He shot forward, clasping my cheeks. Say it again.Say what? I replied, gripping his wrists. I said a lot of things. Help me out here.Say that I'm not just the Apollyon, he whispered, his voice harsh.Tears built in my throat. You're not just the Apollyon, Seth.His eyes drifted shut, his face tensed as his fingers splayed across my cheeks. I don't even know who I am anymore. Or what I ever was.Oh goodness, that ripped right through my chest. You're just...you're just Seth.A tremor moved through his arms. And you...you're just my salvation.
In this emotional excerpt from "The Return" by Jennifer L. Armentrout, a character named Seth struggles with his identity, feeling lost and defined solely by his role as the Apollyon. He seeks reassurance from the narrator, pleading for her to remind him that he is more than just this title. The tension in their interaction reveals the depth of his despair and desire for connection, highlighting the struggle between personal worth and external labels.
The narrator, feeling the weight of his request, acknowledges Seth's pain and affirms his true identity as simply being Seth. This moment is profound, as it encapsulates the theme of searching for self amidst chaos and the importance of love as a source of salvation. Their exchange emphasizes the power of personal connections in overcoming feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty, making their relationship deeply significant.