[19:46] Salthiel’s arms spread out as chains bound them and his feet. Around him were only darkness, noticing that he’s not atop the watch tower anymore. There was only silence not until he heard footsteps drawing near. And then, it stopped.

“You refuse to die. Your hunt is over, lone wolf. You have found the legacy of Usiel,” said the voice as he flashed his eyes open, recognizing a white-haired boy. The same boy from a previous vision, who told him it was time to rest. Because the hunt was over. It was the Eye of Wrath who, within his mind, was taking upon the form of a younger Salthiel.

“The Anauels are predators, but you- you are bound in chains?” asked the boy.

“Or, is it because you wish to become like them?” added the boy as he tilted his head.

“No,” calmly responded Salthiel before closing his eyes as the boy disappeared in thin light.

“LOOK AT ME, ANAUEL. YOU ARE BOUND HERE BECAUSE YOU BECAME WEAK. YOU TURNED SOFT,” said a different voice, raven haired, as he felt his neck wrapped around his fingers, lifting him higher. It was the figure he spoke to, asking if peace or chaos would reign in his mind. It was the manifestation of his Wrath.

He gritted and would part his lips to speak, yet he felt handkerchief drop upon the dark ground. A handkerchief with a cloud stitched on it.

“BEGONE,” commanded Salthiel as the manifestation of his wrath vanished, a tear falling off his cheek.

“Jiuweihu. Why have you abandoned me? I’ve fought my best, didn’t I? To serve you and the light?

By the Emperor’s will, by YOUR will, why is it not always enough? Why can’t I protect my friends and family? My people? Why, from time and time again, I fail to comfort them?

Please answer me,” he pleaded amidst the darkness, gritting his teeth, hearing only his voice and the never-ending silence.

“Listen to the cries from all corners of Eternia; of Agartha. Does it not make you weep? Does it not make you want to give them peace and hope that none of us could give? To give shelter and strength to individuals living amidst war and terror? So, please, by your embrace of compassion and healing, please give them comfort.

And to these chains that bind me. To these afflictions that curse me. Give me strength so I can shatter them. So, once more, I can fight and be a light of hope to these people. Give me strength to push their darkness away!

Allow me one last chance to fight,” Salthiel prayed and cried before being engulfed in Jiuweihu’s warming light.

“Go. Shatter those chains, and once more, fight for the light,” he heard a voice, that shook his core not with dread, but resonated within him calm and comfort. The Emperor’s voice rang through his mind as he felt the angel’s blessing ran through his veins.

And thus, he witnessed white wings and an overwhelming flash of light. And appeared around them were the spirits of the dead.

“Salthiel. Pride and wrath may run through our blood. But the legacy of Usiel, my son, is not to hunt, to be predators. No, my son,” said a figure among them, donning white locks and features just like Salthiel.

“The legacy of my father, the blood of Usiel, is for us to overcome that hubris, to overcome our wrath. It is to test our will. And to overcome that hurdle is to become a true Anauel. That is our blood. That is the legacy of Usiel,” said the figure.

“My son. Forgive me for abandoning you. That I was not there for you during your times of distress. That I was not there to give you the love that you deserve. However, know that I’ll always be watching you. So, stay strong and keep on fighting, for the Emperor and Jiuweihu will never abandon you. We will be waiting for you. I love you, Salthiel,” said another figure as her hair seemed to flutter with the wind.

“Father, mother,” said Salthiel as tears fell off his eyes, gritting his teeth.

"Bide your time. Do not be rash. Lie if you must, endure, but seize the opportunity when it comes,” another figure said, presence ever so familiar for the Anauel. It was Moriya himself.

“Qilin Moriya,” he said as his lips parted. Though there were no words that came out, only silence. Not until he spoke again.

“I understand. Lie if I must, endure if I must, but seize that opportunity when it comes,” he repeated, closing his eyes in the process.

“Thank you everyone. Thank you,” and thus, his wounds and afflictions were healed, as he felt newfound power run through his veins.

(Salthiel Anauel)