The gravity of their situation returned a moment too soon. Dolis wished it hadn't been as fleeting, but there was little to enjoy when they stood amongst a massacre.
"I do not know why I am here," he said mindlessly, staring at the last leaf Terah's tree possessed. "Look at what I've caused. I...I should not have come."
Confusion marred Daelia's face. "Why not?"
A bubble of disbelief almost made Dolis laugh, but he bit it back upon staring at the blood against Daelia's garb. "That is a silly thing to ask a god of destruction."
"You have found Terah's tree. Managed to find a beautiful leaf."
"Beautiful?"
"Yes," Daelia held it up, the eerie sky above casting a faint glow, illuminating an array of colors Dolis had not seen before. "A million colors and textures within one leaf, with a unique history like ours. There's such beauty in being as different as this one leaf, wouldn't you say?"
Dolis couldn't find it in him to admit that he had a point, but one thought couldn't leave his mind. "Yet, it's destined to be destroyed the moment I touched it. Just as I have ruined mortal's lives and let chaos consume Terah's tree."
Daelia wasn't fazed by his words, as if expecting his line of thought. "You are the only one that had shown this tree remorse, Dolis. For a god of destruction, you've shown more compassion than most mortals and gods."
"Remorse?" Dolis gritted his teeth. "I've failed to protect the tree from bloodshed and conquest. As the god of war, I am supposed to protect those who cannot defend themselves. That is what they pray to me for, along with victory and death. I have failed this tree, failed Terah."
"Failed no one, Dolis. You've failed no one. The tree is resilient; it will grow again and again." Daelia smiled. "Terah's powers allow it so."
"But to have it stripped bare for sport, bloodshed, I can't imagine the pain it must be in." Dolis glances at the leaf. "To bear its last remaining leaf is a burden I will carry, even after it has replenished itself."
Daelia placed his hand along Dolis' gently. "It's not your burden to carry."
"I should have stopped it," he told Daelia. "I could've done more to protect the tree, the forests, and the people themselves."
"Those people made their choice. It is not your fault they have left such carnage."
"But I am the one who should've answered their prayers, their guidance. If I had done so—" Dolis paused, shaking Daelia's hands away. "I could've prevented this. I was not strong enough to stop the destruction—"
"It isn't a question of your strength, Dolis." Daelia's hand rested against Dolis' chest. "It's about your heart. Do you think I care about the brute force of these mortals or how aggressive they get when presented with such challenges? I care more about the nature of a person's heart."
Dolis blinked. "You mentioned something about mine, if I recall."
"Yes."
"That it's swollen, heavy," Dolis listed, frowning as he went on. "That it's in agony."
Daelia nodded. "Wouldn't you agree?"
Dolis sucked in a breath, staring back down at the tattered leaf before him. "Maybe? I wouldn't know if it is or not."
"It aches for peace," Daelia told him. "For acceptance, belonging. To feel loved despite all it's gone through. Wouldn't you agree?"
Dolis' stomach fluttered in a way that reminded him of their time in the gardens. He had long buried those thoughts of belonging with other gods and mortals long ago, fearing he'd just be burned over and over again.
It was different than how Xiros told him that socializing with others would be beneficial or how Thova included him and introduced him to her friends on the council. It was as if Daelia really could see right through him; read him as Dolis, not as the god of destruction. His godship was irrelevant in Daelia's eyes; all he could see was the truth.
It was refreshing, a wave of inexhaustible relief at being seen.
"Dolis?" The god of love looked at him with concern and respect, not fear and apprehension.
Dolis nodded, forgetting the question. "You said something about Terah's healing properties." He glanced at the barren tree. "I'm not sure that's possible anymore in the state her tree's in."
"Give me your hands, Dolis." Daelia held his palms to the sky. "Lady Terah is far better at this than I, but I've inherited much of her gifts."
Dolis gently placed his hands in front of him, hovering over Daelia's fair and dainty fingers. He feared even touching them with his, believing the calluses and scars from battles and wars fought in the past could mar and injure the god's hands before him. Daelia moved then, grasping Dolis' rough hands in his before emitting a pulse of energy between them. It washed over him, soothing something within him that Dolis hadn't realized was there. His shoulders leaned back, his body feeling light and loose. "It's no simple process, but I believe I could help over time."
"You'd help the god of destruction?"
"Everyone deserves happiness and love, Dolis. Even you."
Resisting the urge to scoff, Dolis let out a breath. "Someone would think you insane if they had heard you."
"They'd be wrong. Love, affection, respect, these are my jurisdiction." Daelia sent a stronger pulse of aura between them. The feeling washed over him again in a gentle caress. "I'll be the judge of who deserves such things. And you—you deserve it the most."
Dolis shook his head. "Then I must be wrong too. I'd have to agree with the others. I don't deserve such niceties nor receive such a gift like this."
Daelia pursed his lips before looking up at him with a faint smile. "I do not give out such niceties to those undeserving. And this is more than just a gift. It is the least I can offer to atone for the other's hatred. In time, they should all look upon you as people look to me; with hope, trust, and appreciation."
"Have you found your suitor?" Dolis said, avoiding the comment. "They must've been quite impressive to find this elusive tree in the first place."
Daelia paused. "I have."
"And the most beautiful heart-shaped leaf?"
"Yes."
Dolis couldn't contain the shaky breath that escaped him. He had known his odds of coming here were slim, but to hear those words confirmed Dolis' doubts. Whoever had escaped this massacre alive with a pristine leaf must've been a fine god or mortal that Dolis had no right to let himself be upset about.
"That must bring you happiness," he managed. "Congratulations."
"You do not wish to know who they are?" Daelia tilted his head with a frown.
Dolis blinked. "In time, I will know. I assume there will be a ceremony."
"Indeed," Daelia said. "It'll be a highly anticipated ceremony, I imagine. You will attend, won't you?"
Dolis almost wanted to say no, and tell Daelia that there was no point in appearing before the council of the gods. Especially with the heated stares and the guilt he'd feel in their presence for the dead. "I suppose I have no choice. Especially if the council requests my presence."
"I look forward to seeing you then."
"Likewise," Dolis replied, wishing his words had not sounded so forced. Daelia smiled unperturbed before placing the fragile leaf in Dolis' hand again. He bid him farewell, and Dolis watched as he left, the blood still splattering against the beautiful white cloth.
He waited until he could no longer spot the god before turning to the dead at his feet. He had much work to do if he were to send as many mortals to his father's realm properly.
He mindlessly got to work, sending his prayers as the god of love's words echoed in his mind.
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