"With the blessed power I just bestowed upon you," he said, like it was a simple equation to solve. "You've been through a lot, Finnick. With each heartbreaking reality, you've fought against the darkness within and aimed toward the path of light. It was only a matter of time before you were rewarded, and well...that's why I'm here. Your faith may have wavered from time to time, but you never allowed the bad to consume the good in you. That's a form of strength very few have and it's about time you're given the role you've been destined to carry."
"What happens now?" I whispered. "I...we just finished the exam and I'm sleeping."
"That you are," he said with a calm voice. "What happens when you wake up is up to you. The blessed gifts I've transferred to you will remain there until they're ready to be used. You may not know what you can specifically do that's different than your regular potential, but listen to the whispers of the wind. They will guide you and reveal all you need to prosper during this last year of school."
"Where will you go?"
"To the same place where Mom and Dad are." His confliction was obvious now, his eyes actually filling with tears as he fought to compose himself. "My purpose this time around was to make sure this seat of power was still nice and warm for the next owner."
"Brother."
He pulled me into a hug, the action tight and loving, like the ones he'd give me as a child. He patted my back and stated, "Every time you called my name, I was there. Watching, talking, and comforting you. I know you couldn't see, hear, or feel my company, but I was always there. It won't change now. The only difference is that Mom and Dad will be there, too. We'll get to watch you continue to grow and aspire to who you’re destined to become. To witness the change you'll bring to this world and the universes that are blessed to have your sacred guidance. It makes no sense now, but trust me. One day, it will."
He pulled back and ruffled my hair. "Pink's a good color for you, too."
"You're tempting me to do green again," I muttered through sobs. "Can't...can't I have something from you? Something that will always remind me of this dream...this moment in time?"
He seemed to think about it and reached back for his golden bow. He moved back just a little bit before placing it into my outstretched hands.
"This is something that helped me protect these lands," he declared with pride as his eyes stared down at the golden weapon with longing. "I'm sure you'll be able to put it to better use as you protect the people you hold dear to your heart.
"Flynn." My fear was obvious in my voice, but he reached out to ruffle my hair one more time and said, "I'm very proud of you, Finnick. You've overcome everything that has been thrown at you. The shadows of death that wished to pull you down each time you were urged to end it all on the bridge."
"You...saw?"
"Yup." His obvious sadness made my heart clench, but he moved his hand from my hair to tap my cheek. "Each time I begged for you to get a pinch of courage to continue life, you'd smile, bow your head, and take a deep inhale. You'd lift your head up to view the sky, no matter if it was the sunrise or the starry sky. You'd change your mind and decide to live another day by trying again, and each time, I stood there with pride. I watched you walk away with tears streaming down my face because I knew you'd conquered another hard day."
He let go of me and took three steps back, allowing me to see his whole image as droplets of water continued to roll down his cheeks. Even his sadness was still a form of beauty, and I took in that exact image - absorbing every shade in hopes of drawing a replica upon a blank canvas at a later moment.
"There's the gift that burns within you," Flynn praised as his smile lit up his entire face. "The sights that bring out the best motives, both good and bad. Let it push out of the depths of your heart and onto the canvas that screams to be filled with color."
He paused and looked up to the sky, and I noticed the shining