Ashes

Arch II. Empire of Steel. Epilogue. Threads

He had waited so long for this moment. But now that the Illusive Man had let them go, Eclip was beginning to wonder if it had been worth it. They had walked across the Empire: Eclip, the young Dragon who dared to deceive Fate; Abby, The Creation who saved hundreds of lives but sacrificed herself for the world; and Dean, watching them walking in silence.

After all, it was Dean who told The Ghost what was going on in the prison. And if it weren't for him, that would have been the end of their little journey.

There were many different thoughts in his head. What if it was all in vain? What if people would start a war with the Empire to get their loved ones back? What if Dean had deceived him and he was the one who was following him now, and Abby is already dead? He remembered Nox's words about him being the one who could cause a new catastrophe. Eclip shook his head slightly, driving the intrusive thoughts away. He knew that the more he thought about the bad, the more anxiety he felt. But the desire to turn around and check if she was following him took hold of him with every step.

But he was not allowed to turn around. How can he lose her again? It scares him a lot. The last time Eclip had felt such fear was that fateful night when John, on Deimos's orders, had launched the machine that had killed the girl. That night the monster had broken free.

There was very little time left until the long-awaited freedom. Eclip stopped. All he needed was to open the door. Eclip put his palm to the door, and various images immediately began to pop up in his head:

Xentaron is in flame. People are burning alive in the streets and in their homes. And on top of the Capital's castle, Eclip watches it all. He is alone. But where is Abby? He knew he saved her. He brought her out of the Empire and back home. In the burning skies, he sees her. He sees her fighting for the city and loses the fight, falling down. The flames have consumed her, and Xentaron has died with her.

The image of Xentaron suddenly changed to Delamere, where Dean used to live. The winter that reigned here never ended, but became even harsher. People who could not escape, forever turned into ice statues, and a grimace of horror was frozen on their faces forever. At the top of the mountain there was a Castle. There, alone on a golden throne, Dean was sitting. The throne was surrounded by the corpses of the delamerian gods. Dean was happy. He took revenge on Sigrid for exiling him to the Empire. Now he rules this place. But the desire to rule everyone turned out to be stronger, and he unleashes a war against everyone at the same time, single-handedly killing one lord after another.

The final image was the Empire of Steel. It was crowded like never before. These were living people. They had weapons in their hands. They were ready to fight. Here it is - the war between gods and people. But what could a mortal do against a god? People died one after another.

The images began to replace each other very quickly. Disaster after disaster. And it was all his fault.

Eclip stepped away from the door, breathing heavily. He had seen all the possible exoduses of his journey here. Eclip realized what he really had to do. He has to let her go. This thought filled his heart with unbearable pain, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"Abby..." he said barely audibly. It was very difficult for him to speak. "Forgive me."

He turned around. At that moment, Abby saw his eyes. Eyes filled with pain and sadness. She took his hand and looked at him.

"It's okay," she smiled. "Don't blame yourself for what happened today."

"But... You'll stay here. I can't leave you here."

"You can. Eclip, you are stronger than me. I know it's hard and painful for you. But you are strong. You can handle it, my love. I know that."

Eclip immediately hugged her tightly. "It's time," he heard her quietly whisper before the she disappeared.

The door has been opened, and a powerful gust of winter wind pushed Eclip out of the Shadow Realm. He could no longer get in, no matter how desperately he knocked and begged for another chance.

The next few days were a blur. They say he was found unconscious at the locked entrance. He was shivering from the cold and if it hadn't been for the people from the Cult, he might have died there.

-----

Dean stood on the other side of the door. He knew that he would never have a chance to return home again. But he wasn't also allowed from entering the Empire, because by unanimous decision of all the gods it was decided to exile him to the Crystal Prison forever.

A couple of days later, Nox came down to him. She would visit him often until he lost his mind and decided to escape. But escaping away from here meant forgetting about freedom forever. So Nox came to him for the last time.

"Hello," the girl knelt down in front of Dean's cage. He looked at her silently. It was clear that he was prepared for such an ending, but he didn't think it would happen so soon.

"Why did you come?"

"To see how you're doing. And to tell you the latest news from the Empire."

"News? The Empire has fallen?"

"No. But from what I've heard, many souls have remembered who they were again. There's chaos again. And here it's quiet and calm."

"Make your Masquerade of Oblivion and everything will be fine," he was no longer thrilled by such news. He was tired.

"If only it were that easy. There are many souls, and I am alone. We are looking for another way. After Eclip, everything is different here."

"Eclip..." he growled. "A vile liar who promised me freedom."

Nox knew what he was talking about, and she knew it all ended the way it should.

"I know this story better than anyone, just like my five fingers!" he started to speak "But no matter how many years pass. I never cease to be amazed"

"You led him on a proven path - to the gods, to the pinnacle of glory and honor! But at the line he saw himself. And not someone..."

Nox rose from the cold floor and headed for the exit. She was no longer allowed to come down here, but she didn't tell him that. That day, Dean lost everything: his freedom, his friend... His hope for salvation...

-----

What had to happen happened. Eclip let go of the one whose love his heart breathes with. This separation brought unbearable pain to two loving souls. But after every night comes the dawn, and no one knows when their paths will cross again.