"Tell me something, what happens after you catch That Man?"
"We'll settle the score." Sol answered with a glance over towards Ky. "And that'll be that."
There was a silence that settled between them after that. The weight of his words seemed to slowly settle, causing an unspoken tension. There was Sol, standing with his arms crossed, seemingly minding his business. It was as though he had said something as simple as what he might be having for dinner. And next to him was Ky, the ever righteous and hopeful leader. Someone people looked to for guidance due to his tactful brilliance. At this point in time, Sol was trying to ignore him. Why? Because in that silence that had followed his statement, he felt Ky's gaze on him. He knew without even looking at him that he was watching him carefully. Those blue eyes would likely be looking at him with a serious gleam. The glare of concern locked in them. He wasn't going to be shaken by that look. Sol was content with the silence that had fallen between them and felt as though he didn't need to explain himself. It should have been known what his plans were from the very start. He had been on the same mission for nearly half of Ky's life by now and even longer than that. Nothing had changed. Or so that was what he told himself and he wasn't willing to give any other chance to change that now. Especially not that look Ky was giving him. The one he always gave him when something serious or concerning came up and whenever he wanted something from Sol.
"Don't bother, Ky. I'm not changing my mind." Sol cut in. He already knew what he might try and say.
"Isn't there anything you want for your future?"
"Tch, future. For a monster like me?" He gave a shake of his head as he scoffed. After which he turned away from him, intending to leave his response at that. Again, he felt like he didn't need to explain his reasons. Not to anyone.
"You can't mean that! You're a hero! You're nothing like--"
"I'm not discussing this. I have other things to do and so do you. Better get to it, less your loyal followers start thinkin' you're slacking off. That wouldn't look good on you, you know." Sol said with a wave of his hand.
It was because Sol knew that Ky knew the truth behind the question he was asking him. What he planned to do once his revenge was complete. Or rather the lack of a plan that Sol had for once it was all over. It was because he was so focused on settling his score with That Man, that Sol didn't seem to particularly care what happened to his life. Honestly he wasn't even sure he wanted to continue to exist when it was all said and done. And why? Because in his mind, he had become the one thing that he hated the most. The very thing that he opposed and sought to destroy since he had come to understand what had happened to him. He was a gear. And while he wasn't like the other gears that had existed before, he was still not human. To Sol that made him nothing more than a monster. A freak of nature and completely unnatural. Humanity had nearly been wiped out by the very project that had begun many years ago. One he had abandoned. There was no way in hell he wanted to go on living the way he was. Never aging and without a real purpose to his life. There was no reason for gears to exist anymore. That's why he had determined that when it was all over, he would allow himself to be destroyed just as he had destroyed all the others.
He didn't expect him to understand, nor did he care if he understood. It was as he said: he wasn't going to discuss it anymore. And in making that decision and foreseeing where this conversation may lead, Sol decided to take it upon himself to go ahead and take his leave. He wasn't interested in arguing with Ky. Honestly, he felt like it was just a waste of time and effort. Effort that could be spent on gathering information and continuing his hunt. In the end, if Ky couldn't step up to do what he needed to do in order to protect the people around him--someone else would just have to fill those shoes. And if that was the way it had to be, then so be it. Although Sol didn't personally feel like there would be a better person to destroy him eventually than Ky, himself--he wouldn't be surprised if he refused to do it. That just seemed like the stupid righteous bullshit he would try to pull. Something about not wanting to hurt someone who had been his ally or whatever it was he believed in. The thought had the corner of Sol's lips pulling up just slightly into a faint smirk. He was so predictable. But even so, he did have to admit that he seemed to know what he was doing--well for the most part. Those beliefs of his though, they would more than likely lead him into some trouble in the future if he wasn't careful. That would be a battle he wasn't going to be able to ask Sol to help him with.
Sol ignored Ky's calls to him, staying to true to his own word. He could tell by the sound of his voice that he wanted to plead with him to reconsider. To think about what he was doing and the consequences it could mean later. Still, it fell on deaf ears. As far as Sol was concerned, all the threat in the world would come to an end as soon as That Man was dealt with. There would be no need for a world hero. Sol Badguy would be nothing but a memory, talked about through history. And he was okay with that ending. He picked up on a few hesitant footfalls behind him and a shuffling sound just as Sol reached the other end of the room, nearing the door he had entered through earlier. It sounded like Ky was planning something. He doubted he would just let him go so easily, if he really was trying to stop him. Not that it mattered either way. It wouldn't be the first time that Sol just walked away from him whenever he seemed desperately to change his mind about something. This probably wouldn't be the last time it would happen either, at least not yet. The two of them never did exactly see eye to eye on everything. Which is typically what led to these such situations. However, it was the shing of a blade being drawn from its sheath, that stopped Sol in his place--his hand just short of the door to open it.
"We'll do this your way. If my words aren't enough to have you listen to reason, I'll just have to stop you from leaving." Ky spoke with conviction. He meant what he said.
There was a crack after that and Sol didn't have to look to know what that sound meant. With a swift movement, he gripped the ribbon to his weapon and pulled it from his back. Sol had just managed to turn on his heel, bringing the heavy Fireseal down in time to clash with Ky's weapon. The blond putting all his force in his swing, lightning crackling around him as he stood against him. Sol bared his teeth at the other, pushing back the force of his attack with his own. He had to give it to him, he was fast and he had certainly gotten stronger since the last time that their weapons had clashed. There was nothing to joke about when it came to his skills. He was as sharp as ever. But just as always, he was never quite good enough to best Sol. In the end, he was the one who always defeated Ky. That's why it didn't come to a surprise when their weapons were forced apart by the force of the energy they used, it was no surprise that Ky's sword had been thrown from his hands. With a crack of lightning it went clattering to the ground, where it came to rest about ten feet from where the pair stood. Now was Sol's chance to get the last blow in that would knock Ky back and out of his way from leaving. Of course, he wasn't aiming to seriously hurt him, just bring him down enough that he wouldn't be picking up his sword and trying to charge at him a second time. He'd recover okay, he always did.
"You've gotten stronger, but it's still not enough." Sol commented after Ky lost his sword.
"Don't be so cocky... it's not fitting of you, Sol."
"Hah, like you have any---"
Sol's words were suddenly stopped when Ky rushed him before he could think too much about finishing his final attack. Sol had just enough time to allow his eyes to widen before the fight had been abruptly brought to an end. And not in any way that he would have suspected it might. Closing in on him as quick as the lightning that flashed from his hands, the blond was suddenly in front of him, blue eyes flashing a look of true genuine anguish. Warmth touched Sol's features then as soft lips had been delicately pressed to his own. It had him frozen on impact, caught by the shock and surprise of the gesture. As chaste as it had been, seemingly the perfect kind of touch coming from someone like himself--he hadn't seen it coming. And for a moment it felt as though time had stopped completely until Sol placed a free hand on Ky's shoulder. For just a moment, he gave into the kiss, allowing himself to press more insistently into it. It didn't last too long though, only a few moments before Sol seemed to come to his senses, realizing what he was doing and where he was. He gripped Ky's shoulder and forced the blond back from him, only to catch him by the fabric of his shirt, holding it tightly as he graced him with a fierce glare. Amber eyes boring into blue ones, almost as though he were insulted by his impulsive decision.
"What the hell gives you the right?!" He hissed through clenched teeth.
Ky reached up with one hand to grab at his. "I won't let you die like that! Even if...even if our futures don't end with us being together... Sol, I will not give up the hope that there is still a future for you!"
"Tch!" Sol scoffed, dropping Ky at his feet. He hardly gave him a chance to recover though, turning once again away from him, he swung his weapon to replace it back onto his back. "Ya know somethin'?" Sol paused glancing over his shoulder at Ky, who was slowly gathering himself up off the floor. "You really piss me off." He turned to head out the door at that, only adding one last thing as the door came to a close behind him. "I'll see you around, Ky."
