Love is Weak

Chapter 56 - The End is The Beginning

Keith

Every time Honerva destroyed a reality, I felt pain as images of those realities flashed through my mind.

This can't be happening.

In a mad rush, she destroyed every single reality...except one. And if that one reality was destroyed, everything would cease to exist.

We raced her to it, forcing her back, away from the only reality left. For a moment, she had more power, about to push us into the reality and destroy it all.

I saw Lillian.

I saw the wedding we never got to have, the children we never got to have, and how she would be so very alone if I didn't make it back. But if I didn't make it back because the reality was destroyed, she wouldn't even know what hit her.

No.

Then it won't happen.

Suddenly, she was next to me in my Lion.

I looked at her in near horror.

How did you do that?

"Honestly, no idea, but Voltron has one power left to unlock. Keep fighting," she whispered.

With her hand on my shoulder, I pushed forward, unlocking something I didn't know we had. The extra boosters kept us from breaking the one last reality, pushing Honerva into the shared consciousness of all existence.

Lillian, Shiro, Lance, Hunk, Pidge, Allura, and myself stood before Honerva in the vast white space.

"You think you're safe here?" Honerva scoffed. "Soon, all will cease to exist."

Hunk looked at her with pleading eyes. "You have to stop this. All these worlds, all these realities, they deserve to live."

"Those realities are flawed and weak, living out the same pathetic cycle of war and pain," she said bitterly.

She's hurt.

Like the rest of us.

"There is beauty in their flaws," Allura said, stepping closer to Honerva. "I lost my father, my mother, my planet to this war, but I've gained a new family and a purpose stronger than any I could have imagined."

"Humans began very flawed." Pidge said this as if she was gently teaching a child. "There were wars, hate. But with each mistake, they learned and grew."

"And now we reach out to other worlds to pass on those same lessons and spread them across the entire universe. Like your people once did." Shiro was quick to make a connection between us and her to let her know that she was not alone.

"And with every new world touched, the message grows." Hunk conveyed hope, tried to give her something to believe in.

"Every world, every reality. We wouldn't exist without the others," I said softly.

"Our differences are what make us stronger," Lance agreed, an exact echo of what Allura might say.

"You think your words mean anything to me? I've lived multiple lifetimes, and all of them filled with pain and loss. If I cannot experience the simple joys of life, why should anyone else?" Honerva asked.

Because other people want to.

Lillian squeezed my hand.

Allura reached forward, placing her hands on Honerva's temples, and began to remind her of who she was.

"There was a time when you loved more than just your family, a time when your fascination with how vast the universe is gave way to your desire to help and uplift others," Allura said gently, taking her hands away.

"You tried to help him." Honerva sounded sad as she referenced her son. He was happy. He deserved better. Better than I could give."

"Lotor may have been misguided, but ultimately he wanted to preserve life. Honour your son. Help me change this." Allura stood a little straighter.

"I'm sorry, but the damage is done. There's nothing left to save." Honerva looked down.

"I can change the quintessence within your vessel. Your son helped me learn how to transform it from a destructive force into a life-giving force. But I cannot do it alone." she stretched out a hand.

Honerva looked at her, surprise in her eyes. "But that would require..."

"I know the risks," Allura said, and Honerva took her hand, standing up.

She turned around to face us. "I'm afraid this is where we part ways."

"Allura," I said softly as everyone shared some sort of surprise in unison.

"This is our only chance to undo what has been done, to save all of existence. I have to take it. It is my purpose. Your paths go on. Mine ends here," she said.

"But there is no Voltron without you." Hunk didn't want to let go.

"Voltron isn't needed anymore." Allura stepped in front of him. "The rest of the work is up to the people." She put her hand on his cheek. "And they'll have you to guide them, Hunk."

She gave him a hug.

"Goodbye, Pidge," she said next.

I spaced out a little. This wasn't the first death I experienced in a team, but it was the first death that really affected me, creating a sadness I didn't know it could.

Allura turned to me. "Keith, I cannot thank you enough for all you've given me."

"Allura, when you accepted me, it helped me to accept myself. Thank you," I said.

She hugged me. "There is greatness in your heart and in your actions."

Allura moved on to Lillian, hugging her and thanking her for being a part of the team as well.

And then she had one more moment with Lance before she and Honerva stepped into the white void where their families were waiting.

I woke up in my Lion.

"Is this...Are we...?"

"Yeah. It's our reality," Pidge confirmed.

"She did it. She saved us all," Lance said.

"I don't remember that planet being there before," Hunk said, looking in front of us.

"It's Altea," Lance said with awe.

Lillian groaned on the floor of my Lion. I was quick to be at her side, holding her up.

"What happened?" she asked.

"You appeared in my Lion somehow," I answered, in awe but also a little creeped out.

Oh.

"You seem to be in bad shape, though." She was warm and her breathing was a little bit shallow.

"I'm okay," she mumbled as she passed out again.