[ he stares at mikazuki in silence for a long while, frowning as he considers the question and how to answer. ]
...The Mikazuki I know isn't much clearer about his intentions than you. But I believe you both fight to protect, like our master intended.
I will do what it takes to protect the one who will provide us with the best possible outcome, when handed the fate of the universe. I want to believe that's your plan, but I don't know if you can do that, if you're that focused on protecting Roxas.
[ mikazuki should know better than anyone that they can't save everyone, shouldn't he? ]
Perhaps I have been rather difficult to you - to force you to consider your humanity so much during this ordeal. Upon reflection, perhaps I...
[ . . . hmm, no, he decides that's a bit too much, a little bit too telling to continue. he offers a smile and a laugh to end that train of thought.]
Even I, Mikazuki Munechika, have learned what it means to desire to protect. And I do admire those of you who are able to listen to your mission above all else....
But I have looked after my charge for nine weeks - and while I wish to ensure his safety, I do not intend to tread over his will. I will defer to what he desires, if that is for us to lay down our swords, or to cling onto the life that we both have been given.
[ kara wonders if he should ask what mikazuki meant to say, but he decides against it. what he feels about his own humanity means nothing here, as far as he is concerned.
but this… it goes against everything they work for. protecting a few for their own reasons, whatever they may be, can interfere with the needs of the world at large. it’s not as easy a decision as it should be, but mikazuki should know the importance of it. but he still chooses this? ]
And if he wants to live? You would kill all of us and yourself to make him the last one here, and leave him to decide the fate of the universe, no matter what the rest of us want?
[ he thinks he knows the answer, and... it makes him angry. this is the revered tenka goken, the strongest sword of all of them? weren't they supposed to be wiser, somehow, than the rest? it's hard to understand why mikazuki would go so far. isn't that something the revisionists would do? ]
[and at that - there is a soft smile. there is no hesitation, fear, or uncertainty - though whether it's faith in roxas, or in mikazuki's own choices, it's hard to say.]
If that is what he chooses, then that would be the dilemma placed in front of us.
And yet I wonder—
Have you spoken to him?
Or shall you consider us doomed to one possibility?
[the wheels continue to turn, the cards continue to fall, and mikazuki watches every turn as impassively as ever, as if they are all but petals caught in a breeze]
[ he opts not to answer that question, his usual frown deepening into a scowl. ]
If the universe was going to give us another way, it should have done so by now. Or is there something else you're not telling us?
[ even if there was, isn't it too late to do anything now? if the others have already made their decisions, he won't be the one to change their minds, even if he tries. it's frustrating - this whole situation. why can't they just get some straight answers? ]
I cannot think of a reason why I would hide information that would save my charge.
[hide information that might save himself? sure, if the mood struck and he was feeling particularly stubborn. but given how seriously he seems to be taking roxas' life...
anyway]
You chose to answer the easier question, you know.
You so quickly jumped to the conclusion that he would want to live, that he would forsake you all... New opportunities open if you only but choose to have faith in others - hadn't you learned that by now?
[that said.]
I wonder if you'd like me to repeat myself.
I will comply with what the young one desires, as long as I am myself. There is nothing more than that, Ookurikara.
[ putting faith in others opens you to certain weaknesses - many of those left are proof of that, as far as he's concerned. besides shess, he has no desire to waste his time or energy with them.
but he's never been shy about saying that, has he? so he won't do it again. ]
But you will still get in our way, once he's been executed, I'd only to ensure the right one is left to decide our fates.
[ his eyes narrow. ]
Who do you think the best choice, out of those of us left?
[well, there's no reason for him to confirm or deny that. it's been made clear to him that the corruption will likely increase his desire for violence, but not to the point that he'd compromise his morals. so yeah, basically.
the important part being that he remains himself.]
I know well enough that you would sooner break yourself than raise a hand against a trusted ally.
And so I have entrusted something important to Shess, and will likely continue to do so unless unforeseen circumstances arise.
I won't let the corruption have you, no matter what that means.
[ he still doesn't want to break - of course he doesn't. but kara made his choice. he's ready for what will come, however painful it may be, so long as it will free mikazuki from the corruption.
to the rest, he simply nods. ]
Shess will be the last, if I have anything to say about it.
[ but that still means mikazuki will have to be broken, and kara doesn't want anyone else to do that. even shess doesn't fully understand what it's like for a sword to break, or the significance mikazuki himself holds in their own world, and kara's never been one to give the tough jobs to someone else, anyway. ]
[ his face is carefully neutral as he considers that, and as he considers his answer. it's one he's known for a long time, but hoped wouldn't be the only option left to them. ]
Once I know for sure that it's between Shess and I, I would break my own sword.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
You are already aware that I am not the Mikazuki Munechika that you are familiar with, Ookurikara.
But even so -
What do you suppose that your Mikazuki Munechika fights for?
What is his purpose?
What is yours?
no subject
...The Mikazuki I know isn't much clearer about his intentions than you. But I believe you both fight to protect, like our master intended.
I will do what it takes to protect the one who will provide us with the best possible outcome, when handed the fate of the universe. I want to believe that's your plan, but I don't know if you can do that, if you're that focused on protecting Roxas.
[ mikazuki should know better than anyone that they can't save everyone, shouldn't he? ]
no subject
Perhaps I have been rather difficult to you - to force you to consider your humanity so much during this ordeal. Upon reflection, perhaps I...
[ . . . hmm, no, he decides that's a bit too much, a little bit too telling to continue. he offers a smile and a laugh to end that train of thought.]
Even I, Mikazuki Munechika, have learned what it means to desire to protect. And I do admire those of you who are able to listen to your mission above all else....
But I have looked after my charge for nine weeks - and while I wish to ensure his safety, I do not intend to tread over his will. I will defer to what he desires, if that is for us to lay down our swords, or to cling onto the life that we both have been given.
no subject
but this… it goes against everything they work for. protecting a few for their own reasons, whatever they may be, can interfere with the needs of the world at large. it’s not as easy a decision as it should be, but mikazuki should know the importance of it. but he still chooses this? ]
And if he wants to live? You would kill all of us and yourself to make him the last one here, and leave him to decide the fate of the universe, no matter what the rest of us want?
[ he thinks he knows the answer, and... it makes him angry. this is the revered tenka goken, the strongest sword of all of them? weren't they supposed to be wiser, somehow, than the rest? it's hard to understand why mikazuki would go so far. isn't that something the revisionists would do? ]
no subject
If that is what he chooses, then that would be the dilemma placed in front of us.
And yet I wonder—
Have you spoken to him?
Or shall you consider us doomed to one possibility?
[the wheels continue to turn, the cards continue to fall, and mikazuki watches every turn as impassively as ever, as if they are all but petals caught in a breeze]
no subject
If the universe was going to give us another way, it should have done so by now. Or is there something else you're not telling us?
[ even if there was, isn't it too late to do anything now? if the others have already made their decisions, he won't be the one to change their minds, even if he tries. it's frustrating - this whole situation. why can't they just get some straight answers? ]
no subject
[hide information that might save himself? sure, if the mood struck and he was feeling particularly stubborn. but given how seriously he seems to be taking roxas' life...
anyway]
You chose to answer the easier question, you know.
Have you asked Roxas himself what he wants?
no subject
[ as if he wouldn't go for another solution if there was one - but how is he to find something like that? ]
...He said he wanted you both to be purified, and revived with the rest.
[ so. jiji and roxas both will have to die. kara intends to do that himself, if he can. ]
He has a wish, too. That's all.
Are you still going to protect him, after that?
no subject
[that said.]
I wonder if you'd like me to repeat myself.
I will comply with what the young one desires, as long as I am myself. There is nothing more than that, Ookurikara.
no subject
but he's never been shy about saying that, has he? so he won't do it again. ]
But you will still get in our way, once he's been executed, I'd only to ensure the right one is left to decide our fates.
[ his eyes narrow. ]
Who do you think the best choice, out of those of us left?
no subject
the important part being that he remains himself.]
I know well enough that you would sooner break yourself than raise a hand against a trusted ally.
And so I have entrusted something important to Shess, and will likely continue to do so unless unforeseen circumstances arise.
no subject
[ he still doesn't want to break - of course he doesn't. but kara made his choice. he's ready for what will come, however painful it may be, so long as it will free mikazuki from the corruption.
to the rest, he simply nods. ]
Shess will be the last, if I have anything to say about it.
[ but that still means mikazuki will have to be broken, and kara doesn't want anyone else to do that. even shess doesn't fully understand what it's like for a sword to break, or the significance mikazuki himself holds in their own world, and kara's never been one to give the tough jobs to someone else, anyway. ]
no subject
[heart, morals, sense of justice - he could've phrased it in a number of ways... but he does like this one.
though he can't help but wonder - ]
And what do you intend to do, if you are successful in defeating me? How will you meet your end?
no subject
Once I know for sure that it's between Shess and I, I would break my own sword.