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

and tempers themselves just for fun. We all do it out of necessity since we want to become more

in 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 loved ones. We want to see what tomorrow

point of surviving?" Mortis asked, looking at Azure.

Azure remained silent.

silent for several

time, Mortis

was curious about, but he realized that his words might

were normal to Mortis. He was thinking

comparison, Azure had never even asked

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

her expression showing an internal struggle. "What do I

to become powerful. 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

by comparing them to humans. You're not a human, and you

now, Mortis had regretted asking his earlier question. Azure seemed to

and nervousness. "I know what you're trying to do right

Mortis raised an eyebrow.

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

do you

of emptiness," Azure said. "It's like a black hole that sucks out all

became uncomfortable, and he felt guilty beyond

a feeling he

"Hey, listen-"

interrupted Mortis. "Keep in mind that I'm not some mortal. I'm a Star God, and I've gone through worse. You don't need to fix me or anything. I can deal with this stuff

looked at Azure skeptically. After all, he

to convince Mortis immediately.

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

past. I haven't felt anything even remotely like this, not even a weaker

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

also fell into thought when

Could she be right?

Mortis

Azure

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

it?"

to know all the four main Laws, and one main Law always stumped me. I always tried

Law of

Mortis' eyes widened.

Right!

a beast even go about comprehending the Law of

what it took to comprehend the Law of Empathy since he knew it, and he was sure that a beast couldn't feel the amount of empathy required to comprehend

would be impossible

if it's impossible for a

feel love

think so, but

she looked

to try?"

Mortis froze.

That…

Azure. "Could you be

other," Azure added. "If it doesn't work, we can just stop. After all, even if I can't feel it, I know a bit about how it works, and I

back

don't know," he

hesitating?" Azure asked, genuinely confused. "I see no downside, only upsides. We will come out with more knowledge, no matter how

Then, Azure remembered something.

not attractive to you?" Azure