The question followed her as her eyes drifted closed once more, her head settling against his chest where she could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
It didn't matter, she told herself.
Nothing mattered anymore.
In a handful of hours, all questions would become meaningless, all pain would cease, and all memories would fade into the blessed darkness of mortal ignorance.
She had fought against her fate for decades, clinging to fragments of divine memory while her essence was slowly drained away.
She had endured the systematic destruction of everything she had once been, watching helplessly as her power flowed into the vessel that wore her son's face.
But everyone had limits, even gods.
Even her.
It was time to surrender.
Time to let go of the rage, the pain, and the bitter knowledge that had sustained her through the worst of it.
Time to embrace the peace that awaited beyond the veil of death.
Heaven had won.
Heaven always won.
