Ashes

Ragnar sighed and gestured again for Arthur to sit. "The greatest mistake I made, Arthur, was believing that wrath alone could change the world. That it was the answer to all suffering and oppression. But wrath is a fire that burns until it leaves nothing behind."

Reluctantly, Arthur lowered himself onto the stone steps near the pond, the chill seeping into his bones. His eyes never left Ragnar, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. "You think that kindness will help me defeat Devaheim? That mercy and compassion can stand against their power?"

Ragnar's smile widened slightly, as if Arthur's question was expected. "Not kindness alone. But if you rely only on wrath, then you will repeat my mistakes and be consumed as I was. The gods will use your rage against you, just as they did to me.