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.

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

do anything else. No Cultivator goes out and tempers themselves just for fun. We all do it out of necessity since we want to become more powerful. And why

have something 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

Azure. "From what you've said, you

Azure remained silent.

silent

time, Mortis

things he was curious about, but he realized

to Mortis. He was thinking these thoughts

never even asked

to question yourself regarding this topic," Mortis added. "You obviously have something to live for.

expression showing an internal struggle. "What do I actually

humans have. For you, power might have a vastly stronger appeal than for

a human,

earlier question. Azure seemed to genuinely

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

Mortis raised an eyebrow.

have never felt before," Azure said. "That's why it was

you

sucks out all the drive in my being, and it feels like it's consuming

uncomfortable, and he felt guilty

was a feeling he was

"Hey, listen-"

Azure 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

looked at Azure skeptically. After all,

noticed Mortis' expression, but she didn't try to convince Mortis immediately. Instead, she wanted to tell him what she was thinking

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

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

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

thought

Could she be right?

now, Mortis couldn't be

Azure

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

about it?" Mortis

I always tried to think of a way to comprehend it,

about the Law of Empathy," Azure

Mortis' eyes widened.

Right!

a beast even go

he was sure

be impossible for a

how had the Black Magnate become a Heaven's Magnate if it's impossible for a beast

now feel love

don't know," Azure said. "I think so, but I can't be sure without

she looked at

try?" she

Mortis froze.

That…

Azure. "Could you be a bit more specific?" Mortis

love each 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 know that it would hurt you if I couldn't reciprocate. So, we can just try, right? If it works, we can both experience love, and

back of his

don't know,"

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

Then, Azure remembered something.

it because I'm not attractive to you?" Azure