“Hello.”
Trimes blinked as they opened the door to their apartment. Ever since the Sudden Darkness, the complications from being touched by Corruption and the loss of most of their left arm, Trimes had been living in an assisted care facility. They had their own private quarters, a bed, small living room and bathroom, but Trimes relied on carers to feed and clean himself occasionally. While they were well looked after, Trimes’s life was somewhat lonely now, as they had almost no family and never had visitors outside from an older couple of friends once in a blue moon.
Trimes understood why though. Which was why they were so surprised by today’s visitor.
“R-Relkir?” Trimes stuttered. “What… what are you doing here?”
Relkir sighed. “I want to make amends. May I come in?”
Trimes hesitated, then nodded, moving to one side so Relkir could enter. They closed the door behind their youngest daughter then led them down to the living area, which consisted of a sofa and an armchair. The armchair was clearly well used, but the sofa seemed untouched.
“W-would you like a drink, dear?”
Relkir lifted up their satchel and opened it up, They placed two non-alcoholic dark meads on the coffee table. “I brought some drinks already. There are a few things I want to discuss.”
“Very well…” Trimes sat down and got themselves comfy. As comfy as they could get. They reached for a mostly empty box on the table, pulled out a single jelly sweet then put it in their mouth. “I am sorry, I do not have any food in here apart from the pain killer jellies. And even then, I get eight a day, I somewhat ration them.”
“That is fine. You are clearly not doing well in here.”
Trimes glanced at where their left arm used to be, then frowned. “They do their best. But I cannot paint any more and I am so lonely. I disregarded my blood family when I married Revan, only for Revan to essentially ditch me once I was no longer of use to them. Mother was right. Marrying Revan brought me nothing but grief. I had three perfect kids I never got to speak to. I am surprised you are even here. Especially after Revan stalked you and laid their hands on you.”
Relkir tutted. “Revan’s actions are not your actions. You did not tell Revan to try and track me down, to try and track Retvik down, not to apologise, but to secure their own future. Have you… even spoken to my egg layer?”
“It… it hurts that you do not even see me and Revan as your parents. I understand why though. All I did was sleep with Revan a handful of times until they became egg-ridden. Most of my conversations with Revan ended up with them shouting at me and leaving.”
“That unfortunately does not surprise me in the slightest.”
Trimes looked Relkir up and down then sighed some more. “I think this is my first time speaking to you for more than a moment. I do not think I ever managed to speak to Retvik at all before they… disappeared… I was always bound to silence, and too weak-willed to stand up for myself. I used to consider myself intelligent, but, well, I proved myself otherwise in my home and family life, even if I was a successful General.”
Relkir tutted. “You say that as if I have been completely successful. I am doing well for myself now, but I spent most of my adult years being mocked and believing I did not deserve to be alive. I lived in Rethais’s shadow, almost enslaving myself to them in a bid to not feel guilty for just existing. Things are better now, in the last year and a half since we ended the Traditions, I have been actually living my life. But it has not been smooth sailing.”
“I know… That is… my fault… I am… I am still so proud of you though. I am so proud that Rethais became High General. I am so proud that you are so smart, guiding everyone and coming a General yourself and… and…” Trimes trailed off. “I think what bothers me the most is that I have no idea what happened to my oldest daughter. I did not even know they were … gone… until a month after the Sudden Darkness, when I saw that video of what happened at the Great Arenas. Are the rumours true? That Rethais will make a way to make dead Rethans captains in the Ghost Legion?”
“I am not sure, actually. It is only something Rethais and Vaksavar have mentioned in passing.”
“I… I see…” Trimes trailed off, then put their head in their hand. “I am so sorry, Relkir. I have done nothing good by you.”
“Well, in all honesty, that statement is incorrect. You have done nothing. You have never done anything towards me. Which is why… why I feel no real anger towards you.”
“Why are you here then?” Trimes asked.
“Because, while we have been disconnected and disjointed our entire lives, there is nothing stopping me from being the better person and giving you a second chance. Revan will never hear from me ever again, but you have an opportunity to be better. And the best chance you can do that is via this.”
Relkir slid an envelope across the table. Trimes stared at it, then hastily grabbed it and opened it up.
“You are getting married?”
“Yes.”
“And… you are inviting me to the wedding?”
“Yes. It is a little short notice, but, well, Gath’s parents will be present. I thought I ought to offer you an opportunity to be present too.”
Trimes fell silent, then smiled, just a little. For the first time in a long time, Trimes felt a small amount of hope.
“Can I come to your wedding please, Relkir?”
Relkir nodded. “Of course. Do you need help arranging anything?”
“I… I should be fine… Thank you, Relkir. Thank you for giving me a second chance.”
“It is not a problem. Most people deserve a second chance. Apart from Revan.”
“Hah!” Trimes laughed. “Fair enough…”