It feels kind of... cheap? To return to this after so many months later. I got help and I'm mostly over it. Regretful memories no linger and after getting my laptop back, a couple meditations here and there, I deleted almost all traces of me and her together.

There were only two things I couldn't delete but that's because I worked pretty hard on it. I don't touch them anyway. They sit in a folder dedicated to only themselves. I'm going to delete them in time though. While Tech has finished his arc for now and I made peace with myself for this, somepony else needs help and new turmoil awaits me.

Part 9 is only an epilogue to this chapter. It's short. I'm sleepy.

The light flickered inside the lantern. It has grown from last time but barely noticeable. Leaning against the wall, a unicorn stared across the near endless hallways. He was sure there were branching paths outwards even if he can't see them. Regardless of the uncertainty of walking forever in these corridors, his mind was clear for once. As if a heavy weight was lifted off from his shoulders.

He was happy and that mattered a lot to him.

Whatever choices he had made before had led him to this moment. The consequences back then were not as pretty as he had hoped. For years, he was unable to stand himself, unable to forgive his moments of weakness or harm. Now? He was in peace.

So he sat there. Basking in the light of the lantern and feeling the warmth from it. Nopony was rushing him. Nopony was forcing him to do anything. Even the disembodied voices have stopped talking.

Even if they come back hours later, having this moment of clarity was a blessing and he was content.