This letter arrives at almost the exact end of Flowerbirth, on the wings of a messenger raven, eventually reaching its destination in the Greatwood.
Hotaru,
Let me begin by saying it's not easy to write this letter. I know I've wronged you, regardless of the in's and out's of everything surrounding the circumstances... I know. I was merciless and unkind, and I had so many dark thoughts. Thoughts I would never dare entertain now, actions that I would not take now unless I absolutely had to. But I hold regret for them all the same, and I will for the rest of my days. That is my burden to carry, though - not yours.
I know you don't want to hear from me, I know that it would be so much easier for us both to go on pretending the other doesn't exist. But I can't. Everything got so out of hand so quickly. I didn't even know it was you that night - not until it was too gods damn late. I could go on about how I wish things were different, and I wish I had something more profound to tell you.
I could tell all about what I've been through, the events and twists in my life that led up to my worst moments. But those are just excuses, at this point. The truth is, I don't know why I did what I did. I was angry, and I let it control me.
Instead, I write you this letter to tell you that I am going to change the past. Or I'll try, at least. There is a war coming that we can't hide from, that we can't run from. We need fewer forces working against us.
I will always admire you as an enemy, you have been one of the most formidable people I've ever faced. I'm not afraid to admit that. But I remember when we first met, we both wanted to protect Sunjata, bonded over it. At the time it was the most important thing to us. Because he was the one in danger. But now it's more than just one man, more than just one person's past come back to haunt them. It's everyone. It's this world. It's our friends, our family, the people we know, and life beyond them too. Everything is at risk.
I want to look beyond us, beyond what's been done. I want to make things right.
My question is this: if I can bring Atlas back, would it be enough? To put an end to all of it, put it all behind us. If you won't help me, will you at least let me try?
Hotaru,
Let me begin by saying it's not easy to write this letter. I know I've wronged you, regardless of the in's and out's of everything surrounding the circumstances... I know. I was merciless and unkind, and I had so many dark thoughts. Thoughts I would never dare entertain now, actions that I would not take now unless I absolutely had to. But I hold regret for them all the same, and I will for the rest of my days. That is my burden to carry, though - not yours.
I know you don't want to hear from me, I know that it would be so much easier for us both to go on pretending the other doesn't exist. But I can't. Everything got so out of hand so quickly. I didn't even know it was you that night - not until it was too gods damn late. I could go on about how I wish things were different, and I wish I had something more profound to tell you.
I could tell all about what I've been through, the events and twists in my life that led up to my worst moments. But those are just excuses, at this point. The truth is, I don't know why I did what I did. I was angry, and I let it control me.
Instead, I write you this letter to tell you that I am going to change the past. Or I'll try, at least. There is a war coming that we can't hide from, that we can't run from. We need fewer forces working against us.
I will always admire you as an enemy, you have been one of the most formidable people I've ever faced. I'm not afraid to admit that. But I remember when we first met, we both wanted to protect Sunjata, bonded over it. At the time it was the most important thing to us. Because he was the one in danger. But now it's more than just one man, more than just one person's past come back to haunt them. It's everyone. It's this world. It's our friends, our family, the people we know, and life beyond them too. Everything is at risk.
I want to look beyond us, beyond what's been done. I want to make things right.
My question is this: if I can bring Atlas back, would it be enough? To put an end to all of it, put it all behind us. If you won't help me, will you at least let me try?
