>>5151543It doesn’t feel like any time at all until Shu’s cresting over the Spine, and in the space between you learning about her and her family arriving on your doorstep, she’s accomplished more than you ever thought possible. When the moment comes, and you’re sitting across the table from the Defiant herself, the Hunter of Gods…you find, to your great relief, a person sitting opposite you. She has no grand designs for the future of humankind, no blueprint for how the world should work. She’s just a person.
A simple, humble human.
An odd duck, a tired mom. A kind girlfriend, and a dutiful companion. A normal woman who just wants this cycle to end, and for the rest of her life—and the lives of those she loves—to well and truly begin.
The Fleshscape’s warm breeze wafts over the top of the Ikean Fortress as you watch Shu and her family leave for two separate missions, with Shu sitting alongside Francine atop the jagged war machine they call the Metall Geschoss. She’s come so far…and as you feel along the indentation on your left ring finger, you realize she only has a little further to go before you’ll finally regain what the Crucible stole from you.
“Penny for your thoughts?” You ask aloud as Em swings open the hatch a few meters behind you, promptly striding over to watch the Defiants on their way out.
“I like Rath. She’s pretty cool.” Your friend says, shooting you a grin. “But yeah, I see it, now. She’s got her shit together, and I respect anyone that’s smart enough to challenge your sales pitch.”
You grin, then ask; “Do you feel like I’ve backed the right horse?”
“Hey, if the Shu fits.” Em fires back with a shrug, getting a knuckle in the rib for her trouble. “Anyway, Magnus sent word that he wants to talk before he comes over.”
“Regarding the third woman?” You ask, privately.
“Feels weird to call her that considering how well Carn and Esper have fit in, but yeah.” She admits, before speaking the next part aloud. “He’s ready when you are.”
She leaves your side, at that, and you spend another few moments watching Shu’s family until they’re led beyond your sight and into the obsidian treeline.
Just a little longer.
It’s so, so close.
You breathe in, close your eyes, and see it, clear as day.
Blue skies.
His smile.
A future for all.
Come what may, you’ll help her carve a path to a brighter tomorrow.
>>PALOMA INTERMISSION: CONCLUDED 