A Blade Resheathed (The Three-Edged Sword Epilogue)

[Soul Reaver]

Soul Reaver sits, watching and listening as Vee, Jharm and Dervagon speak.

Though his attention remains on them, his gaze goes briefly to he others.  Gulgrim shrinks back to normal - or at least, normal for him - size as the near-tangible power generated by the fight starts to dissipate.  He was glad the Ork knew the fight was over, and wasn't about to try and seek to continue it somehow.

Kitharsis meanwhile seemed happy to leave the worrying to others.  Cushioned on a bed of shifting sand, he looked content as a cat near a warm hearth.

Phaerys was similarly unfazed, but unlike Kitharsis, the being remained alert and at attention, despite the damage he had incurred.  Perhaps weariness was not something his kind were personally familiar with - or perhaps they expressed it differently.

All the while, Soul Reaver continues to listen.  His face remains impassive, despite the feeling of intense sinking emptiness at the thought of all the lives and peoples lost to the senseless war between the two 'gods' of light and dark.  Perhaps if he had been there on Vee's world, things could have gone differently?  But then... who knows what other place and time had called to him instead?  What other ruin would have had to be traded?  There was always a cost.  Always.

Then Jharm addresses the companions directly, and Soul Reaver's impassive face registers a hint of sorrow.  Perhaps he should have been surprised... but somehow, he had known this would be coming.

Reaching up to Blooddrinker's hilt, he pulls himself to his feet.  It was strange, how words could make one feel so heavy.

Soul Reaver leaves the sword behind him for now as he walks up to Jharm.

"Jharm." he begins, then stops, before starting anew.

"My friend.  We have fought side-by-side for all that is good and honourable.  Untold billions owe you their lives, their dreams.  Your stalwart dedication and faith have been a beacon in the darkest of times.  But if that light is now needed here..."

Soul Reaver pauses again.

"You must be where your duty calls you.  Perhaps when you and your people find your path, we will meet once more."

Soul Reaver extends his hand to the longtime friend that, like so many others, he would now have to leave behind.

[Shadow Chorus]

Gulgrim's shoulders roll, popping and cracking from the strain of containing his power as he returns to his typical size.

Extending the Copper rod from his Cybork Arm, Gulgrim establishes communication with his forces across the battlefield and confirms their return to the fleet before looking to the others.

"So. Where'z da next fight? Dis wun was alright, but a little disappointin' fer 'ow big da foe wuz. Least me ladz got ta stretch dere legs, so 'least wasn't a total waste."

The warboss chuckles jovially, his previous malaise at the regular denial of combat seemingly forgotten in the aftermath of an at least acceptable scrap.

"If ye'z needz a ride, I'z sure me Krooza has da space fer all of ye dat needs it."

[Kitharsis]

Kitharsis stands as the cushion of sand melts away beneath him.  The arrival of Jharm and Dervagon prompt the end of his brief reprieve.  He adjusts the sword at his hip, and shifts the heavy belt carrying the rest of his gear as he walks toward the others.

As Vee explains her origins, Kitharsis can't help but find parallels between what happened on his own home world.  It is what the Companions stand against, as much as they can.  But they cannot be everywhere.  This story and similar like it play out on a cosmic scale.

But, they do what they can, where they can.  Thankfully they were able to stop the years of conflict here.

Jharm explains his need to stay behind, and Kitharsis nods knowingly.

"You're needed here, Jharm.  Be the light for your own people now."

Kitharsis extends his hand in farewell.

"Until next we meet, be well."

[Veldanya Venalla]

The Seraphim places the head of his hammer down on the ground, freeing his right hand before reaching out and taking Soul Reavers extended one and giving a firm handshake.

"I would not worry much Soul Reaver.  Should the need arise once things are...settled here, feel free to reach out to me if needed and at least I can provide what help I am able."

He then turns towards Kitharsis and nods at those words before taking the offered hand in a tight handshake as well.

"Thank you Kitharsis, the same to you."