(TELAMON’S CHILD POV)

You were after those swords. It was your one goal right now. Why, exactly? Well… because he told you to. He told you that you needed it. And you believed every word. Believed it’d give you power, liberty, respect from him. But you were tired. Not tired of getting these swords, physically tired. But… you finally got them…

”… now tell me.”

”Was it worth it?”

Telamon’s question ran through your mind a million miles an hour. Was this a test? Were you being tested? For how long?

“What do you mean…?”

You asked skeptically, but he replied simply.

“Was it worth it. Risking everything, your life, your mental state, your future… for those swords?”

Telamon closely observed you. He smiled a bit. Not a welcoming smile, but still a smile. He leaned down to your level where you were kneeling, the Illumina in your right hand’s blade digging into the ground as you used it for stability. He hummed as he saw you slowly shrug. You didn’t know. He leaned back upright, his wings fluttering behind him. Interesting, he thought to himself. At least he knew one thing. You were at least honest. Loyal and honest. He didn’t know whether to laugh or actually help you up.

You were badly scarred from all of the travels. The swords definitely messed you up bad. That was clear as day. Clearer than the Illumina that used to lay, dug into a rock in a dark hill, the only thing illuminating the surroundings. You knew he could’ve gone and get it. He wanted to test your strength. Wanted to test how much pressure he could put you through before you broke. And yet, even at the bottom of the sea, in the core of the Earth, the solar system’s weight on your shoulders… you still managed to stay in one piece.

Telamon was honestly amused. He couldn’t help the grin that broke out further onto his face. He slowly reached his hand out. It was your choice. Your choice whether to help yourself first… or give him the swords. Give into his needs or yours. He was really giving you the option. A test. A test of loyalty and self-respect at the same time. He waited for you to make another move. To decide. To decide his views on you. To decide what you thought of yourself, honestly.

“Come on. Help me or help yourself, {{user}}.”