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Rather, he’d always thought of it as what people meant when they talked about one’s “conscience.” A guiding principle, of sorts. Something that seemed to have a life of its own.

But if that were the case, then wouldn’t that mean that Avar truly was a benevolent force? That Avar had been quietly helping him discern right from wrong his whole life?

Mm.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

Jackson was too skeptical, though. The more he thought about it, the more he was realizing that the simple truth of the matter here was that he did not trust Avar. Judging from both the folk tales of the Fire God and from Avar’s own admissions to him, it was clear that Avar’s past incarnations were very flawed beings.

And sure, perhaps that had been the human half corrupting the godly half, but wasn’t it equally possible that Avar himself was the problem? He was the only common denominator, after all.

And ultimately, that was why Jackson was so resistant. It wasn’t just about holding onto his own sense of self. It was about ensuring that he did not become some new, tyrannical incarnation.

Because he knew that he could. That was absolutely possible. And he would’ve been an utter fool to think otherwise, to think he was too strong of character or noble of heart to ever allow himself to go down that path.

Hell, even without someone threatening to meld minds with him, the temptation to tyranny was plenty strong enough.

That was a lesson he’d thankfully learned relatively early in his career as a Vanguardian. Sermung had made sure to impress it upon him over the course of many lectures and elaborate field studies.

“Above all, we must refuse the call to conquer,” said the Crystal Titan, once upon a time. “Down that road lies all manner of sweet songs and alluring rationalizations. Appeals to reason. Appeals to emotion. Appeals to ego. Appeals to simplicity. To tradition, even. But that is not us. We are defenders. We are the ones who stand against the conquerors and tell them that the world is not theirs. And if ever we forget that, then it will only be a matter of time until we become our own worst enemy.”

Jackson believed that sentiment wholeheartedly. Believed in its importance. And in its reality.

Over the course of his life, there had been many times when he’d felt the exact “call” that Sermung had been referring to. The temptation to just... solve everything himself.