There are others from my world here. [ She would know. She's met at least a few of them, to his knowledge. ] They come from my past; none, my future.

[ And he sees it: the seeds of dissatisfaction that place their Star at risk. Compassion can save the person in front of them, but it won't drive the darkness away. Thinking about what could or should have been will only create a bitter distraction, helping nobody. So long as no alternative exists, there's only one path to follow, no matter the pains. ]

But a king pushes onward. [ His gaze drops to the foot of the altar. ] I will not ask for their forgiveness.

[ He can't. And if they condemn him, that's just fair. ]