Arlon stood still for a long while in the black void after the vision ended, his breath shallow, eyes locked on nothing in particular.
He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.
The truth behind Asef... was far more complex than he had imagined.
A tragedy twisted into hatred. A child turned into a weapon. A brother who never truly had a chance to heal.
But even with all of that, even after seeing every memory, every step Asef had taken from the well to Trion, Arlon couldn't condone what he had done.
Understanding wasn't the same as forgiveness.
And even though Asef had been manipulated, even though Hon and others had pulled the strings and fanned the flames, Asef had still made his own choices.
He had walked forward on that path willingly. Hatred didn't excuse what he became.
Arlon clenched his fists slightly.
If it were just a matter of being deceived... maybe he could've done something differently.
But this?
This wasn't someone he could let go free.
