The Unified Soul

You're Never Alone

There was nothing but peace and serenity, not a single ounce of pain did Aaron feel as he slept in a soft bed. However, his peace was not to last. His rest was cut short as his body willed him to wake up with a gasp of air rushing into his lungs. His eyes shot open as his surroundings flooded his vision.

He was no longer at the edge of that cliff standing in front of a mind-controlled Aphmau. He was now inside of a small house filled with strange items, a fireplace, and a single door and window.

"Looks like you're awake." A voice said from the other side of the room. Aaron turned to see a woman standing in front of the stove, a lilac colored hood and cape covering her from the back.

"Where am I?" He asked.

"Don't worry, you're safe here." The stranger said, "Nothing here will hurt you."

"Who are you?"

The stranger smiled, "An old friend. You always managed to get yourself into trouble every once in a while."

Aaron thought for a moment, "Am I..."

"Well, yes... and no." The woman answered, "That girl really hurt you in more ways than one. I'm guessing death was the easy part. Her words pierced your heart, didn't they?"

Aaron couldn't hold back the pain, the tears beginning to fall down his cheeks as he remembered everything that had happened to him just moments ago.

"That all happened, didn't it?" He asked, already knowing the answer as he sat up on the bed, "I fell. She had a knife, and forced me to that ledge!" He slammed his fist onto the table next to the bed, "I should have turned her! I should've done what he said."

"You doubt yourself."

"Of course I do. I failed. I would've done anything for her and I froze."

"You couldn't stand having anyone figuring out who and what you really are, Aaron. And when those you loved the most found out..."

"Everything she said was true." Aaron cried again, "All my life I've been alone. I've had to be. I was a danger to everyone. A monster."

"Is that the same for the girl you call your daughter?" Aaron's attention peaked again as the woman spoke, "She is the same as you. An Ultima. Though I do not know much about her, even I could tell that she was terrified, the same as you when her secret was revealed in front of you and her mother. You and that child, will never be able to open up if you were scared of what you are."

Aaron looked away, remembering that angry tears Airis shed as she looked back at Ein. The black hair with subtle streaks of crimson and white. The crimson colored eyes that screamed for help, for forgiveness. They were the eyes of a lost, lonely little girl asking for someone to hold her. And he didn't even do that for her.

"Aaron, you need to accept who you are." The woman said.

"I was raised to be alone." Aaron stated.

"It's a shame." The woman sighed, "You're not the man I remember."

"Huh?"

"The Aaron I remember wouldn't allow a minor setback like this one to deter him. Even when everything was lost, he pressed on."

Aaron's eyes grew angry, "A minor setback?! The woman I love and my daughter are in danger and you're calling it a minor setback!!" He shouted.

"Exactly. They're in danger. Being near death almost made you forget. There are people who are in danger, Aaron. People you care deeply about. Are you just going to give up and forget them?"

"I...."

"Maybe you should. After all, the woman you loved caused this, and did nothing to help your daughter."