''The flash of light soon faded...''

"...and so too did the corruption.  Its judging eyes and sinister grin were no longer and the surroundings slowly regained their color. 

It was gone.  It was really gone!  I had defeated my past, remembered my true self, but...

I took a brief pause before coming back to reality. 

My heart sank when I saw you lying lifeless upon the rugged stone ground, but I held onto a small bit of hope as I could not sense a broken bond.  A light touch affirmed my hope-- you were still warm, just unconscious.  Inspecting your side revealed no blood, only some scar tissue obscured by fur.  Never more than now was I thankful for the nature forces, as had they not been there the circumstances would be, um, unpleasant.  With newfound invigoration I gathered you in my arms and gently set you upon a small plateau in the stone, resting your back against a wall.

Minutes felt like hours, but I waited out the short while with you.  After some time, you had begun to stir."

---

"Kirai?"

"Yu...ki?  What happened?"

"It...It found us.  Found me."

"What's "it"?  I couldn't...really see what it was through that energy veil..."

"...When the negative energy from years past was expelled from my body, not all of it neutralized.  Instead, it...it waited.  It communicated through the remains of my corruption to haunt me.  As long as there was any left..."

"..."

"...I am so sorry.  It went through you to hurt me.  It knew what I know, and thus it would use what I know against me.  I never wanted you to see that...thing, let alone be hurt by it.

"Is it...?"

"It is gone, and for good.  I saw it for what it really was, and finally understood your willingness to push me from harm's way.  From you, I could remember what, who, I really was, and have always been..."

"Yuki?"

"Y-yes?"

"Your eyes."

"...What about them?"

"They're not red anymore."

"Are you... Really?  I..."

"I'm so proud of you."

---

"…I never thought I would hear those words.

Maybe it is true, then, that we can atone for the shadows of our past, that some things are beyond our control, and that we can still be cared for.  That monster...was not me at all, after all, was it?

No... If it were, I would not be here.

Perhaps, then, that no matter how mired in hopelessness and fear our true selves sink, there can still be hope-- some way out.  Maybe it does not only come from us, but those around us whom we hold dear.  Without you, I...I do not think I would have seen it to the end and overcome those remains of my former existence.  I do not yet know how to properly thank you.  Maybe I can start with the letter…

Oh!  Upon recollection of my true self, I even remembered my name!  It is..."

---

I hope you have enjoyed the series.

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