Chapter 605: Deceit
"Do I believe it?" Verity frowned, letting me go of my hands. "Xiviyah, that’s not the question. I’ve searched dozens of futures, and this is the only way. Everything else leads to your death. There is no other hope for you to be free."
I touched my chest, flinching at the feel of my fingers against the soft, unblemished skin. "Free? As a slave?"
"The church may have dealt poorly with you in the past, but things are different now. The demons are strong, and they need every resource they can get. Now that you’re not a hero, it won’t be a problem for you to appear in public or use your powers to protect the innocent."
My hand closed into a loose fist. "Is that what they told you?"
She nodded. "As painful as the past is, you can’t let that stop you from embracing the future. Hatred and revenge only lead to more darkness, and you’ve been there long enough. I can see it in your eyes. Aren’t you ready to move on, to forgive, and be free?"
I bit my lip, squeezing my eyes shut to hold back tears. "I...don’t know if I can ever be free. I’ve tried so hard, but...no matter what, I always end up where I started."
Her silver eyes glistened with pity. "There’s hope in the future, for this world, and for you. As the Fate hero, it’s my job to share that hope, to show others the path forward." She tilted her head, frowning. "But... you know that. You once had the same calling. Didn’t you look ahead and view the things to come? Didn’t you see that no matter how dark it is, there’s always a light to come?"
"Not anymore," I whispered, meeting her eyes. This time, it was she who squirmed, averting her gaze. "There’s nothing in the future but pain. I’ve seen this war end hundreds, maybe thousands of times, and not once is there anything but darkness. Should the demons win, millions will perish, but if the gods win..."
"There will be peace," she said.
I shook my head. "There is no light without darkness. If the gods win, they will smother this world with the heart crest. There will be no more conflict, or sorrow, but also...no peace and joy. An empty, meaningless existence."
"That’s not what it’s like!" she protested. "The gods have no intention of ruling every thought and desire, only instilling a basis of piety and belief. There won’t be any more crime or suffering. It’s a perfect future."