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What... Zephyr spat as he weakly looked at Cataclysm in horror...
The two of them stood at the edge of Dragon's Valley, surrounded by raging flames and twisted memories of the past.
They were in a fight, which Zephyr was losing.
Did you not hear me? Cataclysm laughed sickeningly... As if someone was trying to place poison inside your eardrums
Then I'll repeat it again since I'm generous...
The world HAS to be burned... So the world can renew... In ashes, destruction,... And flames! I've told you for so long, my precious! Consider this the last time I repeat myself... His expression darkened... It truly breaks my heart you don't share my vision... Can't you see how beautiful the world is?! All painted and crafted by my expertise alone! He said accompanied by a twisted smile on his face.
Zephyr didn't break eye contact... He continued to stare at Cataclysm in horror. He was trying to process everything.. Much so, it also looked like he was holding back tears...
You've.. Become a monster... He whispered to himself before raising his voice as it cracked
I've always been one... Cataclysm replied, fidgeting with a flame in his fingertips... Ever since the moment I was reborn... I was just too pathetic back then to realize!
Fire, you're so... Unfamiliar now... But all your ignorance, all your pain, your pride caused you to become what you are now... I gave you an opportunity?! And you literally STILL tried to hide everything with that stupid smirk on your face! You think this is good?! This supposed world you built? This is the consequence of your actions-
Zephyr was cut off as Cataclysm dragged him and threw him on the floor.
Don't you dare call me that name again. He said angrily... I am the all-MIGHTY Immortal Cataclysm, you hear me?! I was weak, scared, ashamed, and hid my true potential! If I'm a Monster, so be it?! Does it look like I care? This is what I wanted! Don't you see? God Zephy, you can't at least be happy with me, can't you!
It's too bad... I wanted to share this beautiful world with you, but you just can't accept it...
Maybe it's just better if I let you go as well... No one ever stays... he sighed
You are such a delicate, sweet, precious birdie... It's such a shame... Cataclysm lowered himself so the bruised Zephyr could see him more clearly...
I really loved you.. You know that? But I can't let anyone get in the way of my happiness...
Never again..
W-wait- don't! ---
Cataclysm punched Zephyr to silence him once more...
Then he rubbed his cheek softly as if manipulating him or giving him solace... at this point, Zephyr didn't even know as he struggled to get up, all he could make out in his foggy vision was Cataclysm's wicked smile...
Zephyr wanted to pity him; he wanted himself to believe the man he loved was still there....somewhere.
But it looked like he hardened his heart fully before anyone could soften it again.
Zephyr still had a mission.. And he was still breathing.. So he forced himself to get up. He saw the faces of Millennial tree, Sugar swan, and all of his friends... All disappointed... he didn't know if it matter anymore, though. Since they all burned... and died...
he was the only one left.
You still up for it? Cataclysm laughed
Awhhh so cute... I thought you would have given up... Are we finally on the same page? Or are you still lost... Cataclysm said as he lunged at Zephyr once more.
Zephyr tried to block him with the remaining strength he had left... He could still save the world, right?
Right? But he also knew he wouldn't make it out alive... He was shaking, injured, bruised and could feel the forest's blessing fade.
He knew he wouldn't win. But he still held himself... Despite knowing he'd probably die doing so...
Zephry looked at Cataclysm in the eyes... As he noticed how differently it acted from the rest of his body... It flickered.. Unnaturally.
Behind the deadly gaze, he saw something much more familiar.
He couldn't stop his tears from flowing...
He had already failed everyone.. Including Fire, or what he now calls himself, Cataclysm, too.
He began to accept his death, but was still shaken and disappointed that he couldn't save everyone. He was supposed to protect all life, big and small? He couldn't do it; he couldn't even save one of the
people he loved the most, when he had the chance to...
He had spent all his life devoted to what he was made for. To save the world, he didn't even have time to fully learn how to truly understand- and help others.
Even his own self.
It all hit him at once, too suddenly.
Maybe that's why Fire didn't trust him when he offered help... The times he ignored him, didn't understand him, thought he was just some fallen spirit in need of purification... He swore on his life he would complete his mission... And still failed all of it.
maybe that's where he went wrong
He could still see Fire inside Cataclysm...
Those warm ember eyes that looked at him differently than anyone ever would... He would say stupid catchphrases that were clearly from books, all those years ago. They would sit underneath trees, looking at the clouds, talking about life, All those times he'd silently followed behind Fire's back during missions or fights, giving strict instructions planning the perfectly calculated plan in his own mind, what he deemed to be perfect ... Maybe he should have walked beside him instead, listened what Fire had to offer to combine their own strengths and weaknesses into solutions which would have been far more useful... Maybe if he had done that, he would have seen the sheer loneliness and pain Fire carried a lot more clearly.
He was stupid and was just realizing that at the brink of his death. He tried to remind himself of the times both of them were just elemental guardians, trying to keep the world safe no matter what they thought about it, if they loved it, hated it, or if it was all they've ever known.
But still all that he could hear was the loud cackling of fire...
His strength was leaving his body... vision got even more warped and blurry...
Zephyr couldn't hold much longer... He hesitated...
But this time he did look at reality... This is what it all came to be... In this universe, this is how the world will end.
Or maybe it can be renewed...
Maybe, someday.. Earth bread will flourish again by some miracle.... Despite how cruel fate is, despite their mistakes... It will turn into something new... Something better than leaving the world in ash and rubble...If that is truly the case.
Maybe, it wouldn't be so bad to die at Cataclysm's hands,
Zephyr thought as his eyes softened... Tears still streaming down his cheeks
As the whole world burns, I hope you may forgive me, he muttered weakly as he finally let go.
And with a single swing of Cataclysm's staff...
Zephyr, the Guardian of Forest and Life, perished in front of the man he once........no, still loved.
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Cataclysm laughed... Possibly in both satisfaction and anguish, finally.. everything and everyone was dead... By his own hands.
But... What joy do you get out of turning the entire world to ash?
As his laughter toned down... He stared at Zephyr's lifeless corpse in front of him for a solid 10 minutes...
Then he knelt and lifted the corpse.... hugging it as if Zephyr was still alive.
He cradled it...
Bragging about how perfect the world is... Blaming him for not staying and whispering sweet nothings, as he caressed Zephyr's cheek... He even wiped the tears that were still present on the corpse.
He looked around him... He was happy with what he accomplished...
But why did his agony ache so much more than his joy?
Maybe it's better if I just... disappear too, he laughed once more.. Crazier but quieter this time... He plucked a feather from Zephyr's wings, held it close, stood up, and faced the raging flames he created.
With the widest manic looking smile on his face, he walked in, looking back at Zephyr's corpse as they both got consumed by flames.
Don't worry my precious Wind... I'll be with you again soon.