~ [Music Recommendation: "The Heart's Tale" by BigRicePiano (Instrumental only) - available in Youtube] ~ Please listen to it in loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this scene ~

Elliot fell silent.

​​

"In order to protect the majority … we had to sacrifice the minority".

These words echoed in his head.

Was there really no other option?

"My King … in this life, you will be faced by the hardest choices. Choices … that may require sacrifices. I can see that your heart is very much willing to sacrifice your own self but sometimes, it is not ourself that needs to be sacrificed … instead, it will be something … or even someone we hold very dearly. And when that time comes, I hope you make the right decision"

He was reminded again of the words Ignis left him.

Was this the kind of sacrifice he meant?

And as kings … they had no option but to choose?

What was right? What was wrong?

Elliot's resolve was shaken.

Lives were precious … there would be nothing in this world that would be more important than a person's life.

Unless …

It was another's life ...?

In exchange for the safety of many, a few must suffer.

Was this how the Supreme planned it all?

Was this His will? Was this how things were supposed to be?

These thoughts circulated in Elliot's mind as his heart sank and faltered.

But in his weakness and uncertainty, he turned to the Supreme ...

Elliot's silence became a humble prayer in his heart …

He understood now … why the king had to do all those unspeakable things.

It was in no way right but ... what else could they have done?

If you would look at the whole situation, was it not those who became greedy and attacked them first, enslaved them, and tortured them … the one who started it all and therefore the ones to blame?

Yet even them … perhaps had their own reasons like this king before him.

Would it be right to punish the king and make him step down the throne?

Should he atone by dying?

Would it be better to raise another king since he already failed as one?

Or did he really fail?

What was the right path?

And how should this person be judged?

While Elliot prayed, a warm sensation suddenly enveloped his heart … as if the Supreme was speaking directly to his heart. It was a brief moment … but right there and then, he understood what the Supreme's decision was.

Like a lamp unto his feet, it lit up the right path.

"King …," Elliot finally spoke again after a long period of silence. His tightened expression was no more. It was replaced with a soft and gentle … compassionate smile.

The king looked back at Elliot's eyes, ready to listen to his judgement.

"Doesn't deliverance come from the Supreme?" Elliot asked the king, his lips still in a compassionate smile.

The king's eyes widened and his whole body trembled upon hearing him speak. There was this … "Spirit" that seemed to flow from his voice. A Spirit that made him shiver in both coldness and warmth. Coldness from the realization of his sins and warmth from …

"W-what do you mean?" the king replied in a trembling voice.

"The first thing you did wrong was … dwelling on the problem and trying to resolve it on your own when the Supreme had always been there, ready to help you. You only needed to be still and know that He is the Most High and there is nothing He cannot do".

"Y-yes, that's right! I was blinded and caused many women to die! I know that … that's why I've been preparing myself for the punishment that awaits me. Because what I did was -," the king gulped and unconsciously, tears fell from his eyes. For some reason, he found himself crying before Elliot, and confessing the things his heart had been carrying all those years he felt guilty and helpless. He always knew he was wrong. He always knew he should have stopped and maybe had more faith. But it was too late for him. His hands were already tainted by the blood of his people - people he willingly sacrificed. "I should … sniff … I should -"

"- You should change your ways," Elliot continued for him.

The king was bewildered.

"S-shouldn't you be saying that I … I should die to atone for my sins?!" His voice grew louder and jolted up from his seat. "Why are you speaking as if ...".

"Yes, the Supreme wants to forgive you".

At these words, the king fell on his knees to the floor. His face wretched as he held tightly on his chest where his heart shattered into pieces. Like a little child, he sobbed and wailed and cried at the top of his lungs.

"Why? Why forgive someone as bad as me?" the king asked the Supreme in his heart. "Why be merciful and give me another chance? He should just -"

Despite not hearing his questions, Elliot answered him.

"The Supreme loves you, just as He loves all of his children. And that love will never change no matter how many flaws we have. He will never abandon us nor forsake us. And His love is greater than any sin".

The king's cries grew louder.

"But do not mistake that just because He loves us, we can just do anything, always be forgiven, and get away with everything. He will deliver justice to all those innocent lives. But as for you, if you change your ways, so will your destiny be".

Elliot walked towards the crying king and patted his head.

"This is the freedom He gives you: confess your sins and be free, change your ways, and start believing again".

~ [Music Recommendation: "How Can It Be" by Lauren Daigle (instrumental version) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please switch to this song and listen to it in loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

"WAAAAAA … hu hu hu hu," the king wailed with all his might.

Everyday he would harden his heart thinking it was all for the people but deep in his heart, there was no day he did not condemn himself for everything. For he knew he was wrong. He resolved himself to just take responsibility for everything if it meant the safety of the majority. How he waited for the day of his judgement, of his punishment.

And now that day came, instead of punishment …

He received mercy and forgiveness.

What love was this?

Like a real Father … disciplining but not abandoning …

Looking past a multitude of sins and flaws …

Despite how dirty and shameful he had become …

To still be accepted … the king couldn't believe it.

And even setting him free from the guilt and resentment he chained himself with for many years ...

Breaking his chains, and giving him a chance to change …

To abandon his old self and live anew ...

Such amazing grace …

Such deep mercy …

Such relentless love …

This was not something he deserved, yet he was given.

How could he have been so blind all those years?

When all he needed was … to believe?

When Elliot patted the king's head, the king felt something warm covering his whole body … as if embracing him. Was it the Supreme's Spirit? Yes … it was. And how very warm and loving it was. So many billions of people in the world … yet the Supreme took notice of him and forgave him.

Elliot on the other hand, noticed the king's heart changing. Those things he saw before were now gone. Now like clear water, the king's heart was cleansed. Seeing this, he smiled to himself, amazed once again by the awesomeness of the Supreme.

"So this is the Supreme's will … His judgement, His righteousness," Elliot concluded in his mind. "At the end of the day, He's still … a loving Father". He turned his head towards the large windows, suddenly curious. "Hmm … I wonder what happens after this? How did the Supreme help them after the king changed his ways?" he asked himself.

Drawn by the beautiful rising sun, Elliot stood up and walked towards the window. From there, he noticed how high they were from the grounds and how big the city truly was. There were gigantic walls all around the kingdom. Though subtle, there was also a barrier covering them in all directions with its spiritual energy coming from the towers within the walls. At the very far end, almost a horizon away, was the City Gate, blurred by the light of the sun.

"Huh?" Elliot narrowed his eyes for he saw a sudden silhouette coming inside the City Gate. Though he didn't see clearly who it was, he somehow felt a certain familiarity. He waited for the sun to be fully up to feed his curiosity.

And there he was, coming from the light of the sun, walking inside the city, along with two women on his left, and a man on his right. His pure white hair caught Elliot's attention.

Realizing who he was, now all grown up and probably as tall as him, Elliot let out a chuckle.

"Your highness," Elliot called from the windows. He then turned around to face the king who was now wiping his tears.

The king stood up and gave him his full attention.

"Cheer up," he said, "Dawn is near".