(I don't know why no one's doing anything, these are pretty good)
Redemption
Seleane's face was passive. "It doesn't matter anyway. It's too late. I've done too much."
Chimera shook her head strongly. "It doesn't have to be. Stop denying yourself. You know you're not who they tried to make you into, you always knew that. The only reason you didn't stop was because of them. You can change everything, every single thing you've done, if you just face yourself."
"I killed people. I murdered them. I murdered millions of people - I burned them, I drowned them, I cut off their heads, I ran them through with swords, I swung them off cliffs, I starved them in the sun, I hung their corpses under our Tree, Chimera. Tell me, can anything atone for that? Anything under the sun?"
Chimera did not look away. "I don't have to tell you because you know already. Anything with the power to hurt has the power to heal."
"I think you are wrong, Chimera," Selane said. His voice dropped just a fraction. "I think no one could forgive me. I am a monster, and everyone knows."
"Look at me, my fool," Chimera said quietly. "Look at my feet, my tail, my claws, my ears, my fangs. One at a time. They belong to beasts. But now, look at me as a whole. I know you don't see a monster. You see me. If you focus on each of your actions, they also seem to have been done by a monster. But you need to step back, Seleane, and see through your eyes, not theirs. You are only a hurt, scared boy. I am only a lonely, rejected girl. We acted like such. I forgive you, but you need to forgive yourself."
"I don't know how. I don't know how." Seleane sat down, face still emotionless. The crystyl burned softly behind them, outlining the dark elf's pointed ears and the chimera's long nose with pale blue. "Can one single spell cast off the gilt of thousands of other spells? It can't be that simple!" He buried his head in his hands.
Chimera slunk to his side. "It's not a spell. It's a cry for forgiveness."
Seleane did not seem to hear her. He stood up abruptly and moved toward the crystyl. His hand reached out and cupped it gently, dimly reflected in his solid black eyes. His lips parted, haltingly whispering his plea.
"It's redemption."
