What is Left of Me

The journey to meet Sagittarius had taken a toll on them all. After their failed attempt at teleportation and the overwhelming weight of the past that Sagittarius had been unable to escape, Lee, Kuran, and Sagittarius herself had taken some time apart. Lee had kept his distance from the clearing, unsure of how to help, and Kuran had withdrawn into quiet contemplation, offering few words of solace.

Now, days had passed. The forest that had once been full of uncertainty was quiet, serene even, as if the world itself had paused in its tracks. Sagittarius had taken refuge in a secluded cabin deep within the forest, away from the dangers of the alternates and the weight of her failure.

Lee, though, could feel the ache of guilt gnawing at him, festering beneath the surface. He couldn't shake the feeling that, somehow, he was responsible for what had happened. If he hadn't come into the picture, would Sagittarius have ascended? Would she have succeeded in mastering her power and avoided the haunting memories of her past life? The questions twisted and turned in his mind, each one leading to another with no clear answers.

He sat on a large stone by the edge of a small creek, staring into the water, his fingers idly skimming the surface. He could see his own reflection—tired eyes, shoulders heavy with worry—but it was more than just exhaustion. It was a sinking feeling, as if the weight of the world rested on his chest, pushing him deeper with every breath.

"You can't blame yourself," Kuran's voice broke through the quiet. Lee hadn't heard him approach, but there he was, standing nearby, his eyes fixed on the creek as well.

Lee didn't respond immediately. The silence between them stretched on before he finally spoke, his voice low and filled with self-doubt. "But if I hadn't been there… if I hadn't pushed her… would she have been able to…?"

"You can't change the past, Lee," Kuran interrupted gently. He stepped closer, taking a seat on a nearby rock. "You didn't force anything. She was already on her path. You're not responsible for her failure, nor are you the reason she's struggling. She's her own person—her own Zodiac."

Lee's hands tightened into fists, his fingers brushing against the cold stone. "I know that. But seeing her like that… I don't think she'll be able to get past it. The pain... I don't think she can move forward. And that scares me. If she doesn't improve on her power, if she doesn't ascend, then…" His voice faltered, the words dying in his throat.

Kuran sighed, his expression a mixture of weariness and understanding. "I get it. You care about her. But sometimes, there's nothing we can do. We can't force someone to change or to heal before they're ready. All you can do is be there for them. You're not her savior, Lee. You're a companion, a friend."

Lee shook his head, his gaze fixed on the water. "But if she fails... she'll die. And I won't be able to do anything about it. I won't be able to save her."

Kuran's expression softened, though there was no easy answer. He leaned back slightly, looking up at the trees above them. "We all face our demons, Lee. Sagittarius included. Her past life—her failure—haunts her, but it's not something she can run from forever. It's her journey, and you're right to care about her, but you can't carry that burden for her."

Lee let out a breath, his heart heavy. "I wish I could do more. I feel like if I don't do something, she'll be lost."

"Just give her time," Kuran said quietly. "She'll need time to heal, to gather herself. Sometimes, the only thing we can offer is our patience. Don't rush her. And don't rush yourself either. You can't force growth, either for yourself or for someone else. It takes time."

They sat in silence for a long while, the sound of the creek filling the void between them. Lee's mind raced, but Kuran's words echoed in his thoughts. It was true—there was nothing he could do to change the past. But there was still time. He could still be there for Sagittarius, be the support she needed, even if that meant waiting for her to find her own way.

As the day wore on and the sky darkened, Kuran stood up, stretching his arms. "You should get some rest. We'll see if Sagittarius is ready to try again tomorrow. But for now, we need to let her be."

Lee nodded, though his thoughts remained troubled. It didn't feel like there was much hope in the air, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come. But he knew Kuran was right. He had to trust in Sagittarius's strength, in her ability to rise, even if it seemed impossible.

That night, as Lee lay awake in his bed, his mind kept returning to the same question: what if he had failed her? What if, despite all his efforts, he couldn't prevent the darkness from consuming her?

But he wasn't sure of anything anymore. He only knew one thing for certain—he wouldn't abandon her. Not now, not ever.

And so, despite the gnawing uncertainty, Lee made a silent vow to himself and to the woman he'd come to respect and care for. He would stand by her, no matter what the future held. They would face it together.