Lightning Is the Only Way

"I… helped my father?" Gravis asked unbelievingly.

Who was his father? His father was the most powerful being in all the worlds, except for Heaven. He had been a constant monolith, unchangeable, and unstoppable by everything. Gravis' power was so far away from him that helping him seemed like a distant dream. It hadn't even been a possibility in his mind.

Yet, everything that his mother had said made sense. Gravis was an adult, and he could understand these emotions in more clarity. Many younger people might feel betrayed by the fact that their father hadn't loved them or their siblings in the beginning. Yet, wasn't his father also a victim of circumstance?

Not everything in the world went smoothly, and often enough, there were bitter truths. Gravis had gone through enough pain to realize this. Having a perfect family was basically impossible. Everyone had their issues. Overcoming these issues was what made a family as perfect as possible.

"Yes, you helped your father," his mother said, pulling him into a hug again, "and I'm really proud of you."

Gravis was still a bit stunned, but he returned his mother's embrace. This time, it felt even better than before. Hearing her talk about his father's past and Gravis' possible future allowed him to let go of some of his previous inhibitions.

Yet, by letting go of his emotional control, he involuntarily felt a lump inside his throat again. He started thinking back about what had happened in the lower world.

He remembered the pain he had been in when he was forced to deny every relationship with the people he met in the Outer-Continent. He remembered the loneliness and emptiness he had felt when he had tempered his skin for the first time.

He remembered Gorn's death. He remembered how he had been forced to kill the disciples of the Lightning Guild, which he felt indebted to, if he didn't want to die. He remembered the time when he had felt isolated from everything and everyone while staying inside the Heaven Sect.

He remembered the death of Wendy and how he had chosen power above emotions. He remembered being forced to abandon Skye for her own good. He remembered Saron, Wendy's father, and how he had died after helping Gravis.

He remembered his parting with Aion. He remembered Byron's betrayal after Gravis believed that he finally had a group he could belong to. He remembered the death of Skye's parent. He remembered how he had involuntarily caused the death of thousands of beasts and cultivators by giving the Lightning Sect Destruction Lightning.

Lasar. He remembered how Heaven had constantly suppressed him. He remembered how Claude

He remembered the uncertain futures of his companions. He remembered Skye's departure to a different

until now, there had been a lot of pain and worry. Many of his close ones had died while

for his dead

guilt for the

worried

remained silent, but his insides were shaking. He gulped a couple of times out of nervousness. He always believed that everything was natural and that

true? Did he really feel

was not an emotionless machine. He felt sad when he lost someone dear to him. He grew angry when someone threatened the people close to

that was only true when it was necessary. When emotions became a hindrance, shutting them

by always swallowing the pain, he was transforming his

Humans didn't want to feel pain, and most humans felt that emotional pain

emotions were a sign of weakness for many, but wasn't that because they were afraid of confronting their own feelings? Being strong when it was necessary was strength, but it was also strength to confront one's own inner

the surface, it appeared clean, but deep beneath, there was still dirt. At some point, it would become just too

watch, like your father, but he has shown me everything. I know how difficult it is to lose someone close

"I could feel your

for some

his mother said. "Let me help you with your pain. No one is watching, and there is no one that you need to be strong for. Even with the pain, your will is powerful enough to continue. You know that this pain won't stop you in your path. You know that you

when you release it," his mother said warmly, "you also know how to be warm when