As Nazune was overwhelmed in sorrow and newfound mourning upon hearing the horrid truth, Norriden shared his thoughts on the matter. The voice of Mother stayed silent during his bit, and her response came a moment after his last sentence. Her tone of voice wasn't angry or reprimanding, but oddly explanatory in a maternal way:
I believe you simply misunderstand, child. The universe and creation and existance is all devoid of any true meaning, lacking any true purpose. It is all hollow, merely a gap into which life came to be. That life also existed without meaning. Meaning and purpose is not a birthright; it must be made.
And so it can be given to one by another.
Look at her, child. Each tear that she sheds is shed for a reason. Each tear serves a beautiful purpose. Nazune's life was in peril to become meaningless as Elial attempted to leave this realm in death. I saved her from that gap, that empty void. I did this because I love her, can you not see?
I gave her a reason to fight.
I gave her someone to fight.
I gave her life a purpose.
I gave her someone to avenge...
"Mother!" Nazune shrieked through her tears. "What happiness was I to find in sorrow!? What peace was I to find in mourning!? What sort of meaning is this??"
Mother took a second, but replied nevertheless in her comforting and reassuring tone again:
All is in order, my child. I have seen the many faces of purpose and how different individuals exemplify and embody them. They are the alignments. I know that Elial has already shared a few words with you about this, my words simply spoken from his mouth. As you know, he was Valor. And you Nazune, after discovering your past I knew you were inexplicably one type:
Torment.
Nazune failed to breathe for a few seconds as Mother's words sunk in. Her head slowly shook side-to-side in denial, her jaw hanging lifelessly.
It is true, my child. The span of your lives can be measured from torment to torment. Your ultimate pursuit was that lasting peace, that dream landscape.
Nazune gasped-
And her dream became visible, replacing the bleak and featureless surroundings of before:
Nazune was happy as anyone could ever be.
The afternoon sun was shining brightly, and there was not even a wisp of a white cloud to obscure the view of the beautiful blue sky.
She was sitting on the top of hill, the roving green England landscape set out wonderfully before her. A cool summer breeze was blowing steadily as well, and the little patch of yellow flowers in front of her were swaying slightly due to the light wind. The birds in the trees were all alive with lovely and melodious song, the avian chorus never ceasing to provide their soothing music.
Nazune's Mother was sitting next to her, holding her close, the warmth of her body in delightful contrast to the cool wind. Mother was saying something to her, laughing gaily at irregular times (but always smiling), but Nazune was at a lack to listen. She was busy observing everything around her...taking in everything for what it was...what it truly was...
Even life.
....
It didn't take long for her to realize that this was an Utopia...
The dream slowly dissipated away, vanishing as Nazune reached her hand out towards it.
We all have our one true dream, Nazune, the end of our road towards which we all strive. But, what happens when we achieve that dream? What happens when we come to the end of our road? Once we have attained that dream, that driving purpose, that which gave our lives a meaning, then what have we left?
Nothing. Our dreams are our destruction. The road to them holds all meaning and purpose. The journey itself, after all, is more important than the journey's goal.
I am saving you from that linear path, Nazune. Your meaning and purpose is found in your Torment alignment, and it shall be undying. You will never come to destruction, as I will do all I can to keep your dream from your grasp.
I will give you life anew, with a new enemy, a new struggle, and new torments - your purpose and meaning shall be resurrected from destruction.
Your eyes will forever glow a tormented red...I promise.
...
...
"No..." Nazune breathed defiantly.
My child? Will you not except my wondrous gift?
"No..." She breathed again.
I do this out of nothing but love for you, Nazune. That is my alignment, after all.
"No..." She breathed a third time. Nazune slowly composed herself and rose to her feet. "I don't want to believe what you believe Mother. I don't want any of it. I don't want to be reborn again." And she started screaming now, "I don't want any of it!! I don't want your torments! I don't want my eyes to glow anymore!! I just want to be happy!"
I'm sorry Nazune...but if you found happiness, you would lose your meaning and purpose. I cannot let you be happy.
Nazune frantically glanced around, then found an idea.
"Mother...I will be freed from Torment. I will find happiness!"
And with that-
!!!!
Nazune threw her arms around Norriden and kissed him deeply and passionately, throwing everything she had into one blissful moment. She felt that sensational rush coursing throughout her body, warming her heart again.
Even the black landscape around them began to brighten up slowly as Nazune was breaking free...
...
And Mother's voice was a small whisper of disbelief:
This...cannot happen.