Between Duty and Love

Chapter 11 - From stone to dust

Primordial One's POV

 The clock continued to tick.

 For some, it was merely days, but for others, it was hundreds of years.

 I wonder what it is like for him. Going years after years, not knowing whether he'll be able to return to the one he loves.

 Before, these 700 years would have been nothing to Barbatos. Merely a few more years of having nothing to do.

 But now, everything he had was at stake.

 If he can't go home now, even if I figure out another way in the future, I can't guarantee that some of his friends wouldn't have died by that time.

 Even if Xiao can live long enough, humans can't.

 There's still the option to go as a spirit, just like the other wind spirits had done in Kazuha's case, but...

 That's just not the same. It's not real.

 The burden of materializing his body for even just a hug would be too great for even him to bare. 

 Spirits belong in the spirit world and the restrictions on them are far too strict.

 It would be too difficult to live like that.

 I'm a little afraid, honestly.

 I'm afraid that if he cannot return, Barbatos will break.

 He has become too attached, too dependent on someone who does not belong in his world.

 His emotions had been unstable, to begin with. Even though they did calm down in Xiao's presence, his loss would probably cause them to burst.

 "Wouldn't that be bad for you too?" I asked as I looked at the tree.

 Barbatos was still just sitting there, I couldn't get close. But even if I did, what would I do?

 "I wish you would have warned me beforehand. I could have figured something out to prevent this situation. You know better than anyone how he is, the spirits are your children after all."

 Why would you do something so suddenly? Why couldn't you give someone a sign?

 "Maybe you tried. Maybe this is all my fault."

 I stopped getting involved with this world long ago. Had it not been for the fact that Brabtaos was always bored and found nothing better to do than come and pick a fight with me, I might have just remained stuck in my research forever.

 Have I been too absent? Did I not hear your warnings because of that?

 You still have a few hours. 

 Even if you don't recover completely, just be well enough for the spirits to be able to help.

 Before you become stable, Barbatos can't leave here. This was your rule.

 Why do you restrict them so much?

 Their presence is almost never required.

 You could just let them live their life freely and call them back in the moment of need.

 Why all the restrictions? Why all the rules?

 What's the point?

 You're only hurting them this way.

 You're only hurting him this way.

 If you lose him like this, you'll suffer too.

 You can always create a new one, but will it really be the same?