Lightning Is the Only Way

Two days passed until Stella appeared in front of Gravis.

Gravis sat on the ground, just thinking about several things when he saw Stella appear in front of him.

Stella came alone, without Liam.

The two of them looked at each other for several seconds in silence, both of them having complex expressions on their faces.

Their entire dynamic had changed. There was now something horrible between them that couldn't be ignored.

"Liam doesn't want to see you right now," Stella said.

"Understandable," Gravis said.

More seconds of silence.

"How do you feel?" Gravis asked quietly.

"Hurt, betrayed," Stella said.

Gravis felt a sting in his being after hearing these words.

"It was the worst day of my life, and I still don't know what I should feel right now," Stella said, keeping several meters of distance between the two of them.

"I've had several days to think about your actions, and I realize why you did them," Stella said with a sigh. "I understand freedom now, and I know that I wouldn't have understood it otherwise."

"But I still feel immense pain whenever I think about that day," Stella said with a shaky voice. "You have hurt me deeply, Gravis, and no matter what reason you had, the pain won't disappear."

"I can understand your reason, and a part of me is also thankful for that, but I can't ignore the pain," Stella said quietly.

Gravis sighed. "I know. Something like this isn't easy to resolve. There is no right choice," he said. "So, what are your plans?"

"That depends," Stella said as she sighed. Then, she looked at Gravis. "How far would you have gone?"

Gravis closed his eyes. He didn't want to look at her while saying these words.

"I would have gone further, but I would have stopped before penetration," he said.

Stella's body shook as she heard the word "penetration". It sounded so sterile, but the word shook her being.

"If you had still been unable to comprehend freedom before it, you obviously would never learn freedom," Gravis said. "The Law of Freedom isn't easy to learn, and it would have been impossible for me to create a better circumstance. This was the full extent of what I can do to help you understand freedom."

"If you hadn't comprehended freedom, I would have left. Obviously, I would have summoned Liam too."

"However, my shame would have been far too great, and I would have left. I would be unable to look into your eyes after what I have done. Our contact would have stopped."

his eyes and saw Stella looking to the side with discomfort. Hearing Gravis speak these words in such a neutral and dissociated tone reminded her

Stella sighed.

talking to you is that I have felt your pain. My Law of Empathy allows me to feel

you genuinely didn't want

Does it matter if you

again as

done all of these things to help me, but the pain is just

a kind man. After all, we have talked for

eyes with apprehension. "Whenever I look at you, I can

fought, and I saw your burning and emotionless skull

your personality, and I know you, but I can't see the real

I only see a

like this was horrible,

Joyce's father had been willing to draw Joyce's hatred towards him as long as it meant that she didn't commit the error of recultivating. He had also known that she might never forgive him, but he had been willing to do it, even if it meant

between that situation and Gravis'

this was hard to resolve since there was

Stella wanted justified retribution for her pain, but on the other hand, Stella knew why Gravis had done these things, and she also knew that Gravis had also

was no

Stella decided to cut

had basically sacrificed their relationship and went through emotional pain

decided to

simply not possible. As long as Gravis appeared like a monster to her whenever she looked at him, she would never

Every choice was horrible.

came with

seconds of

make a decision

Right now, everything is still fresh in our minds, and

what we are feeling. I

an evaluating expression. "I think I will be comprehending Laws for around

"After that, I will go to the Core

nodded. "Sounds good. I think that's the best course

Gravis' expression changed into a pained one as he remembered something. After some

to

bit surprised. "Why

is a reason why I haven't come closer to you back then," Gravis said slowly. "Obviously, we are attracted to each other, and I'm

have felt happy, but right now,

was not there

how it gets resolved, different things might happen," Gravis explained as

a bit confused. What

be resolved. In the end, I might either stay the same, die, or change

you got to know. If I make the wrong choice, I will no longer be

why I haven't taken the next step,"