Fate and the Defiant Angel (COMPLETED)

Part 9- Acceptance

Ariel watched as Zara slowly sunk beneath the surface of the water until she was gone. She stood and stared at the water as it became clear. She could have sunk beneath the surface and faded away back to the real world where time passed. Ariel had everything she wanted. She was back and in charge. She could accomplish all the things she'd dreamed while locked away.

But . . . she couldn't just yet.

She slowly turned, the water stirring silently around her as she made her way back to the little boat. Ariel distantly remembered her first time visiting this place. She had been so very new and so very nervous. Fate had seemed so wise and intelligent then. Time changes so much.

She walked back to the door, not knocking this time as she walked in. Fate was now standing, slowly pulling books off from the shelves. Ariel watched silently as the books were placed in a box which seemed to be never-ending. It seemed Fate was packing up to leave.

"Do you think you are done?" Ariel called out, head tilted, and eyes narrowed.

They turned in a fake surprise and smiled at Ariel. Fate placed one more book in the box before turning Their full attention to Ariel.

"One can never be truly done, but you are allowed to rest," They said with a small smile.

Ariel stared at Fate for a long time, trying to work out what to say. She hadn't always been to talented with words. It was something that she had regretted with her siblings. She hadn't been a fan of long conversations and chats. If an angel came up to her with issues her only response was to fix the problem. She didn't understand when people just wanted to vent or wanted comfort. She wanted to fix things. She didn't want to talk.

Yet, here she stood desperately needing to talk.

"I do not understand why she is letting me live," Ariel admitted, her voice quiet and soft.

"Ahh," Fate said softly. They slowly walked behind Their desk and sat down, every movement graceful and poised. Long and delicate fingers were interlaced and placed in front, Their full attention upon Ariel. "What you need to understand Ariel is the simple fact that Zara is not you. You two share a soul, but not a life. You hung on, were not processed in the correct way, and were stuck in the back of a mind for centuries. You didn't impact Zara until the last few months. Everything she is, is most certainly not because of you."

"Do you think her better than me? Do you think that she deserves do live more than I? Are you telling me that I should have let myself die?" Ariel challenged.

Fate sighed and shook Their head. "I am telling you that you cannot understand Zara's motives purely by thinking she is you. I have known you for such a long time Ariel, but I have never thought you to be selfless. I know you are brave, and smart and loyal. You are a fighter, but no warrior. You were made to create and, in a way, rule. Your life was not created with the intention of sacrificing yourself for others."

"That's not true," Ariel snapped. "I sacrificed myself for all the angels who they murdered. I was willing to die to save their free will and souls."

Fate shook Their head slowly. "No, you died in battle. You did not sacrifice yourself, Ariel. That is no bad thing of course. You wanted to lead and guide your kind to greatness, and how could such a thing be accomplished if you were dead?"

Ariel's breathing was getting heavier. Her shoulders were so tense they ached. She was getting emotional, and she despised it. "Why is it that Zara can so easily cast aside her life? Why is she letting one human live, because we both know that there is only one person on that battlefield who she needs to live?"