I am your child
Rezo Akahoushi, legendary Red Priest, sat in his own personal Hell. His deep indigo eyes had no focus; even though he had gained sight, there was nothing for him to see. Nothing, save for himself, the darkness, and him.
Wherever you go, you take me too
He couldn't remember the last time they had been in each other's company. It could have been days, months, or years. There was even the possibility of centuries... But, as always, he had found him. He had always followed. Why should this have been any different?
Because I was wrong...
Whatever I know, I learned from you
"What are you doing here?" Rezo had asked when he suddenly appeared in the Red Priest's purgatory. "How did you condemn yourself?"
"I learned from the best," he had replied coolly, cryptically. Detached, he gestured to the priest.
Whatever I do, you taught me to do
The sage paled as he went on. "I followed in your footsteps, and grew up to be just like you. Just as I promised I would when I was younger."
"Just like me?" the once holy man looked mortified. "You did as I did?!"
I am your child
"I learned from the best," he repeated, never looking away. "You were my idol, after all."
"You saw the mistakes I made, experienced the pain I caused, and still you did as I did?!"
"I am your child."
I am your child
"Did you not learn anything from all the pain my cruelty caused you?!" Rezo was on the verge of tears, the chains on his soul gaining weight with every passing moment.
"I learned that release form the pain is worth any price," he said. "You taught me this."
And I am your chance
"Why.... Why are you doing this?"
"I am here to test you, Rezo." For that voice to speak his name with such contempt made the wise man's heart ache. "Succeed, and be free to move on, fail, and suffer eternally."
Whatever will come, will come from me
"You are judge, jury, and executioner, then?" The one-time priest had to remind himself not to cry. This was not the boy he once knew. This man was a shadow... a shadow of a long ago past.
"I was here, anyway," he replied. "I am the prosecutor."
Tomorrow is won by winning me
"What have you done for the world, Red Priest?" Convince Ceipheed that you've done good. Convince him that you deserve redemption." Convince me, remained unsaid, but Rezo know that's what should have been uttered.
Whatever I am, you taught me to be
"I've... healed thousands, given hundreds sight..." he murmured, trying to think without remembering that one day that his presence brought to mind.
"You've killed twice that many in your selfish attempt to gain your sight."
I am your hope
"I cannot deny that accusation." Rezo sighed. "I can only regret it's truth."
"Very well." He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath before opening them again. "What is it that you regret most, Red Priest? Answer according to your heart, not mine."
I am your chance
"Honestly? My regret is my blindness. My obsession caused so much pain that I didn't see until it was too late... Disasters that could have been prevented..."
"There is one last question."
I am your child
"Wait! You're not upset? Because my regret was not... you know..." The former priest looked confused. The other shook his head 'no'.
"It is no longer my right to be upset. "He explained. "I am neither judge nor jury."
Whatever will come
"I understand." Rezo nodded solemnly. "Continue the test, if you will."
"The final question," he spoke quietly, "is this; What is it that you miss the most?"
The condemned man remained silent.
Will come from me
"Rezo?"
"Zelgadis..."
"What?" Confusion flickered in the cerulean eyes that studied the priest.
Tomorrow is won
"I miss Zelgadis."
"What do you mean? I don't understand... I - " he protested, but Rezo shook his head.
"I miss the old Zelgadis," he explained. "I miss the loving and trusting child that I so foolishly destroyed."
By winning me
"Rezo..."
"Please, Zelgadis, just one last time, call me grandfather? I know I destroyed your life and made you suffer so greatly, I could hear you curse my name so very often... but it would give me strength to face my hell for all eternity if you called me... one... last time..."
Whatever I am
"I'm sorry." Sapphire eyes closed, and for the first time the Red Priest could remember, he turned away.
"I understand..." Disheartened, the sage put his head in his hands and tightly closed his eyes as well. "What I did was unforgivable... all my mistakes were unforgivable sins. It's my fault... it always was..."
You taught me to be
"Leave." He growled, causing the priest to look up in surprise.
"What?" Rezo blinked.
"Heaven, Hell, reincarnation, I don't care!" He cried. "Just go! You're free now!"
I am your hope.
"How... what... why...?"
"You've suffered enough. You were forgiven, Red Priest. Someone has come to take your guilt from you. You are forgiven!"
Hope
"You... forgave me?" Rezo's tears halted. "Who... who's taken my burden as their own?" His silence was all the answer that was needed. The former priest could feel the strong pulling of the beyond, but he ignored it to wait with him.
I am your chance
"You?" The deceased holy man's voice cracked and became hoarse. "You did that for me? You forgave me and... are going to..." Tears refreshed the salty trails down his face as the sage threw his arms around his shoulders, clasping tightly.
Chance
"I won't let you!" He yelled. "I won't let you suffer for my sins anymore! It was my fault, I won't be redeemed by your condemnation!"
"It was too late for me, anyway." He whispered. "Let me go. Just let me go, grandfather."
I am your child
Rezo's eyes were wide in horror as the terrible reality sunk in, even with the heavy tugging of the thereafter on his soul. "I led you to this..."
"But I shouldn't have followed." Zelgadis pushed his grandfather away.
I
"Zelgadis!" Rezo screamed as he was pulled into the next life. The young man sitting in the empty dark cell smiled sadly, knowing that although it took centuries of bitterness and pain, his once-hated mentor was saved.
Am
"Zelgadis..." the forlorn echo rang in his ears, the human ears that cost him hard earned friendships and forgotten trust.
"Goodbye, grandfather." He whispered. No matter how much I hated you... I still loved you.
Your
I love you enough to take on your Hell... but I don't regret it. Blue eyes closed to trap tears. 'No, I won't regret this decision, because I deserve this now. Because I saw your mistakes, and made them my own. Because I am your child, and I love you.'
Child
"I love you, grandfather." Zelgadis allowed two tears to stream down his face. "I love you!" And as he sat alone in the hell of two men, white light began to trickle into his cell, calling him out as forgiven...