Mikhail's smile deepend, softening yet proud.
It gave the image of a father watching his son take his first steps – even if those steps were heavier than he could handle.
"Come," he said, keeping his voice gentle, lowering his back to the grass.
His old bones practically groaned from the motion.
"Bring the sword."
Alex's limbs felt like they were weighed down by a thousand tonnes, as every step toward Mikhail felt like dragging mountains behind him.
Virtue's Edge seemed to mimic the same sensations, as if it too sensed what was about to come.
He stopped just before Mikhail, staring down at the man who had put him in this very situation, silently guiding the course of his actions until he ended up here this day.
This was the man who had seen the potential in him ever since he had awakened, even if he had never even sensed it or knew about it until today.
