I think it's inherently part of the Shepherd. If I had a choice, I wouldn't have continued it, but... the legend survived despite everything. Somehow it's lasted longer than even belief in the Empyreans. But one person shouldn't have to bear the pain of the entire world. One person can't make a decision on behalf of everyone else. That's why I thought if I had multiple Shepherds, it would be alright... But as faith in the malakhim and the Empyreans dwindled, the amount of Shepherds did as well.

Michael was one of the few who could still hear me. He reminded me a lot of the first Shepherd, or what he could have been. I wanted to believe it could all work out this time. I thought maybe he could be happy in that village... with his family. But it was those same feelings that led him astray.

Ah, I don't mean that those feelings were a bad thing! It's just... I was probably too hopeful to realize that history was repeating itself.

But I also don't think you would've followed in his footsteps, Sorey. There was a small chance, yes, but because you had your friends at your side you were able to save me. What's that thing Lailah used to say? About regrets and all that? Whenever you tried to close yourself off or wallow in the past, your friends were there to stop you. They believed in you and you believed in them. And I think that's your real power!