Curtain Call

The stars twinkled in a different light now since the events that had unfolded on The First. He was back in The Source now, sat on a branch that stretched out above the canopy, providing him with a clear view of the expanse of night sky. A crystal was held firmly in his grasp and an unspoken wish lingered upon the tip of his tongue but he dare not speak it, not yet. 

A nutkin hopped past him on the branch and tore his attention away as he turned his head to follow its path. Is this what I'm meant to do now? Have you cast me as the savior, the one to guide this star and all it's creatures, to watch and protect all it holds dear? Without realizing, he had begun to to speak aloud, his gaze averted back to the heavens and the crystal held ever tighter in his grasp. "You have all but ascended me to my seat proper. You left me, alone, afraid, confused. You damn dramatic fool, you think me fit for this part? You.. you.." He trembled, his words stuttering.

"<<Tch, you believe me to be the dramatic one? I am not the one sitting in a tree throwing a tantrum.>>"

Shey'a froze, his breath held as the voice scolded him.

The branch did not dip nor was a sound made when the figure appeared, for it was nothing but aether without any solid form. But it was familiar; it was comfort, it was home. It shook Shey'a to his very core that now, of all times, he would appear once more.

Hades sat beside him, towering over him still as a shade looking down upon him.

"<<Was I not clear before? Were my final words and parting gift not enough? Perhaps I should have request Hythlodaeus spell it out for you. Though, he always did apply his own twist to things...>>"

Shey'a choked back his tears as Hades went on with his lecture.

"<<YOU, however, were always the one I would choose. You, in your whole, who would guide our Convocation as one. You, who even sundered, would lead nations to their salvation and bring hope to all before you. You, Shey'a, who just like Azem would find the most convoluted and stupid solution to utter destruction for the sake of being able to enjoy your grapes on the morrow.>>" Hades reached out a hand to wipe away tears gathered on Shey'a's cheek. "<<Stop your blubbering now.>>"

"I miss you, so very much. I had hoped that in the end, you would be here with me to see it all through."

The shade shook his head. "<<No, that is not how this works. I have played my part in all this and an actor cannot overstay his welcome. I have passed my torch to the one who can truly lead this star to salvation and that is you, my dearest. Do not think for a moment though that I am not watching, waiting to see how this play ends. Do not disappoint me-- see this through. My duty has ended and it is time for you to finish yours.>>"

Shey'a reached to hold his hand over the shade's and lean into his touch, blinking away what remained of his tears. "Will you wait for me, at duty's end?"

Though Hades had begun to teleport away, his voice drifted through the vanishing aether.

"<<Always, my Shepherd.>>"