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.

comprehending Laws? Why do you go

do it out of

our life 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

nothing you care about, what is even the point of surviving?" Mortis asked, looking at Azure. "From what you've said, you sound like you don't

Azure remained silent.

remained silent

Mortis

but he realized that his words might have

to Mortis. He was thinking these thoughts every single

in comparison, Azure had never

you also don't need to question yourself regarding this topic," Mortis added. "You obviously have something to live for. Otherwise, you wouldn't have had the willpower to get through so much

showing an internal struggle. "What do I actually live for? Why do

the feelings we humans have. For you, power might have a vastly stronger appeal than for us. Becoming more powerful might feel way more fulfilling than for

a human, and you already accepted that,

Mortis had regretted asking his earlier question. Azure seemed to genuinely struggle

at Mortis with confusion and nervousness. "I know what you're trying

Mortis raised an eyebrow.

I have never felt before," Azure said.

do you

like a black hole that sucks out all

and he felt

he was very

"Hey, listen-"

not some mortal. I'm a Star God, and I've gone

skeptically. After all, he knew how

convince Mortis immediately. Instead, she wanted to

"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 suddenly felt this feeling I

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

when we become Star Gods, right?" Azure asked. "So, when we get a Spirit,

also fell into thought

Could she be right?

now, Mortis couldn't be

Azure

Magnates?" Azure asked. "You said you

about it?" Mortis

Laws, and one main Law always stumped me. I always tried to think of a way to

Law of

Mortis' eyes widened.

Right!

would a beast even go about comprehending the Law

knew it, and he was sure that a beast couldn't feel the amount of

impossible for

Black Magnate become a Heaven's Magnate if it's

feel

"I think so, but

looked at

try?"

Mortis froze.

That…

"Could you be a bit more specific?" Mortis

all, even if I can't feel it, I know 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? If it works, we can both

the back

know," he

"I see no downside, only upsides. We will come out with more

Then, Azure remembered something.

is it because I'm not attractive to you?" Azure asked, genuinely