Chapter XVI

Rennigan didn’t have even the slightest clue why he suddenly woke up crying, for with each second that passed, whatever nightmare left him in such a vulnerable state was becoming fainter and fainter. There were glimpses of a forest and a campfire, but the faces of those who were sitting there with him were blurred, before even his memories of them completely vanished. After around a minute of sobbing, he could no longer even recall the setting of the dream, so he decided it wasn’t worth wasting his time over. Hirokol sat beside him, awkwardly placing his hand on his back as if uncertain what he was supposed to be doing. Rennigan had never woken up like this, and given that he and Hiro spent most of their conversations bickering and teasing, the water mage wasn’t surprised that his roommate failed to properly respond to what was a rather serious incident. Nevertheless, Rennigan was beyond grateful that Hiro at least tried to offer him some solace, so when his tears began to slow, he managed to whisper a weak,

“Thank you, Hiro.”

“Oh, er, yeah, of course,” his friend responded. “ But Glaus, are you sure you’re okay? Like, did something happen yesterday that you didn’t tell us about? I mean, you seemed in pretty pleasant spirits after the exams, but did you actually fail one or something, cause if so, we’re not gonna judge you. Trust me, you didn’t do worse than Jessi did.”

Rennigan laughed, a sound more joyful than Hiro would have ever heard from him, causing the other man to narrow his eyes in even further confusion. “No, it’s nothing like that. I promise, I just had a really bad dream, but I’ve already forgotten it, so it doesn’t matter. Nothing bad happen—”

“Because, Glaus, I’m not gonna get out of here by walking over your corpse.”

A shiver went down his spine, cutting him off mid-sentence as he frantically looked around the dorm room for any sign of who spoke, only to find him and Hiro still alone like he had believed they were. In fact, that voice had sounded like Hiro’s, but he knew the wind mage hadn’t said anything, so he shook his head and told himself he was imagining things before finishing his point.

“Anyway, I’m fine, so let’s get moving, yeah?” Rennigan smiled. “Where are we going?”

Hiro hesitated. “Did you hit your damn head last night?”

“No? Why?”

“Because…” The man let out a tired sigh. “You know what, never mind? We’re going to the market, remember? Faye and Jessi wanted to celebrate the first day of summer and the end of exams by having a little outing together. Honestly, I’m damn shocked you even agreed to it. I figured you’d be bitching about already needing to study for next year.”

Rennigan smirked, understanding Hiro’s assumption given his typical response to invites such as that one. “Well, perhaps, I’ve been going about things all wrong. Perhaps I’ve realized there isn’t a problem with taking some time to have fun with the team. You guys have been right, after all. I’m a little too stuck-up and boring, so it’s time I changed that.”

“You…? Am I getting fucking pranked?”

“No, Hiro, you’re not!” Rennigan snapped with a shake of head. “I mean it, I—”

“Hell, you're my goddamn roommate. We might not always get along, but…I don’t wanna lose you, too.”

Another echo of Hiro’s voice flashed through Rennigan’s mind, and just like before, the wind mage’s mouth never opened, confirming that he was truly hearing things that weren’t there. That fact should have concerned him, but for whatever reason, Rennigan found it easy to accept that this would be happening and to simply ignore it. He wasn’t going to let anything ruin this market outing with his team despite not really knowing why it was so painfully important to him. Deep inside his heart, it felt like if he allowed this trip to happen without him, then he would forever regret it—as if it were the only chance he’d ever get to do something like this with Faye, Hiro, and Jessi. He wouldn’t miss it for the world, and as he stared into Hiro’s eyes while his friend waited for him to finish what he was saying yet again, Rennigan felt his confidence increase and decided there was no reason to refrain from honestly speaking his mind.

“Look,” Rennigan said after another deep breath. “I’ve come to the decision that I don’t want to be an asshole anymore. I’ve always been on the outs, and that’s something that can be blamed on nobody but me, so if I’m the one causing it, then I have to be the one to mend it. If you’ll have me, I want to be a better person…as well as a better friend.”

Hirokol continued to eye him for a few more seconds, understandably still searching for the deceit weaved into Rennigan’s words, but eventually and perhaps due to the many years they’d known each other, his features softened. “Okay then. I’m sorry for doubting you, and if that's what you want, then I’ll be open to it. Can’t speak for Faye and Jessi, but I’d be more than happy to get along with you.”

The man extended his hand, and as Rennigan gazed at it, an image went through his mind of Hirokol looking to him for guidance and orders in the heat of a battle that he couldn’t recall happening. It reminded him that this man had always had faith in him, regardless of Rennigan’s shitty personality. There was an innate trust they had built—a trust he never fully appreciated when he should have.

Gripping Hiro’s hand tightly, Rennigan’s grin returned as he said, “You’re a good person, Hiro, and you’re a damn talented mage. I’m happy you were my roommate. I wouldn’t trade your friendship for anything.”

“Well damn,” Hiro replied with a chuckle. “If you’re gonna be this sappy, then be prepared for Jessi and Caeli to bully the shit outta you. That being said…” He then gave his own warm smile. “You say you wouldn’t trade me for anything, but I know that’s bullshit. If it was me or Rana’s apprenticeship, I know you would—”

“I wouldn’t. Not ever.”

Hiro’s eyes went wide, almost certainly seeing without doubt that Rennigan was not lying. “W-well…? Well you should! I’m not worth more than becoming a Master of Ijiria, you fucking idiot! Get your damn priorities straight! Geez…”

Trust me, Hiro, I have gotten my priorities straight…

Releasing Rennigan’s hand, Hiro got to his feet and stretched, muttering, “Anyway, we’re gonna be late as all hell so let’s move! Come on!”

Doing as Hiro suggested, Rennigan collected a change of clothes and then departed the dorm room so he could head over to the showers and clean up before their trip. To anybody who passed him and knew who he was, he must have looked really bizarre, for there was a bit of a skip in his step as he moved.

He was happy beyond belief.

In fact, he couldn’t remember a moment in his entire life when he was as happy as he was right that second. It felt like he was on top of the world—like he could do anything he wanted without the fear of consequence. He was excited for the day to come, so when he reached the showers, he washed himself off as fast as he could before dressing in loose clothing that would be comfortable for a day at the market. Lastly, he combed his silver hair and eyed his reflection in the mirror to ensure he was presentable before giving a soft nod of approval to himself and departing the bathrooms so he could hurry back to Hiro. However, the second he stepped foot outside, he was stopped in his tracks by a sharp and accusatory voice.

“Whatcha up to, Glaus?”

He came to a stop, his head snapping to his right where a young woman his age was leaning up against the wall, her arms folded over her chest as her pink eyes practically bored into his skull. Her bright hair matched those eyes and was tied back in two ponytails that gave her the appearance of a preteen inhabiting an adult’s body, and where he would have once stopped and faced her with an equally challenging glare as the one she was now directing at him, instead, he felt nothing but an even stronger joy than he had felt seconds ago. It was an intense relief, giving him the impression he hadn't seen her in a long time despite knowing as a fact they had met just yesterday after exams.

Rennigan beamed down at her, much to her clear confusion. “I was just heading back to the dorm. What are you up to, cause I don't think people are going to appreciate you loitering outside of the men’s bathrooms.”

Jessi Yuahl snorted, kicking herself off the wall as she turned her body to fully face him, her hands going to her hips in her typically over-the-top attitude. “I’ll loiter where I like, thank you very much. Now anyway, I happened to have just been at your dorm, and Hiro told me all about how you’ve decided to stop being a prick. Now, I know you don’t have any sort of conscience in that ugly head of yours, so I thought I’d come slap some sense into you! Nobody lies to my brother but me, so whatever you’re up to needs to be brought to a swift end if you don’t want my foot up your ass!”

“W-well, I certainly don’t want that,” he admitted with a nervous chuckle. “But come on, Jessi, cut me some slack. I just—”

“The fuck did you just call me?! Since when were we on a first-name basis, Glaus?! Look, just cause Hiro’s too polite to tell you to shut the fuck up doesn’t me I’m gonna sit here and be disrespected like that!”

“Oh, er, right…sorry…”

Yeah, I don’t know why I did that… Hiro’s one thing, but I know Jessi’s never liked me much. Hell, I think she’s got better reason than the other three given all the horrible things I’ve said to both her face and behind her back. If I want to start being an actual friend for her, then I suppose I need to do something important first.

“W-woah, what are you doing?!” she exclaimed, watching as Rennigan bent his back in a bow.

“I’m sorry, Yuahl.”

“Huh?!”

“I’m sorry,” he repeated, with more intensity this time. “I’ve said a lot of terrible things in the time we’ve known each other, and as much as I’m disgusted to admit as much, I meant them at the time. But now, I’ve come to realize that I was being terribly unfair to you. You are not a bad mage. You are not unworthy of being at this Academy. You didn’t lose at orientation to some random mages, you lost to the group that became the royal team. To attribute that to your quality as a mage was a terrible thing for me to do. Instead, I should have told you how impressive it was you lasted as long as you did, especially when we found out just how damn powerful Caeli is. You gave one of the best mages of our year a damn good run for his money, and you deserve credit for that. I can’t take back what I’ve said, but with all my heart, I am sorry for ever saying it. I don’t want to be your team leader as it was foolish of me to try. I am your equal…and that's how it should be.”

Surprisingly, the ever chatty Jessi never once interrupted him as he rambled off the things he desperately wanted to say to her. Even when he finished, the corridor was left in dead silence, and since he was still bowing, he had no idea what the fire mage looked like—what expression she made in response to the most vulnerable he had ever allowed himself to be with her.

“Stop bowing,” she grumbled, her voice still somewhat sharp, but nowhere near as much as before.

Rennigan nodded, rising back to his normal height, only for his eyes to go wide when he found tears in her eyes and her lip quivering as if she were fighting back sobs. “Er, Yuahl, I’m sorry! Did I say something wrong?”

“You…really meant that?” Jessi stuttered, her voice shaking a bit.

“Every word. And I wish I could have said it sooner.”

“But…I don’t get it… I thought…” She sniffled and turned away, staring instead at the carpet. “I thought you hated me.”

The emotion in her words caused a stab of pain in his chest, for they forced him to bear witness to the results of his thoughtless actions. “Yes, I can see how it felt like that. I allowed my own frustration at our loss to get in the way of self-reflection. I pushed the blame onto you because I didn’t want to accept that it could have possibly been my fault we lost, but it was as much on me as anybody. I could not beat Nigreos Noctis. You might have been able to though. I forced you to fight somebody you were not an ideal opponent for, then blamed you when you couldn’t meet such ridiculous expectations. I have never hated you…not even a little. It was me I hated…my own failures I was embarrassed by. You…are my teammate. I love you as much as I love the others. So from the bottom of my cold heart, I am deeply sorry, Yuahl…”

“Yeah, well…you should be,” she huffed, but her voice now completely lacked the ferocity with which she arrived. “I expect you to earn my forgiveness, but…well, this is a good start, I guess. Whatever, I’ll keep an open mind… Why not? Can’t hurt, right?”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Rennigan laughed softly. “I would hope not. Thank you, Yuah—”

“Jessi’s fine, shut up,” she interrupted with a wave. “We’ve got a market to hurry off to, so let’s get going! And… Well…” Jessi suddenly hesitated, her cheeks turning red as if embarrassed by whatever she was thinking about saying. “If you’re truly sorry, I want a hug!”

“A hug? From me?” he stammered.

“Yes. It’s how Hiro and I start wrapping up disagreements, so I’m thinking I’ll hold you to the same standards!”

A sense of relief came over him, for this was a good indication that Jessi was more open to forgiveness than he had expected her to be. Closing the small gap between them, Rennigan wrapped his arms around her and gave the young woman a brief hug, surprised by the tenderness of her own touch, as if she really did want this. When they parted, she spun on her heel without a word and began to stride off towards the dorm, Rennigan hurrying to keep up with her strangely fast pace. When they returned, they found an impatient Hiro watching them irritably, but just as he was clearly about to question what took so long, he saw Jessi’s beaming smile and seemed to think better of it.

Together, the three of them headed for the lift, and according to Jessi, the final member of their team would be waiting at the Academy gates. The ride down to the first floor and across campus was more fun than any other interaction they had shared, for Jessi, Hiro, and Rennigan bantered with one another and talked excitedly about their plans for summer—plans that the two Krato natives seemed thankfully open to including Rennigan in. He was excited for the days to come—for the life he had never even realized he wanted. He didn’t need to be the Master of Water to be happy, nor did he need to best Nigreos Noctis, who certainly didn’t care about their “rivalry” as much as Rennigan had.

All he needed was his team by his side.

And then they arrived at the gates, sending yet another surge of pure and utter euphoria through him as he gazed ahead at the sight of Fayela Rio waiting for them, her brown hair tied back in its usual lazy ponytail and her eyes watching them expectantly. However, when she noticed the three of them having fun, Rennigan could see her brow furrow, so the second they arrived, she swiftly got to interrogating them.

“You three are in a weirdly good mood given that last time I saw Jessi, she was heading over to rip you two a new one.” Faye cocked an eyebrow. “What happened? Since when are you three best buds?”

Jessi grinned slyly, telling Rennigan he was about to be in for a rabid teasing. “Well, ever since Rennigan here bent his back in the bow I deserve and gave a heartfelt apology for being the biggest dickwad this side of the Empire! And since I’m such a merciful person, I decided I’d give him a chance. It’s not everyday this chucklefuck shows some humility, after all.”

Faye snorted, turning an expectant look on Rennigan as she awaited his fierce retort—one that never came. “And? Rennigan? Are you just gonna let her slander you like that?”

“W-well, it’s not slander,” he murmured. “In fact, it’s true, and long overdue at that.”

“S-seriously?” Like Hiro, she was quickly on her guard for fear of being pranked, so she turned towards the wind mage for his own confirmation, but Hiro just gave an apathetic shrug.

“I wasn’t there, so I don’t know what the two of them said, but ask yourself this, Faye. Is it more likely Rennigan apologized to Jessi, or is it more likely they’re teaming up to prank us, cause I think that’s a harder question to answer than it should be. That being said, he told me he was sorry this morning as well, so I guess he’s on an apology tour.”

Faye’s features softened then before she made eye contact with the rather embarrassed Rennigan. “That so, huh? And what’s caused you to do this?”

“You cannot have Rennigan! I don’t know what happened to his head, but he’s clearly talking nonsense! You’re a murderer and I refuse to let somebody like you go back to Ijiria alive! If you’re Kosah-Rei then I’ll happily drag your body back to Princess Ilirianna and display you like a trophy!”

It was Faye’s voice that went through his mind as he stared back at her, and though the meaning of her words wouldn’t quite allow themselves to process in his mind, the intensity behind them caused his heart to swell.

“I’m not sure,” he answered. “I guess I just felt like it. I’m tired…of being alone…”

The rock mage smiled then, as if she were proud of him. “Okay then. Shall we head off?”

“I’d like to…”

With that, Rennigan, Faye, Jessi, and Hiro took off in the direction of the Erikan Market for what was sure to be a wonderful day. Yet, wonderful was an understatement, for if that morning was the happiest Rennigan Glaus had ever been, then the afternoon that followed it swiftly usurped the title. His team welcomed him more than he had ever expected them to, and for the first time, there was no awkwardness between them. They got along like true friends as they explored the various shops and restaurants the Market had to offer. Rennigan saw places he had never even been despite having lived in Erika his entire life, such as a diner that served foods from the far west of Dunnovia or a trinket shop with little rings that glowed in response to certain moods. The potion shop was filled with elixirs he’d never heard of, and a stop at the blacksmith left Jessi eyeing a cool, bedazzled dagger despite her having no idea how to properly wield one. Hiro dragged them to his favorite bakery while Faye insisted they try a few of the games the Market displayed, such as the test that measured one’s strength and gave prizes to those who could best certain records. Faye accused it of being rigged given she couldn’t even get the lowest one, and they spent the next hour debating whether carnival games were, in fact, rigged or not.

Rennigan was not a person who laughed, so he would have confidently bet his life that this day held more than ninety percent of his lifetime’s laughter. He loved it, he loved them, and he never wanted it to end. If the heaven depicted in old religious texts was real, then he imagined this was what his would look like. However, he did have one last task for himself that he kept an eye open for as the day went on and that was to snag a chance to speak with Faye one-on-one the way he had with Hiro and Jessi. His plan was to pull her aside after the trip ended should he need to, but luckily, after they finished dinner at an upscale restaurant Album once recommended called Morwhat’s Den and were back out on the streets, Hiro and Jessi excused themselves to run back to the blacksmith since the fire mage decided she did want that dagger. Rennigan and Faye agreed to meet up in twenty minutes before they began walking down a street that was shockingly, and conveniently, empty for the Market at that hour.

“So, Faye…” Rennigan began, only for her to quickly cut him off.

“If you’re about to give me the whole apology thing, then you don’t have to. I commend you being able to own up to your mistakes with the other two, but I’m a different story. I’m already more than willing to be your friend. I always have been. Why do you think I try to invite you to things like this despite knowing you’ll decline?”

Rennigan frowned, glancing up at her with surprise. “B-but, maybe that’s true, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’ve never exactly been nice to you.”

“No, you haven’t,” she conceded. “But I decided a long time ago that I wanted your friendship—that there was more to you than the hardass you made yourself out to be. Your cockiness was a facade—one that perhaps tricked even yourself.” Faye shrugged casually. “So I just figured I’d wait until that facade finally shattered and then I’d be there when you needed me to be. If that time is now, then I’m ready to go. Let’s be friends, Rennigan Glaus.”

He was far from expecting such a reaction from her, and since he’d been rehearsing yet another apology for her all day, he wasn’t quite sure what to say now that she’d deviated from his expected script.

“But…why? How could you have possibly come to such a stupid conclusion? And why should you even care?” He shook his head. “Even if it was a facade, that didn’t make my words any less awful. I treated you guys like garbage while strutting about like I thought myself the greatest mage to ever grace the Academy.”

Faye smirked mischievously, as if there was a secret she was hiding. “Well, I’m not particularly allowed to divulge that information, but let’s just say that Abigail’s a great judge of one’s character.”

“You’ve said that before, and I still don’t quite understand what the hell it means,” he retorted, to which she just continued to laugh.

“If you ever get the chance, ask Abi. She may be more willing to tell the version of you that I’ve seen today. I’m happy, Rennigan.” Faye stopped walking, turning her head to gaze up at the orange sky of near-twilight up above. “I’m happy you’re finally seeing things the way we do. I just wish it could have come at a better time. I wish…it weren’t too late…”

“Rennigan! In your own words, we are not friends, right?! What reason do you have to remain behind for me?! Get to the port and go! You’re never going to become the Master of Water if you’re dead!”

He exhaled sharply, Faye’s words in the present sparking a sudden memory from the past, and all of a sudden, the fog that had been hanging over him all day began to dissipate.

“T-too late?” he uttered. “No, it can’t possibly be…”

“Go, you son of a bitch! What the hell are you doing?! Run! Rennigan, run! You have to go!”

Tears began to form in his eyes as reality returned to him, and the simple fact that he was starting to be conscious of this being nothing but a dream told him that it was almost over. The effects of the elixir were wearing off as Rennigan Glaus began to return to the real world.

“Faye…” he whimpered. “Please don’t leave me….”

“RUN, RENNIGAN! GET OUT OF HERE!”

Faye wrapped her arms around him, pulling him tightly against her as she hugged him. Her fingers began to run through his silver hair in a futile attempt to give him comfort. But it was now too late. This was not Fayela Rio, rather it was an ideal construct created by his subconscious with the help of that potion. Hiro and Jessi had never forgiven him for anything because he had never apologized. Perhaps Faye’s words held some validity, but they were also merely spoken because it was what he wanted to hear. Nobody would ever know what the real Fayela Rio would have said should Rennigan have yanked his head out of his ass and apologized to her the way he should have.

“I’m so sorry, Faye,” he sobbed. “I should have been better to all of you. I was so obsessed with the future that I didn’t appreciate the present, and now I’ve got nothing left. My present is miserable and my future doesn’t exist. I wish you guys were still alive. I wish we could have graduated together and become mages together.”

“I know…” Faye soothed. “I wish for it as well, but it’s just too late. But please, Rennigan, don’t say you have no future. I didn’t want you to die in that pocket realm, and I don’t want you to die now. Kill Quill Tyrus, if that’s what you want to do, but don’t you dare let it be at the expense of your own life.”

“But—!”

She released him so that she could gaze right into his eyes. “Live, Rennigan. At all costs, make sure you get home safely. Otherwise, we died for nothing. Otherwise, the Battle of Stellareid will have truly been a complete and utter defeat. So kill Tyrus then go on to live a long happy life. Get a job, get married and have kids if that’s what you want, and enjoy the world until death reunites us naturally. Okay? We’re not going anywhere, so we’ll wait for you as long as we have to. Can you promise me that?”

He managed a weak nod, noticing now that the entire world behind them had faded into black, leaving nothing left but him and Faye. Then, as even she began to disappear, Rennigan could not allow himself time to think and simply responded with what she wanted him to say.

“I’ll live. For you. You have my word.”

Relief spread over her face just before it vanished for good. “Thank you, Rennigan. Goodbye.”

“Bye, Faye.”

That was the end of his heavenly dream, followed soon by the return of his senses and the weight of where he was in the real world—the dawn of the Battle of Ankalla. Guilt, terror, anxiety, and stress all began pounding into him, and now he wasn’t even sure whether he could sacrifice himself to kill Quill. It wasn’t like he made a promise to the real Faye, but the elixir reminded him of the simple fact that she had screamed for him to live. With her final breaths, she told him to keep going.

So is that it then? Do I have to stay in this godforsaken world for the rest of my natural life?

Rennigan frowned, realizing that he was fully conscious in his tent, but there was something wrong. Tender fingers were running through his hair, playing with it like a mother would to her child. It was a sensation so terribly comforting that it broke the final barrier before he started to sob. As he then realized his head was laying in somebody's lap, he found himself utterly confused at who would ever do such a thing for him, and when he forced his eyes open, that confusion only tripled at the sight of Nyx Rana’s face smiling down at him.

“Good morning,” she greeted warmly.

“M-Master Rana…?” Rennigan furrowed his brow. “I don’t understand… What are you doing? Why…?”

Nyx shrugged casually. “You were crying in your sleep, and since I was already awake, I thought I’d help you out a little. Is it uncomfortable? I can stop…”

“N-no… Quite the opposite, actually, but is it okay for you to do this? You’re a Master of Ijiria and I’m—”

“Yes, I’m a Master of Ijiria,” she interrupted. “Therefore, it is up to me what is appropriate and what isn’t. You needed soothing, so shouldn’t I give it? You’ve been through a lot, Rennigan Glaus, and I’m sorry that you’ve put yourself through even more. That being said…” Nyx paused, sparing a glance at something he could not see before turning a stern but gentle gaze back at him. “The Elixir of Sweet Dreams can become addictive very quickly. One night is okay, I suppose, but please do not drink it ever again, lest you sever yourself from reality. It also amplifies whatever depression you’re experiencing once its effects wear off. It’s terribly unhealthy for one’s mental health.”

Ah, right, shit… It says on the bottle what it is…

“Noted… I won’t touch it again… It’s just…this one was…a solstice gift from Faye…” He laughed weakly. “I figured this would be a good time to use it…if only to make sure I’m awake enough for the battle.”

“Faye, huh? Very well, that’s okay then…” Nyx placed her small fingers against Rennigan’s forehead. “Was it a nice dream then? I imagine you saw your team?”

“I did… But it was bittersweet…” He wasn’t really sure why he was so easily disclosing this to Nyx. Perhaps he was just not awake enough to think critically or maybe he just didn’t care, but nevertheless, his mouth moved and spoke the truth. “I got to apologize for all the things I said to them, and it felt good to say it, but… It wasn’t them… The forgiveness I felt in that dream was just an ideal fabrication… There was no truth to it. It’s merely what I wish could have happened. I doubt they’d have been so easy on me…”

Nyx tilted her head to the side and regarded him with interest. “You think so? You don’t think they’d have forgiven you if you’d apologized?”

“No… Why would they?”

“Why would they not?” she countered.

“Because I was a complete and utter ass… Because I treated them like scum, lesser than me, and never once gave them the credit they deserved. I bullied them, belittled them, and never showed any remorse for it while they were still alive. I was irredeemable… Still am…”

Nyx slowly shook her head. “That’s not true. That’s not true at all. Did they not die for you? Did they not fight and give their lives for the person they knew back then?”

“But they…didn’t have a choice…” he uttered. “We were stuck in that hall… Jessi never knew what happened, and I’m sure Hiro and Faye were more driven by a desire to avenge her than they were to protect me…”

“Well, I wasn’t there, so I can’t say for sure…but…” Nyx’s smile returned. “You knew them better than most. You fought alongside them for a long time, and that creates a certain…innate understanding of a person’s character and habits. So it’s my belief that whatever they said in that dream of yours may be more credible than you think… The Elixir works with your subconscious, so it replicates them based on your subconscious understanding of them… If you understood them well enough, then I think the people you met in that dream are quite accurate… Therefore…” Nyx laughed then as she used her thumb to wipe away the tears rolling down his wide eyes. “It’s pretty safe to say you would have been forgiven.”

The wisdom of a Master was hard for even his self-loathing to push back against, and as Nyx gazed happily at him, he decided it would do him little good to keep arguing. Maybe she was right and the interactions he had with them would have looked similar in the real world, or maybe she was just making things up to comfort him in a moment of such vulnerable weakness.

Regardless, Rennigan Glaus forced himself to smile back at her and do his best to accept her theory.

“I suppose so… Thank you, Master Rana…”