Kraxor Tyraneroth knelt on one knee whilst looking up at the stars, noting the familiar constellations he’d known since he was a mere hatchling. They were one of the few things here that reminded him of home. He held his glaive, Soultaker with one hand, resting it vertically on the leafy ground, the other gauntleted hand on his leg. The weapon gleamed in the moonlight, illuminating the clearing, so much more than just a device of death. It represented Kraxor’s whole way of life, a physical object embodying the Path he followed. The Path of Waves.
Kraxor’s mind had been a messy tangle of thoughts ever since leaving the white dragon and Kriv alone in that godforsaken place. The reasoning was simple. Sacrifice one to save many. That book could not end up in the hands of those who would abuse it. It could cost the lives of thousands, if not more. But this knowledge didn’t numb the guilt he was feeling. He had come out here, into the forest, to think properly. Where he could meditate under a starry sky, with just the sounds of nature for company.
It wasn’t so long ago Kriv had been just another mercenary, someone to work with in order to achieve a goal. To get the job done. When had that changed? Kraxor didn’t know, but he did know that this was a rare event. This was more than just a crew. Bonds had been forged, and now it looked like an unbreakable part of a chain had somehow been severed. And then there was the fact that Kriv was a fellow Dragonborn, hailing from Ka’rhashan, just as he. It was the last thing Kraxor had expected to see upon entering the Jade Fort for the first time, and this had a bigger impact on the relationship than he could have anticipated.
Kraxor played out the events of the previous day over and over. There must have been another way for everyone to get out – or for Kraxor to have sacrificed himself instead of his friend. Or, should they have just left the damn book? Afterall, could it ever be right to make such a decision, sacrificing someone – even if it did prevent a larger calamity? What did the Path have to say on this? Kraxor didn’t know. For once, he felt directionless, without a guide. The Path, it seemed, did not account for everything. Kraxor had once thought its codes faultless, but now having made a decision that left him with this gut-wrenching guilt, he was starting to question it.
No, he thought. Be stronger than this! You cannot blame the Path for this. This is your decision to live with. The Path is a guide, a way of life, but every being is ultimately responsible for their own decisions. We will all face decisions we do not want to face, and we will all question the choice we make. It’s how we recover from this that defines us.
We didn’t see Kriv fall. I must have faith in him. Whether he lives or not, I must stand by my decision. He would have done the same thing, and I would not blame him for it. I will blame myself no more! Kraxor slowly stood up, shouldering Soultaker as he did so.
It is the path we take that counts, and not the destination we end at. The words of the Path of Waves seemed more important than ever. Make the right choices. Live a good life. Live with honour. Do what counts. He had saved countless lives and prevented one of the largest catastrophes to ever occur on Khorvaire. That was the correct course of action.
Kraxor knew there is a time in every follower’s life when a realisation was struck. When enlightenment was achieved. It was a cornerstone of the Path – of all the Paths. It could not be described by another, you had to feel it for yourself. And when it happened, you would know. The weeks of training and assignments had been building to this moment, but now, in the light of the moon in this forest, Kraxor knew. The shock of that last battle, the resolve of choosing to leave Kriv behind, the emotional turmoil of the aftermath, and finally this self-reflection had triggered this within him.
Suddenly, everything was clear. The codes of the Path of Waves fell together. The tenants he had been studying for years now made perfect sense. He had achieved his Zennith – the true coming of age. It was unusually early, being at his rank – but there was no denying it. As Kraxor looked at the dark, rustling surroundings, they almost looked a different shade, a different colour. He was seeing with new eyes, listening with new ears.
He now knew what the next step was – a return to Q’barra. He had crossed the world in order to reach this pinnacle, and he had promised to return when this objective was complete. Something inside was niggling at him, asking him to stay. But he had made a promise to his clan. He had to put aside any such petty thoughts of staying. It was time to go home.
It is the path that counts, and not the destination it takes us to.