With and Without You (AetherxAyaka)

Chapter 23: The Passionate Firework Lady

Time heals all wounds, or at least anything that wasn't too serious.

But that's exactly the problem. Some wounds were too serious.

A gash too deep leaves a scar, an intense burn leaves a mark. Or in the more severe spectrum: a severed limb doesn't regrow.

But it wasn't just from a physical aspect either.

Mental wounds such as insults or even heartbreak can heal if given enough time; but time couldn't heal everything in that category either.

This was occurring to Aether as he had sipped on tea. His mind had thought about those in Inazuma who couldn't be healed by time, despite being within the land of Eternity.

They have all the time in the world, an Eternity to heal, yet...

Those who had been slain in war, those who have died protecting their visions or injured in the process.

Those who had lost their aspirations, hopes, and dreams. Those who lost everything.

They hadn't healed and they probably never will...

A voice called Aether from his own mind.

"Is something on your mind Traveler?"

Thoma walked back into the the room and sat down at the floor. Opposite side of the table Aether was on, Thoma has picked out that even during a relaxing time at the Komore Teahouse, Aether had still been mentally hard at work.

Aether blinked his back into reality, focusing on the man who had just addressed him.

"I suppose so yeah..." Aether admitted sitting down his tea.

"Might I ask what it is that's been troubling you?"

"The same thing that brothers you and Ayaka. The people here in Inazuma are in a way suffering from the Vision Hunt Decree. Not to mention the war in itself... even if I can change this nation, I can't save those who have been far too inured or traumatized..."

Thoma took a deep breath after drinking from his cup. He was a fairly upbeat man, so he had to prepare for what he was about to say.

"You know... Ayaka has the same issue. You both can't hold yourself reliable for all which you cannot help. This may sound cruel, but the cold fact is.... we can't save everyone. Even after we resolve this conflict, which we will, there will always be someone that is beyond our scopes of reach."

To hear it from Thoma of all people...

... but deep down Aether knew it was true. He knew that Ayaka was knew it as well.

Yet they both still believe that they can somehow save everyone.

"There were times..." Aether spoke slowly initially due to contemplating wether to share the story or not "...where we couldn't save people on our journey. An old friend of Rex Lapis, Azdaha an ancient dragon of a sort. He eventually fell to the darkness like so many others and became corrupted... tainted with evil and rage even. He could no longer be suppressed of saved, so together we slew what remained of him. And another was one of the Lawrence family. While he was certainly detestable, he was still close family to Eula. She and I attempted to correct his course of collision catastrophe, but he never listened..."

"There's so much to see as a Traveler, but that includes everything good and bad. I can't imagine that it's easy to be an adventurer like you, Aether."

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Ehhh... it could be worse. I have emergency food and great weapons at my disposal..." Paimon shot Aether a glare at his comment.