Lightning Is the Only Way

"There is no one that elicits these kinds of feelings from me," Mortis answered. "I see so many different Cultivators, but they all look the same to me. They are either strangers, friends, enemies, or whatever. There is no difference."

"So, do humans need some kind of connection with a stranger for love to exist in the future?" Azure asked. She was genuinely curious about all of this.

Mortis' brows furrowed. "No, not really."

"Then why does that have to exist for you to try?" Azure asked.

For the first time, Mortis didn't answer immediately.

Why didn't he just get to know more people?

Was it really necessary that his spark had to exist for a relationship to blossom?

Obviously not.

There were plenty of mortals and Cultivators that got together with people after just being friends for years on end.

There had been no romantic attraction between them in the beginning, but they had eventually ended together.

For some reason, a kind of pressure appeared in Mortis' insides.

'Is it because of my past?' he thought. 'I've felt how Gravis have felt for so long. I've felt these intense bursts of warmth and love inside myself so many times.'

Mortis looked into the distance. 'Is it because I fear disappointment? Do I fear that my eventual love won't be as vibrant as the love Gravis feels for Stella?'

A moment of silence passed.

'And then, this entire thing with Joyce happened, which confirmed my fear. I was attracted to Joyce, but I never felt anything remotely as intense as what Gravis felt for Stella back then.'

'And then, Joyce died, and I felt like my ability to love died with her.'

Mortis glanced over at Azure, who only looked into the distance with a thoughtful expression.

'I think I fear disappointment,' Mortis thought. 'It might be possible that I'm afraid of losing my hope. I can dream about how great love is and how it makes me feel, but I'm afraid that my imagination is off.'

Another moment of silence.

'If even love turns out to be a disappointment, what else is there left but greyness in my life?'

'If love doesn't live up to my expectations, what reason do I even have left to live?'

"Azure, why do you cultivate?" Mortis asked.

Azure was surprised by the question. How did Mortis even come up with that question?

"Why do I cultivate?" Azure asked.

Mortis nodded.

Azure remained silent.

"I don't know," she said after several seconds. "Honestly, I haven't really thought about it. Living just feels natural to me, and it's like something I just have to do."

"Is there something in your life that you don't want to lose, no matter what?" Mortis asked.

Azure remained silent for a bit longer as her expression became uncomfortable.

"Not really," Azure answered with an unsure voice.

fighting? Why do you keep comprehending Laws? Why do you go through the fear and pain of tempering yourself?" Mortis

fun. We all do it out of necessity since we want to

that we don't want to lose. We don't want to feel the pain of a loved one dying. We want to spend more time with our loved ones. We want to see

at Azure. "From what you've said, you sound like you don't have anything you want to live for.

Azure remained silent.

silent for several

Mortis

some things he was curious about, but he

were normal to Mortis. He was thinking these thoughts every

never even asked

to question yourself regarding this topic," Mortis added. "You obviously have something to live for. Otherwise, you wouldn't

were right," Azure said, her expression showing an internal struggle.

You're not a human, and you don't need to have the feelings we humans have. For you, power might have a vastly stronger appeal than for us. Becoming more powerful might

reasons for living by comparing them to humans. You're not a human, and you already accepted that, right? Why search for something unimportant to you?"

regretted asking his earlier question. Azure seemed to

Azure said as she looked at Mortis with confusion and nervousness. "I know what you're trying to do right now,

Mortis raised an eyebrow.

Azure said. "That's why it was so difficult for me

you

that sucks out all the drive in my

expression became uncomfortable, and he felt guilty beyond

feeling he

"Hey, listen-"

a Star God, and I've gone through worse. You don't need to fix me or anything. I can

Azure skeptically. After all, he

to convince Mortis immediately. Instead, she wanted

felt this feeling before, right?" Azure asked. "I've never had an issue with life, and I felt satisfied with simply becoming more powerful. However, as soon as you brought my attention to the purpose of life, I

like this in the past. I haven't felt anything

we become Star Gods, right?" Azure asked. "So, when we get a Spirit, does it also mean that our

into thought when Azure

Could she be right?

now, Mortis

Azure added

that managed to become Heaven's Magnates?" Azure asked. "You said you know a Heaven's Magnate that's

about it?"

and one main Law always stumped me. I always tried to think of a way to comprehend it, but I never came up

Law of

Mortis' eyes widened.

Right!

go about

Law of Empathy since he knew it, and he was sure that a

be impossible for

had the Black Magnate become a Heaven's Magnate if it's impossible for a beast to feel like

can now feel love

so, but I can't be sure without

looked at

to try?"

Mortis froze.

That…

you be a bit more specific?"

a bit about how it works, and I know that it would hurt you if I couldn't reciprocate. So, we can just try, right?

the back of his

don't know,"

no downside, only upsides. We will come out with more knowledge,

Then, Azure remembered something.

not attractive to you?"