โ somebody else came through earlier. you should have seen the look on my face when it wasnโt you! โ
โ letโs forgive each other and forget, go back to how things used to be? โ
โ right now i wouldnโt talk to me if i were you. โ
โ iโll have to pick up the pieces somehow, and figure out how to get on with my existence. โ
โ we have caused such violence in the intervening time, that we must take this as a real victory. โ
โ the only one responsible for all of this is you. and i thought even you would have understood that by now. โ
โ what is it with you gods talking behind the backs of all your friends? โ
โ the world you seek out thereโฆitโs even crueler than the one you know. โ
โ look, i donโt hold grudges, you know that. โ
โ i didnโt mean to lose my temper with you. โ
โ the fates are pretty mean to keep on doing this to you. โ
โ i hardly think this is the time or place to indulge your overwrought imagination. โ
โ for our sparring practice, thereโs no teacher than the real thing. โ
โ they say a lot of things about me; and theyโll tell you, ample caution is in order. โ
โ either your limitless power has considerably waned, are you are up to something. โ
โ i risked everything by helping you out there. โ
โ my voice is nothing but the crunch of gravel underfoot compared to yours, which soars as though on wings. โ
โ is clinging to a memory what keeps the soul from fading? โ
โ donโt know what it is about you, but i feel like i can be me with you, you know? โ
โ war, much like the heavens and the sea, can be considered as a force of nature. โ
โ if you know that you could only see me for but a momentโs timeโฆwould you still make the journey for me? โ
โ i, too, wish for a lot of things. unfortunately thereโs no unraveling the fatesโ patterns. โ
โ i left when it was necessary. i thought of you and hoped youโd understand. โ
โ all of which you think you have achieved was merely handed to you. โ ย ย
โ the past me, itโs as thoughโฆit wasnโt even me. this is me, now. โ
โ in war, one must take sides, and you had best choose mine. โ
โ i do not act by whim or by mistake. โ
โ we can learn from our mistakes or we can keep repeating them. โ ย ย
โ thereโs nothing you can do to hurt me. โ ย ย
โ soon doubtless itโll be your portrait hanging on that wall back there. โ
โ just donโt go starting any wars you donโt intend to finish. โ
โ you do something for me, in the meantime: donโt give in to what youโre feeling now. โ
โ it is not often i attempt to kill someone and they survive. bravo! โ
โ why does the soul remain, after the body bleeds, and dies, and turns to ash? โ
โ all gods and goddesses are to be feared. โ
โ what more could i have even done? could i have swayed you, in any other way? โ
โ i tried, with all my might, with all my heart, you must know that, and still, it never was enough. โ
โ iโm pleased to see your fatherโs stubbornness is manifest in you as such determination. โ
โ iโm really starting to hate you. you know that? โ
โ iโm with you every step. then i will probably ignore you like the rest. just warning you ahead of time. โ
โ use caution with the tone you take with me. โ
โ if you have any sense remaining in that head of yours, i caution you not to discuss this here and now. โ
โ you saw something in me i never knew was there. in turn, with you, i feltโฆ.calm. whole. โ
โ i only know that i was filled with rage. โ
โ the fates decided this for us, i guess, and soโฆwho are we to complain? โ
โ i pray the fates not ruin all your dreams as they did mine. โ
โ whatโs the worst that could happen? โ
โ they left their mark upon the world. shall you? โ
โ your mockery of me may temporarily embolden you, but achieves nothing useful in the end. โ
โ what exactly is it that makes you feel entitled to show me such disrespect? โ
โ iโve got to admit, you are really frustrating, you know? โ
โ i seem to have this whole โeasy-to-underestimateโ thing about me. โ
โ you seem a little quieter than usual. dare i even say a little somber and remorseful, for some reason? โ
โ keep following that heart of yours. itโs good enough a guide, believe me. โ
โ you always seem in good spirits, though. โ
โ a loving heart is a forgiving heart. โ
โ just in case it hasnโt been made clear as crystal lately, let me tell you: when presented with the opportunity, donโt ever reject me. โ
โ you know, i got to say i had a few concerns when we first met, your father being who he is and all. โ
โ i like it when my prey bites back. โ
โ youโd best not take for granted my affection yes, iโve lots of it to go around; but i can just as easily rescind such privileges. โ
โ donโt be messing with my feelings. my loyaltyโs hard-won and quickly lost. โ
โ the truth is iโm a lover, not a fighter. โ
โ you truly take me to the best of places. โ
โ death shall come. either to your enemies, or you. โ
โ a mortalโs life is short, and fraught with pain; is that truly the life you yearn for? โ
โ you think you are superior to me? you are a fool. โ
โ i grow angry merely thinking of your situation. โ
โ i wanted to apologize for when i pried about your past. โ
โ nobody gets out of here, whether alive or dead. you think i jest? you think i havenโt tried? โ
โ they got me, finally, of course. but not before i broke them first. โ
โ you are immortal, but in a manner, you can die. โ
โ you have a lot of nerve โ but little else. โ
โ youโre either naive or youโre much too kind, or both. โ
โ despite whatever difficulties youโve encountered, again and again, you have never yielded. โ
โ though, that war? donโt ask me about it again. all right? โ
โ you may not make your father very proud, but it is just the opposite with me. โ
โ even iโm beginning to fear you, i think. seems i donโt know you as well as i thought. โ
โ you have a worried look about you. spare me your thoughts? โ
โ names are there to be forgotten. โ
โ you honor meโฆi have done nothing to deserve this. โ
โ oh, how i hate to fight with you like this! โ
โ follow your heart? thatโs odd advice, especially from you. โ
โ the fear of death keeps mortals well in check. youโd best learn to fear something yourself. โ
โ you are going to get me in a heap of trouble before all is said and done. โ
โ iโll hear no more such wicked lies, half-truths, or quarter-truths. โ
โ well, if you wonโt say it, iโll say it. good-bye. โ
โ i know of no one, nothing stronger, other than the love we share. โ
โ iโve some memories iโm not quite ready to give up on, yet. โ
โ you seem less warlike than the rest. โ
โ i am unmade, unwhole, here in this place, alone. โ
โ my past is not really worth mentioning. โ
โ you sound a little tongue-tied. just like you always used to around me. โ ย ย
โ you should be ashamed of yourself, and learn your place. โ
โ this look like a shoulder to cry on to you? โ
โ โฆyou know who you sound like right now, donโt you? i canโt believe this. โ ย ย
โ i think, deep down, you are still that inexperienced little godling that you used to be. โ ย ย
โ i always had doubts the gods were listening. that they could even hear. โ
โ i was just checking up on you, justโฆlet me know if you wanted to talk, for any reason. โ
โ if thereโs one thing i know, itโs that the three fates always get their way. โ
โ hey, youโre not alone. youโre not alone, ok? โ
โ youโre not exactly easy to approach, you know. โ ย ย ย ย ย
โ i grieve for you, my friend. โ
โ are you lecturing me about healthy relationships with family? your family is the most broken and corrupted in the history of the entire concept. โ
โ you think you can just walk away from me? โ
โ how about it, then? care for a drink, with me? โ ย ย
โ you are entirely too young to have had meaningful experience with loss. โ
โ something the matter, there? or have you come to torment me some more with idle chat? โ
โ you will find me waiting for you once you get here. every single time. โ
โ men worship ares willingly; they are so much like him. โ
โ while loveโs the force that brought me and countless otherโs low in life, it also brought me and countless others strength. โ
โ beware the narrow distance between hastiness and swiftness. โ
โ a crashing wave or thundering tempest are nothing to a broken heart. โ
โ think back on when you started all of this. you now know so much more. are capable of so much more. โ
โ as ever, you think only of yourself. โ
โ this is where you belong. you feel out of place? where would you even go? your place is here. โ
โ your path is yours to shape as you see fit, regardless of the fatesโ design. โ
โ youโre no god! youโre nothing but a piece of trash, born into all of this. โ
โ you seem to have me all figured out. and here i thought we were still getting to know each other. โ
โ leave me be, and donโt think youโre going to be so lucky next time we meet out there. โ
โ you have the tendency to ask too many questions. โ
โ i smell the blood on you. you are severely wounded. โ
โ donโt be messing with my feelings there. my trust is hard-won and quickly lost. โ
โ if you wish to test the fine relationship weโve built, why then, i can confirm youโre testing it, all right. โ
โ donโt ever take me for some thoughtless nymph to be manipulated. โ
โ donโt get on my fatherโs bad side like that and youโre going to be fine. โ
โ howโs your endless toil treating you? โ
โ iโd never trade my bow for all that pomp and armor. but, to each their own. โ
โ let me see you now for what you truly are. โ
โ was i deceived, in thinking this of you, of us? โ
โ i get what i want around here. โ
โ donโt you dare look at my like that. โ
โ life isnโt particularly fair. iโd have expected you to know as much. โ
โ iโm leaving. try and stop me. โ
โ when i inevitably, inadvertently trample all over your feelings at some point, please tell me, all right? โ
โ you donโt even know who i am. who i was. โ
โ wonโt you come back to me? when you are able, please. come back. i shall be waiting here, however long it takes. โ
โ never met a god that bleeds like you. red. like a worthless mortal. โ
โ i got to hanf it to you. you donโt back down. you donโt ever back down. โ
โ iโve a tip for you: donโt be slow! โ
โ iโฆfeel awful. iโฆi have to go. โ
โ once people set their minds to certain things, it can be difficult to show them other possibilites exist. โ
โ thereโs something that iโve wished to tell you: thereโs no shame in your upbringing. โ
โ i have known too many far too proud to accept help, even when it was sorely needed. โ
โ may you yet come to your senses. โ
โ you canโt be serious. youโre going to pretend as though it never happened? โ
โ seems iโm left to thanking myself, since youโre too proud to do it. โ
โ fight like iโd fight out there. โ
โ you left, without so much as telling me good-bye. โ
โ youโve such weak blood, and such a temperamentโฆ โ
โ i am very, very sure i havenโt murdered anyone. โ
โ i am truly blessed simply to have made your acquantince. โ
โ you wish to take advantage of my pity? โ
โ it comforts me to see how far youโve come. โ
โ iโve always wanted to kill a god. youโll have to do. โ
โ you donโt have to give me something in return, it was a gift! โ
โ you know iโd take you if i could. โ
โ who might you be, wandering all the way out here? youโre trespassing on private property, you know. โ
โ really, youโre kicking me out? why? โ
โ youโre funny, but youโll break. they always do. โ
โ you must think that i abandoned you. you think i had a choice?โ
โ youโre stuck with me forever. remember that. โ
โ you know these heroes by their deeds, not by their character. โ
โ some would question the destruction which you sow, but i shall never do so. i fully understand your impulses. โ
โ youโre quite effective at locating me, but not so good at leaving me in peace. โ
โ you donโt need me & i donโt need you. โ
โ you lived through all that? โ
โ my heart soars, knowing you live. then it breaks, that our time together was so brief. โ
โ youโve only me. and i have only you. โ
โ sulk in your chambers all you like, for i care not. โ
โ where did you goโฆ? what did you doโฆ? โ
โ monster! you have no bearing, grace or courage! โ
โ youโre beneath the notice of the gods. i have earned their favor. โ
โ your youth provides you with a certain mindless strength. โ
โ wait. i donโt think i owe you any favors, here. โ
โ you appear to have grown stronger since when last we interacted. โ
โ pleaseโฆit was never my wish to hurt you. โ
โ death is your only family. โ
โ i too was born of darkness, but i chose the path of light. โ
โ donโt know how come everybody doesnโt sing. lightens the mood, passes the time. whatโs not to like? โ
โ you come from the bowels of hell. this is not your place. โ
โ heroes? mere mortals, same as all the rest. โ
โ offend me, and iโll drain the last traces of colour from your cheeks. โ
โ punishment is not the path to rehabilitation. โ
โ youโre nothing like your father. i mean that as a compliment. โ
โ i just hope that their intentions are as pure as they appear. โ
โ donโt be sad, pretty much everybody dies sometime. โ
โ iโve done some things that maybe arenโt great. โ
โ actions beat intentions. โ
โ my fits of anger come and go just like the tides. โ
โ you know, iโd rather have my eyes put out, but thanks for offering! โ ย ย
โ you will need to face your fears someday. โ
โ true wisdom only comes with age. โ
โ something has stirred within your heart. i can always tell. โ
โ orโฆwaitโฆwhat is this, did you just ask me out? โ
โ iโm getting awful sick of seeing your smug face, time, after time, after time. โ
โ your humility is matched only by your perseverance in the face of adversity. โ
โ your stubborness shall only bring you pain. โ
โ sometimes, our hearts become so full that they could burst. if only you could see how much i care. โ
โ wait, youโre not serious. that famous sense of humor shining through. โ
โ iโm surrounded by my family, but i always feel alone. โ
โ i shall make myself quite clear in one respect: i fear i have a lack of patience for discussion. โ
โ thought i might find you all the way out here. although, quite frankly, iโm surprised youโre still alive. โ
โ absolute silence is my general preference. it may not be yours. โ
โ i just like to see you menacingly smile. โ
โ donโt tell anyone about this, understand?ย โ
โ i told you i donโt need your help. โ
โ youโre much too modest for someone with such a number of heroic deeds to their name. โ
โ if anybody asks, weโre even. โ
โ we had a lovely time getting to know each other. we laughed, we cried! โ
โ whatโs the matter, you gone soft or something? โ
โ be sure to add those to the list of words youโll eat someday. โ
โ you know iโd do just about anything to aid you. โ
โ you again. i told you to stay clear of me. โ
โ in spite of all your efforts, it is probably the case that you still have a long and painful road ahead. โ
โ youโve always cared for me. i canโt ever repay you for that. โ
โ i just thought iโd say, that was well fought back there. โ
โ hush, itโs the god of trash, come once again to filthy up this place. โ
โ changed your mind yet, or looking for more pain and suffering? โ
โ maybe get some sleep or something? you look pretty beat. โ
โ look, iโve got a reputation to uphold.ย โ
โ your fatherโs quite the big shot around here, but that means nothing to me, understand? โ
โ you donโt have what it takes. nobody does. โ
โ thereโs no returning to the way things used to be. โ
โ can i offer you some words of advice? get over yourself. โ
โ fear is for the weak. โ
โ you now what i like about you? the way you bleed. โ
โ may all the death you bring become the stuff of legends told in fearful mortal whisperings around the world. โ
โ i just happen to think you deserve better than youโve got. โ
โ no love without pain. โ
โ you know what? i think weโre finished here. โ
โ i know youโre not in a good spot right now. โ
โ what youโre attempting is impossible. โ
โ iโm not your practice partner, fool. โ
โ first you defy me openly, and now you lie. โ
โ admit it. you canโt stop thinking about me. โ
โ maybe this might numb the pain a bit. โ
โ somethingโs troubled me a little, about you. โ
โ your failure is quite easily imagined. how often it recurs! โ
โ found this, thought of you and all that, soโฆhere. โ
โ how i love these unexpected little run-ins with you. โ
โ what brings you back around this way again? โ
โ now whatโs the matter? itโs like youโve been up feasting day and night, youโre barely standing, everything ok? โ
โ if it wasnโt you proposing it, iโd like to call it madness. โ
โ iโll sleep when iโm dead. โ
โ you must see plainly, then, what your birthright amounts to: youโre no better off than any of us here. โ
โ iโll do my best. for both our sakes. โ
โ the world is not all lies and deceit as you make it out to be. โ
โ you fight so desperately. at first i thought you simply lacked in patience. but now i see itโs urgency that drives you. โ
โ you donโt know who or what youโre dealing with. โ
โ who are you to judge, you misbegotten, shameful, unfilial maggot? โ
โ youโre getting real predictable, you know. โ
โ ahh, so you are taking pity on me, then? โ
โ thank you for making me feel welcome in your pleasant home. canโt say the same for most places iโve been lately. โ ย
โ while i know what you meant, i donโt want you to say such things again. โ
โ look at you, youโre hurt there pretty bad. โ ย ย
โ i canโt be completely sure but, what you said just now i think contained some of the component pieces of a compliment? โ
โ youโre stubborn. however, so am i. โ
โ you think me cruel, yet no nothing of cruelty. โ
โ you just stick with me, iโve always time for you. โ
โ you look a little down and so i was just wondering, would you perchance fancy a song right now? โ
โ i get the feeling weโre starting off on the wrong foot. โ
โ a harsh winter is coming for you. and iโm afraid youโve brought it on yourself. โ
โ i was unkind last time. forgive my indiscretions thereโฆor donโt. but i wished to apologize. โ
โ donโt suppose i can talk you into fighting back this time?ย โ
โ go occupy yourself someplace else. โ
โ donโt feel bad! it had to happen! but if itโs any consolation, itโll probably happen again! โ
โ youโre running from yourself. โ
โ wine does have a rather special way of making everybody look even more beautiful than ever. โ
โ i am not interested in having company, especially from you. โ
โ my faith is prone to shakiness sometimes. โ
โ youโre not your father, thank the gods. โ
โ iโd ask you to join me for a drink, but i know youโve a task ahead of you, and liquor dulls the senses. โ
โ youโre more stubborn than your father. i never thought that such a thing was possible. โ
โ remember, next time, that on my whim i can take everything from you. โ
โ havenโt we had more than enough of each other by now? โ
โ i get the feeling iโm being watched. โ
โ youโve berated me repeatedly and often. โ
โ you ever lose somebody dear to you? โ
โ as you grow long in years, perhaps you shall learn better judgement as to whom to trust, and whom to never, ever disrespect. โ
โ stay focused on the hunt, and itโll help keep the pain at bay. โ
โ you are just so spontaneous, and iโve a liking for that sort of thing! โ
โ no one gets out of here, whether dead or alive. โ
โ what is it that youโre after, reallyโฆ? โ
โ do not throw away your life as i did mine. โ
โ you do not take all your defeats to heart, do you? thatโs good. โ
โ the fates can twist intentions. i donโt want to take the risk. โ
โ sometimes you make me feel alive again. โ
โ weโve been through a lot, and i think weโll be going through a lot more yet. โ
โ feelings we sharedโฆthey faded, with time. โ
โ learn well to shut that foolish mouth of yours, or i shall shut it for you. โ
โ i knew so many warriors who would throw away their lives for glory, believing that the gods were on their side; refusing to consider that their opponents felt the very same. โ
โ you didnโt need to vent all that inner turmoil onto me throughout my life. โ
โ swear to me that you shall never repeat what you are about to hear. swear it! โ
โ sometimes i wonder whatโs going through your head. โ
โ i can do this. i can do this. i can do this. โ
โ you have a good heart. keep listening to it. โ
โ you picked sides, and things are not the same. โ
โ all the terrible choices iโve made. by the time you have existed for as long as i have, pray youo will have made fewer. โ
โ please open your mind to the fact that there are those who care about your wellbeing. โ
โ i know you mean well. from the bottom of my heart, i thank you truly for the thought. โ
โ how can somebody be so brash yet hate to take unnecessary risks? โ
โ i know we canโt exactly change the past, but we can try to move forward. โ
โ you didnโt answer my question. though, you know something? forget i asked. โ
โ just checking in on you, but iโll be on my way again shortly. โ
โ you would speak to me of foolish mistakes? โ
โ do not question my power. โ
โ i donโt hate you. i donโt think i can ever hate you. โ
โ iโve decided not to kill you. no sport in cornered prey. โ
โ i never thought iโd hear you talking about looking forward to working. you feeling alright? โ
โ it has been far too long. although, the passing of the time was very kind. โ
โ i have been thinking on this for some time, and iโve a declaration i must make: i shall hear no more of your silver-tongued lies. โ
โ may i have this dance for old timeโs sake? โ
โ no matter how far you run, it doesnโt make your problems go away. โ
โ i ever tell you youโre a real sweetheart? because, if not, iโm telling you right now. โ
โ oh donโt worry, iโll be back in fighting shape in no time. โ
โ itโs not that iโm upset or anything. you know iโm not, but truthfully iโm a bit annoyed. โ
โ youโve got quite the fighting spirit in there, i have to say. โ
โ โฆanswer me something. what am i to you, exactly, as of late? โ
โ if youโve not anger enough for it yet, youโll learn, i promise you. โ
โ i shall bring desolation upon those who wrong you. โ
โ you know nothing of tempers if mine is your frame of reference. โ
โ let me save you lots of future suffering: i happen to be the jealous type. โ
โ i was really hoping we could change the subject. please? โ
โ finally you cleared the mess you caused. โ
โ i never grew accustomed to the air, up here. it gusts senselessly whichever way it pleases. โ
โ i need your help with something. as iโm about to risk it all. โ
โ love tends to blossom in the strangest places at the strangest times. โ
โ normally they grovel, then they scream. they shut up eventually, but not you. at least, not yet. โ
โ you know, you ainโt near as bad as iโd heard! โ
โ so now you know. but, only half the truth. โ
โ you are and always will be an insufferable brat. โ
โ they say both gods and mortals are notoriously poor at estimating how long it takes to get anything done. โ
โ iโm warning you, iโm not susceptible to bribes. many have tried. โ
โ by my estimation, you have slain at least a thousand souls. โ
โ everyoneโs saying i went easy on you. โ
โ no, on quite the contrary iโve been under no impression that avoiding conflict is an option here. โ
โ i donโt exactly know the ways of mortals. โ
โ itโs not just you swept up in all this nonsense now. you didnโt ask for me to get involved but what did you expect?ย โ
โ if only i had wisdom such as yours, so that i was more capable of picking up on subtle jabs and insults such as that. โ
โ did i detect some hesitance on your part just then? perhaps you knew that you were making a mistake. โ
โ i need you in my life! how can you justโฆturn me away like this? โ
โ no. no mournful speeches. now get out of my way. โ
โ you neednโt lavish me with your faint praise. โ
โ our memories are warnings. when you have lived as long as i have, you come to understand your weaknesses. โ
โ you speak as one whoโs not experienced war. โ ย ย ย
โ youโre looking kind of down. normally youโre all smiles, for whatever reason. โ
โ your heart shall never carry you astray. โ
โ it almost sounds as though youโve broken up with me. โ
โ come now, i donโt think thatโs anything to be concerned about. โ
โ where did you steal that kingly blade youโre brandishing about? it seems ill-fitting for one such as you. โ
โ if thereโs one thing iโve learned since we met, itโs that the trust we share is at the very foundation of our relationships. โ
โ so youโre realizing now that your entire image of me came from your imagination, is that it? โ
โ sorry, my lips are sealed. how about we change the subject? โ
โ you mistook me for someone who blindly follows orders without considering the implications. โ
โ you, in a healthy relationship? why yes, that i have to see. โ
โ you wonโt tell me anything about you? youโre just going to leave me to speculate, forever? โ
โ oh, would you look at whom i found, all by their lonely self. โ
โ sometimes our tempers get the best of all of us. youโre fortunate mine didnโt get the best of you back there. โ
โ you really need to learn to stop meddling in othersโ affairs. โ
โ was just thinking about you. โ
โ i may not be the one to kill you. but iโll soften you up for whoever does. โ
โ i have been waiting for a special moment to confess my great appreciation for your deeds. this momentโs special enough, isnโt it? โ
โ all mortal life is fragile; it simply is a struggle to survive. โ
โ it wasnโt any of my business to pry into your personal life. i should have asked. โ
โ what do you say we deal some death together? โ
โ the more you step away from your responsibilites, the less you shall want anything to do with them. โ
โ what we were once, i wonder if itโs but a falsely ringing memory of mineโฆ โ
โ in all your boundless intellect, iโd have expected you would know i see through your intentions, plan as day. โ
โ ii shall not lie to you again. that much, i swear. โ
โ oh, i donโt have the heart to keep exacting vengeance on you. โ
โ privileges are earned, not begged for. โ
โ i thought we had an understanding. but, this wouldnโt be the first time i was wrong about someone. โ
โ i have every confidence youโll someday clamber from the shadows into the light. โ
โ no paradise awaits you. โ
โ did you miss me? i thought iโd steal away a bit and that together we might make up for lost time. โ
โ when blood is spilled and death is dealt, i simply cannot remain discontented for too long. โ
โ unlike my present company, i do not ask too many questions. โ
โ whatโs life without a little pain. โ
โ such a waste, all for your foolish pride, that you should care more to be remembered by those you shall never know than to be lovedโฆ โ
โ you chose to die in glory, not to live in peaceโฆand all for what? โ
โ whatโs the matter there? gone awful quiet. did i hurt your feelings? โ
โ please, if not for your sake, then for mineโฆdo not return. โ
โ you blame your ancestors for your own weakness? โ
โ i still grow frustrated with myself quite often and donโt always know whom to turn to. โ
โ iโll just remain here, comfortably at rest, for some untold millenia. โ
โ the world has a limitless capacity for pain. โ
โ well, if you do require some emotional support, know that i likely shall be standing over here. โ
โ youโre not fooling anybody with your feigned benevolence, you know. โ
โ iโm just an old killer, yet you treat me like iโm the one whoโs royalty around here. โ
โ life and death are inextricable, and war is often what connects the two. โ
โ someday or night you shall look back on this, and thank me. โ
โ i can no longer tolerate my life here in this place. โ
โ they said you were headed this way. i said iโd stop you. โ
โ if you were being too pushy, you better believe i would have put you back in your place, royalty or not. โ
โ i am leaving, even if it kills me. โ
โ hey, canโt ever be too careful when it comes to peopleโs past and feelings and stuff, right? โ
โ should you ever go to warโฆdo look me up. i imagine i would take your side. โ
โ have you given any thought to justโฆleaving me alone, and going back to wherever it is you came from? โ
โ and here i was beginning to think we had something special going. โ
โ iโm worried youโre going to burn yourself out if you keep pushing yourself past your limits. โ
โ whoever it was you used to be, i believe youโve changed. โ
โ iโm no mere mortal. โ
โ i suppose this must be what itโs like to be a god. being shown affection such as this. โ
โ admittedly i was quite good at it, but i was nothing other than a killer. โ
โ no need to get emotional, is there? iโm not the sentimental type. โ
โ all that pent-up rage behind your smiling wordsโฆ โ
โ donโt ever fall for mortals. use them if you must, but do not waste your love on those who waste away. โ
โ i was never terribly fearful of gods. they seem to have their struggles much like mortals do. โ
โ i would ask you to think of your well-being for the time, not mine. โ
โ must say youโre very good at hiding your worries. โย
โ anger fades. anger burns hot, then burns out. whatโs left is a dull ache. โ
โ you have much to be proud of. youโre a great warrior. a great instructor. a great friend. โ
โ you must know the seven types of love by now, donโt you? why, i have several types of love for you! โ
โ sometimes i fear i shall develop some sort of grudging respect for you. โ ย
โ as you grow long in years, you gain more burdens and responsibilities, until they bind you. โ
โ youโre being very nice to me, and that makes me suspicious, understand? โ
โ you like me? i never thought, iโฆdonโt know why that sounds so strange, coming from you. โ
โ just know thatโฆif you feel the way i doโฆyou know where to find me. โ
โ i still have feelings for you, i think. โ
โ youโre a god. iโm telling you to learn to act like one. โ
โ we were invincible together, werenโt we? though, i have never missed those daysโฆ โ
โ i like being on my own and all, but itโs been nice, talking to you like this. โ
โ youโve done more for me than iโve any right to expect, from anyone. โ
โ the heart can make us do the strangest things, canโt it? โ
โ i would never have been remotely prepared for everything iโve had to face, if not for all your guidance. and i donโt just mean the violent stuff. โ
โ youโre not so bad, you know that? careful with that, or youโll undermine the ruthless reputation you have. โ
โ well, for all his failings, iโm thankful that he did not teach you how to hate. โ
โ i donโt know that i hate anybody, really. โ
โ there are a myriad of tales to be told, of both great deeds and of vainglorious defeats, and this has been a tale that falls somewhere in the middle. โ
โ there is no replacing your presence. i felt that before we ever met, and now i know for sure. โ
โ mortals are so bent on clinging to their lives, that many among them would gladly kill for it.ย โ
โ listen to me. i donโt know how else to put this, but, i want you to come home. โ
โ i think we understand something of loss, now, donโt we? โ
โ hey, look, i can tell youโre struggling right nowโฆ โ
โ you must know i often hunger for destruction, almost uncontrollably at that. โ
โ you still have no idea how to be up front with me, do you. why donโt you tell me why youโre here, and what you want. โ
โ the destruction you have sown, the sheer carnageโฆnothing can surpass that. โ
โ i do not think i ever would have asked for help, at any point, becauseโฆi donโt entirely know how. โ
โ but hope alone is worthless without action, is it not? โ
โ as bloodshed has become somewhat of a necessity in my situation, i am very grateful that youโre with me in this. โ
โ many mortals strive for greatness all their lives, never quite realizing there is no existing formula for it. not even a specific definition for it. โ ย ย
โ there are aspects of my country that i miss, from time to time. the stark, bright beauty of that strange, wondrous land. โ ย ย
โ iย think for many of us, it can come as a surprise to learn that love and war often go hand in hand. โ
โ you donโt have what it takes. โ
โ quit messing with my heart. โ
โ youโre nothing to me anymore. โ
โ say, you must know a lot of big shots, donโt you? other gods and all that? โ
โ iย trust, from time to time, you stop to ask yourself how come you choose to fight.ย โ
โ you cannot change the course that has been set. try all you like. โ ย ย ย
โ we donโt all share the same demeanor, nor see eye to eye. though all of us, i think, wish you the best. โ
โ iโve known great men throughout my life, and i can always tell when someoneโs better than their circumstances. โ
โ i am quite capable of making your life plenty difficult.ย โ
โ i bet whoever it is that loves youโฆitโs because of who you are. โ
โ i lay the blame entirely upon you, yes. who else? โ
โ i think, deep down, you are not the heartless harbinger of retribution that you want everyone to think you are. โ ย ย
โ in my domain, you either find your place, or you learn your place. โ
โ you have no idea how good youโve had it here. maybe someday youโll come to understand. โ
โ do not mess with me right now. โ