Days passed, and before anyone knew it, a couple of months had passed since Kro'Han's defeat on a day that was now called Glory Day, a day to remember the brave souls who gave their lives away so that others could live in peace.
A monument was being built from the destroyed Precursor ships that had crashed on Earth following the conflict. It was the first decision Ashton made as soon as he woke up from his month-long slumber.
But that was the only time Ashton spoke as their leader after waking up from his unconscious state. Anna and Ava were the only ones he talked with regularly, but even those interactions felt forced and not genuine.
Ashton spent most of his time alone, gazing into the sky as if searching for someone. The heaviness in his eyes spoke of a burden carried in silence, which hadn't gone unnoticed by those around him even though he tried his best to hide it.
One evening, as they watched Ashton from a distance, Ava turned to Anna with concern. "He's been spending a lot of time alone, again?"
Anna nodded, caressing her growing baby bump. "Yeah, he just stares into the sky, lost in his thoughts. I'm worried for him, but it's like he has put up a barrier around him, and this time, even I can't cross it."
"Survivor's guilt, that's what it is," Ava sighed, worried about her son's mental state. "He feels responsible for Astaroth's death and blames himself for it."
Anna nodded as she stared longingly at Ashton's back. "He's struggling but still tries to be there for me and the baby. It's like he's fighting his own battles, but he doesn't want us to worry."
"Like father, like son." Ava smiled wanly. "He loves you, and he loves that little one growing inside you. But it's important to acknowledge that he needs help too."
Ava continued, "Astaroth was a brother to him. Someone who was always by his side, and now that he is gone, it won't be easy for anyone to fill that void inside him."
Anna took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving Ashton's distant form. "I've done everything that I could... showered him with love, made him see the happiness in the eyes of people all around the globe, but I can see it in his eyes. He's hurting, and I don't know how to help him."
"Give him time... he'll bounce back. He always does..."
Days passed, and Ashton's seclusion persisted. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the landscape, Anna approached Ashton as he sat on the balcony, his eyes fixed on the fading light.
"Hey," Anna called out, hugging Ashton from behind.
Ashton glanced at her and smiled, "Hey, beautiful. What can I do for you?"
"Just talk?" Anna replied, nestling herself in Ashton's embrace.
"About?"
"Everything." Anna leaned in, her forehead resting against his shoulder. "I want to know what's going on in that head of yours so I can help."
"You're already doing too much," Ashton replied, planting his lips on her forehead. "Don't worry about it, or the baby will come out worrying about me too."
Ashton joked, trying to squeeze out of the conversation, but the look in Anna's eyes told him it was time to unburden his thoughts with his life companion.
"It's just... everything," Ashton sighed, his gaze returning to the horizon. "Astaroth's death, the destruction, the lives lost. I can't shake the feeling that I should've done more."
Anna turned towards Ashton, her hands cupping his face. "You did everything you could, Ashton. Astaroth made his choice, and it wasn't your fault."
She continued. "I might be selfish for saying this... but I'm glad for what he did. I'm not saying it was the right thing to do, but I don't think I'd have lived this long without you."
Hearing those words, Ashton pulled Anna closer, hugging her tightly. Just the thought of losing her scared the shit out of him and made him realise why Astaroth did what he did.
Anna's words made Ashton realise the meaning behind his parting words. Astaroth said people had gotten used to his absence before; they would get used to it again.
But for Ashton, who had always been there for Anna, Ava and countless others, they might not be able to take Ashton's death as well as those who knew Astaroth.
That's why his brother decided to sacrifice himself. Astaroth didn't forfeit his life for Ashton's sake but for those close to him, and all this time, Ashton thought Astaroth did what he did for him.
'That bastard... thinking about everyone else but us,' Ashton thought as a stray tear rolled over his cheek.
"You don't have to carry this burden alone, Ash," Anna mumbled, wiping Ashton's tears away. "We're a family, and we'll get through this together."
Ashton allowed himself a moment of vulnerability, and the dam holding his emotions shattered. All the tears he had been holding back gushed out of his eyes.
The pain that had numbed him was unleashed, and it became Anna's turn to cradle Ashton.
Weakness and vulnerability are often mistaken to be the same. Ashton, in no way, possessed weakness. Yet, in that particular moment, he displayed vulnerability.
Like numerous triumphant individuals preceding him, he revealed a susceptible side. He wasn't invincible; he wasn't immune to the toll that war exacted.
"I've always been the one to stand strong, to lead," he admitted, his voice carrying the weariness of a battle-weary warrior. "But now, I feel... vulnerable."
Anna reached for his hand, offering a reassuring squeeze. "Strength doesn't mean you must carry it alone, Ashton. Vulnerability is part of being human... or should I say, Mutant."
"Weird, isn't it?" Ashton said, looking up. "This entire time, I have thought I wasn't human anymore and giving into emotions was a weakness, yet here we are."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the battlefield, Ashton let go of the pretence of invincibility, of being strong. He realised embracing vulnerability was also a type of strength. Something that Astaroth had left as a gift for him.