In a secluded corner of Memory, Khalas crawled and clawed forward amidst His own wept tears. As He reached a burnt hand forward, His student from eons past, Han-Silnar, came to His aide. Placing one arm beneath that of the Wanderer's one limb not mangled and ruined, the Aldar lifted Him up. Then, together, they struggled onward through a blasted landscape.

"Everything I have done... I only ever wanted purpose, Han-Silnar."

"Imagine the pain of knowing, of being told that He had no plan nor goal for Me as He did the rest. As He did even for the Aldar. It HURT, little brother."

"My Siblings denied Me even the chance to join Them. I wanted to help Phaestus at the forge. Train with Matsuhama. Learn with Lucretius. Laugh, and love, with Eros. Paint with Scarlatti. Dream with Valnurana."

Han-Silnar leaned the wounded God against a lone boulder amid the shattered world, kneeling before his once-Master as he prepared to ask Him a question.

"Do You remember what You said before, My Lord? That it was what she said? What she asked? Begged?"

Exhausted, wounded, weakened, Khalas' tired features shifted to an expression of confusion masking irritation upon his now-burned and scarred visage.

"Her last word. Before You gave her to the Legion," continued Han-Silnar with cold seriousness.

Khalas, the Wanderer said with annoyance, "Who?"

Only then did Soulfinder move, piercing deep within the Elder God as Han-Silnar took revenge for Enheduanna, for her suffering. The eyes of Khalas widened but briefly in shock as He slumped into His pupil's arms, and His last breath drifted from His lips.

The stars stilled in the heavens, and Creation wept for the death of Khalas, the Wanderer.

-

Han-Silnar quietly lowered the corpse of Khalas to the rocky ground, His body untouched and untouchable by decay in cessation. Finally, slowly, the Aldar turned his gaze towards the empty skies of Memory.

"It is done. I know You are listening for those words. You can show Yourselves now."

Gleaming clarion in the mist-shrouded depths, a shimmering archway opened wide as Lorielan revealed Herself with Vastar and Twilight not far behind. Wrath lanced through the usually calm countenance of the Jade Empress as She spoke firmly and concisely.

"You broke your word, Han-Silnar."

Without emotion, the voice of Han-Silnar rang in response, "The three of You tasked me to deliver Him. You did not specify the condition. I am bound to Your commands. Not to expectations You do not voice."

"You will regret your defiance, servant."

"I regret nothing."

Han-Silnar handed the bloodied Soulfinder to the Jade Empress, and as She left so too did he. Still bound, and never free.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summary: Burnt and exhausted in the wake of His battle with Sycaerunax, Khalas sought His student for aid. In an act of betrayal against the Elder God and revenge for Enheduanna, Han-Silnar stabbed and killed Khalas with the Soulfinder. Lorielan, the Jade Empress expressed Her anger that Han-Silnar had slain Khalas rather than deliver Him alive, and returned the Aldar to his eternity of servitude.


Penned by My hand on the 18th of Mayan, in the year 923 AF.