal with it if you guys treated me like that too." You say jokingly.

Priscilla laughs softly and says, "Very well, I'll see you tomorrow then."

You say goodbye and walk through the crowded city to the docks. You take the lift up and board the Valkyria but surprisingly, there's no one here and the doors are locked.

"What now? They must be in town with everyone else..." Gwen says.

You smile and say, "I have an idea."

You let your energy form into angelic wings to Gwen's amazement.

"How... They're beautiful." Gwen says as she softly touches your wings.

"It's easy, I'll show you how some other time." You say with a smile.

You lean down and pick Gwen up as your wings lift you into the air. You glide around the ship and land on the deck before setting Gwen down. You both sit down and lay back on the cold metal deck of the Valkyria as your wings disappear. Gwen holds your hand as you gaze up at the stars, and for the first time, you can honestly say that you don't care about going home anymore.

Once again you are stepping into unknown territory, but this time you will have Gwen by your side, supporting you along the way. Life can be boiled down to a series of choices, some of which are out of your control, but if you live with regrets you can never move forward. This is about as far away from what you imagined your life as being only a year ago, but you feel confident in your choices and happy with how things have turned out.

You feel determined to guide this world towards the future Mara has fought so hard for, no matter what it takes. You sense Gwen feels similarly and spend the better part of the night in silence, each of you contemplating your new role in this world. It won't be easy to live up to Mara's reputation, but you are eager to begin a new adventure as a sly smile creeps across your face.