She watches them from afar. Unseen in the shadows. Soundless.
Ready to unveil herself, about to take a step forward, she feels a hand on her shoulder. Not a hand like her own - that of a symbol of comfort and reassurance.
No. A hand with a lot more weight, placed to force obedience.
Another kaldorei is behind her. A male. Much taller. Older. Experienced. One who wears rage and stubbornness better than warmth and gratitude.
Lithe and fierce.
A characteristic she once had herself, but has attempted to cast aside over and over. The traits of her kin grow deep.
“No.”.
His voice echoes through her.
“There is a reason for the way, you have chosen to depart.
You said so yourself.”
“I know.”
She avoids his gaze.
Fresh torment reinjures her wounded heart. Overwhelmed with raw grief, penetrating through her.
“But I cannot in good conscience allow them to thi-…”
He interrupts her.
“You can and you have to. Do you want indecisiveness to take control of you once more? You have been at this crossroad before.
There is no room for a hot-headed kaldorei amongst them. They are better off without you. That is what you said. They will soon come to realize that.
Our kin will never fit into that.”
Through repressing tears, silently, she hopes, beckons for them to turn around. Discover her.
“I do not want to turn into but a random image, that just floats in the pool of their memory. What if I one day retu-…“
He grabs her by her shoulders and shakes her. Startlingly she stares at him.
“Enough, Ravensky!”
He bares his teeth. She glowers at him, and holds her breath.
“Life never favored weakness.
New beginnings are often disguises as painful endings.
The care of our nature should be our most pleasing responsibility. Even when we need to make use of the drastic measures, we are about to put in motion.
Do you want to cross the ocean? Then do not just stand and stare at the water.
You show too much promise to turn back now. There are no barriers, other than the ones we have chosen to construct and can choose to remove at any time.
Heed the voice of Elune.”
She takes a moment to steady herself. He hands over her glaive. Reluctantly she accepts it.
“As the Goddess wills.”
She regains control of her voice.
Through glazed eyes, she observes. Ignoring the lasting injuries to her body, mind and spirit.
She lets them go.
Still unseen. Still in the shadows.
Yet a flicker of hope rests within her, unwilling to be put out.