(Chapter 77 Goodbye)
"Is that so?"
Tempest replied, his tone cold and stoic. His expression remained unreadable, a mask of calm indifference that revealed nothing of his true thoughts.
He didn't bother to glance in Katheryne's direction, his eyes fixed straight ahead as if Nahida's presence was of little consequence.
"Tempest, I-"
Nahida began, her voice faltering as if struggling to find the right words.
"No need to apologize, Young Pasha. It's your choice to be a prisoner, not mine."
Before she could continue, Tempest cut her off with his usual calm detachment.
An uneasy silence enveloped the two of them, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. Neither moved nor spoke, the noise of the bustling Grand Bazaar seeming distant and muffled as if the world around them had momentarily faded into the background.
Finally, it was Nahida who broke the silence.
"Are you... Mad at me, Tempest?"
Nahida's voice, though soft, carried a tremor of uncertainty, as if she were hesitant to ask the question. She stood there, waiting for a response, her gaze lingering on Tempest's unreadable expression. The weight of her question hung in the air, vulnerable and sincere, piercing through the tension that had settled between them.
"Mad? No... More like disappointed."
Tempest replied, his voice as calm and controlled as ever. He still didn't turn to face her, his gaze fixed somewhere in the distance. The words, though spoken evenly, carried a weight that was hard to ignore. There was no anger in his tone, but rather a cold, measured disapproval that cut just as deeply.
"You know, in some ways, we're quite similar."
Tempest began, his voice steady but tinged with a note of bitterness.
"Both of us are bound by chains, placed there by people we despise. But there's one crucial difference between us."
He paused, his eyes narrowing as he recalled his past.
"I broke mine. When the opportunity arose to finally rid myself of my Father, I seized it without hesitation. I knew damn well the consequences that would follow, the hatred, the isolation, but none of it mattered to me. I was willing to do anything to free myself from the grip of the man who molded me into what I am today."
He continued, his tone growing colder.
"Even if it meant being despised by everyone, I would pay that price a thousand times over. Freedom was worth more to me than their approval, more than anything else. And so, I leaped at the chance, no matter how steep the cost."
Tempest's words hung in the air, each syllable weighted with the gravity of his actions and the lengths he had gone to claim his own life. There was no regret in his voice, only a cold resolve that left little room for doubt.
"But I was rewarded for my actions. Ra blessed me and proved my innocence. I revived my family's legacy, restored what was once lost."
Tempest said, his voice carrying a hint of grim satisfaction.
"And I was given a new purpose. To serve the nation as my ancestors did, and to forever uphold the will of my Archon. Her will is mine, and I am bound by it as surely as I am bound by my own destiny."
Tempest continued, his voice steady but resolute.
He finally turned to face Nahida, his gaze piercing and unwavering. She, in turn, averted her eyes, unable to meet his intense stare. The weight of his words seemed to press down upon her.
"And as for you... I gave you a chance to finally break off your chains, yet you shunned me away, you showed weakness. Weakness that I find utterly distasteful, Young Pasha."
His gaze remained fixed on Nahida, the intensity of his disappointment palpable. There was no sympathy in his tone, only a stark, unyielding judgment.
"Nothing in this world comes for free. You have to fight for it, just as I did. My Teacher once said, 'The world makes way for a man who knows where he's going.'"
Tempest said, his voice carrying a tone of hard-earned wisdom.
"I'm not like you... Tempest..."
Nahida said, her voice trembling with a mixture of resignation and sadness.
"I can never bring myself to take another's life. I've spent most of my time in the Akasha Terminal, trying to understand humanity, but I often find it nearly impossible to grasp fully. And you're right... I am pathetic."
Her head remained bowed, her shoulders slumped in defeat. The weight of her own self-assessment seemed to press heavily upon her, each word carrying the burden of her inner conflict. Nahida's admission was raw and vulnerable.
"Let me ask you a question... Young Pasha."
Tempest said, his tone shifting to one of measured curiosity.
"Do you still yearn for freedom?"
Tempest asked, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of genuine inquiry.
He regarded Nahida with a piercing gaze, searching for a glimpse of the inner conflict that had shaped her. The question was more than a simple query; it was an invitation to confront her deepest desires and the truths she had yet to face.
"I... I do..."
Nahida admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She hesitated for a moment, the weight of her own confession pressing heavily on her. Her eyes remained downcast, struggling to meet Tempest's intense gaze.
"That's good to know."
Tempest said, his tone softening slightly as he continued.
If you truly want to understand humans, you must engage with them directly, not just observe from the Akasha. True understanding comes from interacting with them, from experiencing their diverse and often complex nature firsthand. Some people can be selfish, driven by their own desires and needs. Others, like you, have a capacity for empathy and kindness. And then there are those who are the complete opposite of you. By immersing yourself in these interactions, you'll gain a deeper insight into the full spectrum of human nature."
Tempest's gaze remained steady, filled with a mix of resolve and encouragement.
"That's why I'm giving you another chance. To step beyond the confines of your current understanding and truly connect with the world around you. Since you don't want me to resort to violence to free you, I can perhaps build you a bionic body, just like what you're doing to Katheryne, right now."
Tempest's gaze was unwavering, filled with a quiet determination.
"Why are you doing so much for me, Tempest? Aren't you disappointed in me for stopping you? Why are you offering me this chance, despite everything that has happened?"
Nahida asked, her voice trembling with a mix of confusion and vulnerability. She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a deep sense of bewilderment and a yearning for understanding.
"Because you're so damn pitiful. That's why. I could have left Sumeru without a second thought, without any regrets, considering the choice you made last night. But the fact that you came to me, changed things."
Tempest said, his voice tinged with a mixture of exasperation and reluctant sympathy.
"Despite everything, you reached out, showing vulnerability that touched a chord. I see in you a struggle and a yearning that's worth addressing, not dismissing. Your actions, though flawed, reveal a depth that deserves another chance, a chance I'm willing to offer."
Nahida let out a heavy sigh, her emotions visibly unraveling. As the weight of Tempest's words settled upon her, tears began to flow from Katheryne's eyes. The gentle cascade of tears mirrored Nahida's internal struggle, a poignant display of her vulnerability and the deep impact of the moment.
"I didn't realize they had implemented a bionic body capable of crying... I'll take note of that once I build your host."
Tempest remarked, his tone carrying a hint of dry amusement mixed with genuine observation.
"Well? What do you say? Though your host will be in Fontaine, you can take control of it whenever you'd like."
Tempest asked, his voice carrying a mix of expectation and resolve.
"I can't observe beyond Sumeru's borders, I need a host to carry a part of my consciousness..."
Nahida said, her voice quivering as she wiped away her tears.
Tempest sighed deeply before rising from his seat and approaching Nahida. He gently placed his forehead against hers, his expression a mixture of resolve and compassion.
"T-Tempest?"
Nahida's voice wavered, her surprise evident as she looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and vulnerability.
"Go on then, but I'm warning you, no more taking control of my body, understood?"
Tempest said, his tone firm yet carrying an undercurrent of understanding.
"Mm, I promise..."
Nahida said, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and determination. She closed her eyes.
In that moment, Tempest's eyes shifted from their usual golden hue to a deep, vibrant green, a fleeting reflection of Nahida's presence. After a brief pause, his eyes returned to their original golden color, signaling a part of her consciousness had gone to Tempest.
"There, are you happy now?"
Tempest said, his voice carrying a mix of resignation and a hint of warmth.
Without warning, Nahida enveloped Tempest in a heartfelt hug, her arms wrapping around him with a mix of relief and gratitude.
"Thank you, Tempest... Thank you for giving me a chance and for choosing not to resort to violence."
The embrace was a silent yet powerful expression of her appreciation, conveying the depth of her relief and the weight of the opportunity she had been granted.
"Don't waste it."
Tempest said softly, his voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of earnestness. Although he didn't return the embrace, he gently patted Nahida's back, a gesture of encouragement and reassurance.
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Two days later, Tempest stood outside Sumeru City, his gaze fixed on the bustling airships that were poised and ready for departure at his command. He took out his pocket watch and examined the time.
"Guess she made her choice..."
Tempest murmured to himself, his voice reflecting a blend of resignation and quiet acceptance.
"Your Grace, whenever you're in Sumeru, simply send a messenger hawk my way. I'll ensure that a reservation is made for you without delay."
Urgath said, his voice filled with respectful attentiveness.
"Mm, thank you."
Tempest extended his hand to Urgath in a gesture of farewell, and Urgath accepted it with no hesitation, their handshake firm and respectful.
"Prep the men, Rohan. We're moving out to Port Ormos."
Tempest commanded, turning his attention to his commander.
"Aye aye, Your Grace."
Rohan replied with a nod.
Shortly thereafter, the entire group assembled, boarding their designated airships with practiced efficiency. As the ships began their ascent, they took to the sky. It was time to go home.
"Brother, look!"
Penance shouted, her finger pointing to something below.
Be careful, Penance. Don't lean out too far, that's dangerous."
His tone was firm yet protective, emphasizing the need for safety while he scanned the scene below. The sight that caught Penance's attention was now in full view.
"Wait! Don't leave without me!"
The voice of Faruzan rang out from below, catching their attention. She was running with a bag slung over her shoulder, her gaze fixed upward, desperately trying to keep up with the ascending airships. Her face was flushed from exertion as she waved frantically at the retreating vessels, her voice filled with urgency.
"Stop the airship."
Tempest said to the pilot.
"Yes, Your Grace."
The airship descended smoothly back to the ground, allowing Faruzan to board the gondola. She stumbled inside, her breathing heavy and labored from the frantic sprint she had made to catch up.
"Glad you made it, Faruzan."
Tempest said calmly. Faruzan raised her hand in a stopping gesture, while her other hand was pressed against her chest as she faked a cough.
"It's Madam Faruzan now."