Fresh Beginnings

We survived long enough to see tomorrow

The Light lives in all places, in all things. You can block it, even try to trap it, but the Light will find its way

On a cloudless summer day, a gentle breeze wafted through the Last City. The Traveler had returned to its rightful place in the sky. Beneath it, a garden grew, and at its center stood a memorial to those whose Light was forever lost.

Micah-4 strode along the winding, circular stone paths. Small insects buzzed out of the way of his flowing robes and disappeared into the vibrant blooms scattered throughout the greenery. As he passed beneath an archway of twisting branches and verdant leaves, the world suddenly grew quieter, save for the distant hum of jumpships and the soft cooing of a nearby pigeon.

Before him stood a statue of three Guardians, one for each discipline. Their heads were bowed solemnly, backs turned to one another, hands resting upon the pommels of their swords.

Micah knelt before them and closed his yellow eyes.

Memories from his long life flooded his mind: his resurrection; the night he and Pervanni chose forever; teaching everything he knew to Veri; the Dawning with Fjell-13 and Aniello; the Red War, when he lost his love; the years when he strayed from his path; and the fireteam that eventually brought him back.

After hundreds of years of fighting and loss, with existence balanced on a knife's edge, the unprecedented peace within the Last City almost felt like deceit.

A hand rested gently upon his shoulder.

Before he opened his eyes, he knew it was the touch of his former protégé.

"I see you heeded my words," Veri said warmly.

Micah opened his eyes.

"You've always been wise beyond your years."

His tone was light, though he remained kneeling.

Veri sat cross-legged beside him, and a comfortable silence settled between them. She gazed up at the Traveler. Micah kept his eyes on the stone Titan.

"She would be proud," Veri said, still looking skyward.

Micah nodded faintly.

"She fought for so long."

Silence filled the space between the words before he continued.

"I wish she could have seen the fruits of real peace."

He thought of Pervanni's stalwart Light. Her kindness. Her refusal to give up.

"To the bitter end..." Micah whispered, repeating an old memory.

"...and to fresh beginnings," Veri finished, completing the motto of their shared grief.

Micah smiled.

For the first time in a long while, the past, present, and future all made sense.

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