"It's why I've done what I have," she explained. "I chose to sacrifice a few to save an entire world."
"We have the skill and the strategy. You taught me how to build armies and manage campaigns. Why save a world when we can rule them?"
"It was never my intention to rule."
"We will show the worlds the same mercy they showed me. Each life makes me stronger." Xander continued, not hearing her. "I want … I need more, ikira. We can destroy this world and return to yours to rule. Is that not what you wanted?"
He was right. If the immortal world posed a threat to hers now, it might again in the future. She could permanently ensure there was never a chance of such danger. It would only cost her Xander.
Do you remember what he was before you trained him to kill?
Eden watched the pacing predator, admiring the warrior he had turned into while struggling with a new emotion. No, he was more than a weapon. Xander had long ago become her son.
She didn't like the feeling; she didn't believe in attachments, not when she was focused on protecting her world from others. Attachments were vulnerabilities, distractions. Even so, she found herself furious at the idea of anyone hurting him.
No one ever would. No matter what happened this day and the next, Xander was going to be safe.
Eden touched her Oracle magic. It responded, even when it refused to show her the future. With Xander incensed, he wasn't aware of the trickle of power she pushed into the red gem in her hand. His abilities were beyond those of any immortal she knew. He was able to hear thoughts and manipulate minds in addition to brute strength that allowed him to tear men in two with no effort.
He was stronger than she was, had been for quite some time. It never disturbed her before, because he was on the path she needed him to follow.
For the first time in her life, she felt something other than conviction about what she had done. Her adopted son was no longer needed in her world. He fulfilled his purpose, only he was not going to be able to live a normal life in the mortal world like she was. Their ways had to part, because there was no place for her weapon in a civilized society.
Did she cut him free as he was? A menace to the worlds that would destroy then be destroyed?
Does he live or does he die?
Of all the emotions she expected to feel on the day of her great victory, anger and guilt were not among them.