He figured living was just easier

everything i knew is turning into ruins in your shadow

There was more the Alchemist might have said—that Sam could just stop defending the Voice and let her fight her own battles, or that he could go back to tending his shop and sever his ties with his kin—but he too let the subject drop with a nod of his head.

'Safrin.' Remi replied in a low voice. "Ronin had gone to the Temple, though I suppose you know that part of it. Safrin appeared and when she took him away, she took Aoife and I as well." He didn't know why of course and when last Remi had seen the goddess, he'd been far too furious for rationality so he'd never actually asked.

"I have something I chose." The Alchemist corrected. It wasn't necessarily the same as having what he wanted. 'Come on. Sounds like things are about to begin." He inclined his head back towards the beach. As...strangely pleasant as it was speaking to Sam, the Alchemist needed Ronin now more than ever. With Isla's blood now dry on his fingers and stiffening his skin, the urgency he felt was only rising deep in his belly.

~FIN

THE ALCHEMIST

i thought that i'd be ready
but falling isn't steady once you let go