It is at moments like these I am thankful for the Lightbearer. If it had not intervened I would've probably destroyed whatever relationship I have with the knight. Instead, I was forced to go through my calming exercises before answering.

It also helped me realize that I can't keep going like this, just being let loose without any filter. Which is why, now I'm walking through the hills, I am contemplating asking the angel in my head to pick up its job again.

But…

But I don't want to go back to the man who was barely allowed contact with his anger, who almost succumbed to the terror of this world. The rage I wield is one of my strongest defense mechanisms; I know it's not healthy, that's what the therapy is for. At the same time, I don't want to become an exile.

And a middle way is not really a thing with angels.

I'm ignoring the stuff that has haphazardly dropped from the sky as I make my way back to the obelisk, mulling over how to ask the Lightbearer and in the end deciding to just go for it.

'Lightbearer, I wish to thank you for your intervention earlier. I- the knight is right, it's not useful if I keep just- just spitting out hate. It hurts to hear but she's right. Could you,.. filter or dampen it? I- not completely I-"

I see you, I know you. Do not worry, I shall be watchful.

Right, great. Well guess that is settled. I know I shouldn't doubt it, it's an angel after all. And-

I feel it settle around me and over me like a warm mantle. The rage is still there, but softer somehow. It's comfortable, which leads me to a question.

'Lightbearer, was this possible all along?'

It was.

'Then why the- why is this the first time you've done this to me?' This is the first time I feel such deep anger towards the Lightbearer. Anger that almost immediately dissolves as they answer.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Because it is not what you wished to be. You wished to be able to act without anger. You needed to learn to live without it first.

A succinct answer. I suppose I should've known not to doubt the lightbearer. I stop moving for a moment as I consider my new-found comfort. It's a good thing I do, or else I would've failed to notice them, the numerous faint golden shimmers up in the void above me.

Emotion wells up in me, joy, relief, the transcendent feeling of faith rekindled, wonder. For a moment the anger subsides as I see the stars that now dot the sky. Each a reflection of the divinity of Sol. Tears roll down my face.

I bask in the feelings for a moment before I undercut them. I say it to myself aloud as I close my eyes.

"This place, is not home. Those may not be stars."

I pray to Sol. The lightbearer joins me in my prayer. When I'm done I continue on the tasks the knight gave me.

⟱⟱⟱

As the shepherd steps down the stairs to check on the gray swarm, something stirs in the deep. A being the beast in the Black gave me knowledge of…

As I see it, so does it see me. Like the thing in the darkness it is barely visible within its domain. Only two pinpricks of light focus on me.

I am afraid. But I must know.

"I see you spawn of the black."

There is some relief to hear the tone of the thing is not angry. Instead the ethereal voice, this time limited to the confines of the White, is curious.

"What brings you here?"

Above me the shepherd is inspecting the liquid swarm in the tomb. The knowledge given to me by the creature in the Black sky informs me it would be likely that liquid swam would soon be erased.

"Not spawned by my opposite then? Interesting. You are right, I will not allow that swarm to exist for much longer, purposeless as it is."

The shepherd steps back up the stairs to gather objects, having seen the swarm remain unmoving. Purpose must be given to the swarm, and there is a single entity that can do this.

"Before you leave, a gift from me, to you"

Knowledge floods my mind once again, a balance I was missing now holds sway. I am once again in bliss. Gratitude fills me as I ascend from the White.

I cannot act yet, it would be unwelcome, but there is time to save the gray liquid resting in what would've been its tomb.

I don't know why I care about it, but I do, just as much as I do about the knight and the shepherd. I will ensure it does not deserve to be erased.