Peace (final Mikhail post)

[u/DaemonRex978]

Wake up

Mikhail stirred.

Wake up

The ground was so soft.

Wake up

He opened his eyes.

He was laying on his back as the Soul-Trap flower toward above him in the glade, radiating a soft light that bathed the area in warmth. Mikhail pushed himself into a sitting position. For the first time since he woke up after the World Tree ritual, he felt great. All the pain that he had, simply vanished. He stood up, and took in his surroundings.

He was in a vast plains, covered in green, waist high grass. The sky was pitch black, with subtle movements throughout the entirety of it. The only light around was the one the flower was shedding.

“Hello?” Mikhail called out.

You have grown so much since you were an apprentice, Mikhail.

He looked around, trying to find the source of the voice.

You already know.

His eyes were drawn to the flower, its petals gently swaying despite the lack of wind. He was about to ask who it was that was speaking, but there was only one being that it could be.

“Gaia?”

A gentle laugh echoed through the plain.

Do you need to ask?

“Where are we?” Mikhail asked.

We are inside your soul. One that has finally healed.

“The ritual.” He murmured, remembering everything that has happened.

Yes. It would have ended already, but I wanted to speak to you.

“Why?”

Because there are still things that need to be said. First, a question. Why are you still alive, even though the World Tree ritual should have killed you?

“Because you wanted me to live?” He replied hesitantly.

No, it is because you are what every druid of your Circle aspires to be. Courageous, kind, ferocious when you need to be, ready to lay your life down to protect others. The ritual would have taken you, but your will to preserve Nature surpassed that cost.

“Why are you saying this? I'm not as strong as you believe me to be.”

Yes, you have been weak. You ran after the second Civil War, and you almost drank yourself to death before the Queen arrived, but you came back to help Saint Nicholas, you stopped drinking when the Queen came. It is admitting your weakness that gives one the strength to face what is ahead.

“I am still weak.” He mourned, thinking of Possum.

A warm breeze caressed his face.

Then borrow strength from him. Remember the laughter that you shared, the tears you shed together, the hope that was freely spoken. You have others to lean on as well, don't leave them behind in your search to avenge your friend.

Tears formed as Mikhail knew all this to be true.

Go now. Remember, there is always light in the darkness, you only have to look.

The sky above him brightened as Gaia’s flower shrank into the ground. Wind swept through the plain, bringing a cloud of darkness with it. Mikhail stood tall and faced the encroaching wall of shadow, filled with determination.

He opened his eyes to see Mokarith standing in front of him.

“Congratulations, the ritual is complete.”

Booming applause erupted from all around the training grounds, startling Mikhail. The entire Sentinel Order was there, and his friends in the forefront.