(o) Familiar stranger

Maea

And time it waits for no one
It heals them when you die

"You did. I didn't believe it. Didn't want to, I suppose." A fool, through and through. How much would be different if she'd just heeded all the warnings given when it came to Sunjata? From him, from everyone around him? It was too late to wonder now.

"Her monsters killed my family. Do I need more reason than that? Then let's see." Maea started counting off on her fingers. "She started this war with the gods, and I don't care what reasons she might have had. They're not good enough. Then she threatened me. But I've told you about that before - just after the barrier fell, after she showed in great detail what she does to people who ascend." The shudder passing through the young woman was very real this time. In hindsight it felt too much like a promise or a premonition. "And now... well, it's my own fault too for listening. But if she hadn't opened the way back, I'd be safely dead and not dependent on her for my continued existence. And from what I understand there's no point in dying again either - I wouldn't return to Mort anyway. I'm stuck. And I absolutely blame her for all of it."

Fairness had nothing to do with it.

And soon you are forgotten
A whisper within a sigh