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                                 Pain. Fear. Despair. Agony.

                                 I feel all these things as I feel my core energy burning, as if the hand you grip me with
                                 is covered in flames. My energy is draining, pulled from my body as if a black hole has
                                 formed. I know what it is to be dying and yet not to die...

                                 Oh, my child, what demon has possessed you? What has caused you to destroy fellow
                                 Taelons for your own survival—and know that if it was discovered, all would be for
                                 nothing?

                                 I begin to falter from the pain and my growing lack of energy. And I feel your free hand
                                 holding me upright. I cling to you as if you are my lifeline, rather than a potential
                                 death...

                                 You did truly believe that I would hand you to the Synod for death. Have you no
                                 understanding of the love I feel for you? You never had a child, and so cannot
                                 understand... why I would never willingly give you to death.

                                 My pain is growing, a great burning star that threatens to engulf me. With all the
                                 strength I can muster, I shield you from my pain—you will take what you need from
                                 me...

                                 I think that T'than did not feel this way. His life was ripped from him—I give my
                                 life-force freely. And just as soon, you stop. Your life-force is replenished, your needs
                                 sated...

                                 As you pull your hand from my chest, I slowly crumple forward, my strength gone. But I
                                 feel your arms encircle me and hold me tightly, sinking with me as I fall and keeping
                                 me from striking the floor. Though my mind is fading into unconsciousness, exhausted, I
                                 see you smiling.

                                 And for the moment, there is no Synod, no Commonality. There is only the two of us,
                                 clinging together in the knowledge that I love you, my child.

                                 You do not let me go in the hours that pass, cradling my body and mind as I once did
                                 for you... And when I finally awaken, still weakened, I find that you cling to me still.

                                 I love you, my child...