Chapter 142: Good Night, Norne
"Cough... cough..." Norne gripped Rhodes's wrist with a strength that belied his dying state. "I thought... I would never see you again," he said, his words coming in short, ragged breaths.
"I'm sorry. I'm late."
Rhodes took his hand and felt the faint flicker of life within him, a lamp that was about to be extinguished.
He was silent for a moment, then his voice was hesitant. "Norne... that spell I told you about..." He had told him, years ago, of a spell that could absorb the life force of others, a spell that could extend one's own life. And he had offered to teach it to him. But the price was a heavy one. The human soul was too fragile; it could not withstand the erosion of time. Even he himself did not know what he would become after thousands of years of continuous reincarnation. And to take the life of another... there was always the risk of corruption. He did not want to see his old friend become a monster of pure obsession, but he could not bear to see him go.
And so, against his own better judgment, he offered it once more. And once more, he was refused.
"No, Rhodes," he said, shaking his head with a firm resolve. The excitement in his eyes had faded, replaced by a quiet calm. "I know your intentions are good. But I do not want it."
He turned his head with a great effort and looked out the window, at the palace gardens. "I, Ersten Norne, was born in this world, I have lived in this world, I have fought for this world, and I will die in this world. My life has been full, and rich, and I lack for nothing."
His gaze drifted past Rhodes and Serie, and to the horizon, as if he could see another old friend. He hadn't told anyone he was dying, not even Somme. He had intended to just slip away quietly and leave a final message for Rhodes. But to see him now, at the very end... it was enough. To be able to tell him his choice in person, to be able to ask the question he had never dared to ask... it was enough.
"It is enough... it is truly enough," he said, a peaceful smile on his lips. "Rhodes, as I have said before, the greatness of humanity lies in the brevity of our lives. It is because our time is so short that we cherish every day. And I... I have burned my own short life. And though it was not as bright a flame as I might have wished, it was enough. And now... it is time to rest."
"I see. I understand." Since his old friend had made his choice, all he could do was see him off. But there was one last thing. "Norne, about Eirik..."
His breathing grew ragged, and he clutched Rhodes's hand, his eyes fixed on him. It was the next thing he had been about to say.
"I know. I know everything! If only I had noticed sooner... if only I could have stopped him..." his voice was filled with regret.
"It's not your fault, Norne," he said, trying to comfort him. "No one could have known that the goddess would target him. All we can do now... is give him his final peace."
"You're right," he said, a tear rolling down his cheek. "Help him, Rhodes. Please," his voice was now a desperate plea, the last obsession of a dying man. "End his suffering. Let him... let him find peace as Eirik, not as a prisoner in the body of a Demon King."
So he had finally made the choice. Or perhaps, he had known all along, but had never had the strength to say it. He had been hoping for a miracle, but now, at the end of his life, that miracle had not come. All he could do now was to bear the sin of his friend's death. At the very least, it was his own choice.
The room was silent, save for the sound of his ragged breathing.
Rhodes looked at him, at the pain and the pleading in his face, at the strength of his grip, and he was silent for a long, long time, so long that even Serie thought he would not answer.
Finally, he slowly nodded. "I will. I promise you, Norne. Eirik will find his peace."
Hearing his promise, the tension in his body finally released. "I'm sorry," he said with a long, drawn-out sigh, "to make you do such a thing. But at least... the sin will be mine to bear."
A look of peace came over his face, and his hand, which had been gripping Rhodes's so tightly, now went limp. He turned his head and looked out the window one last time, a look of longing in his eyes.
"Rhodes..." he said, his voice now like that of a child, "was I... a good king? Did I... live up to everyone's expectations? To the future of humanity?"
The question was not about power, or strength, but about a single human, in his short life, and whether he had fulfilled his duty, whether he had lit the path for those who would come after.
Rhodes looked at him, at his eyes, which were now losing their focus, but were still fixed on him, and he did not hesitate. He took his hand once more. "Ersten Norne," he said, using his full name, "you did well. You did very, very well. And now... you can rest."
The path ahead... he would walk it. And it would be a long one. But at least, he would not be alone.
Hearing his words, the last of the fear and uncertainty on Norne's face vanished, replaced by a smile of pure contentment. "Is that so? That's good. That's... very good."
His voice grew softer and softer, and his pupils began to dilate. "Thank you, Rhodes. Thank you... everyone."
The last few words were almost inaudible.
And the hand he was holding was now cold.
In the eleventh year of the Kingdom of Ersten, the first king of humanity, Norne, passed away.
Rhodes held his friend's hand for a long, long time, looking at the peaceful smile on his face.
And in the silence of the room, Serie let out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh.
(End of chapter)
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