A New Beginning (Vincent/PM for Entry)

[Ryuzaki]

There was an explosion of power as Vincent raised Phoenix Heart, allowing blue energy to flow upward, encasing the mercenary in a bright and fierce glow that seemed almost to blow like wind around him. Still far away from Ryuzaki, Vincent brought his weapon down, slamming the tip of the sword into the earth and creating a barrier around himself in the form of divine fire, bright white tongues of flame that roared upward with might that even from afar could be felt. Phoenix Heart truly possessed greater power than Shinryu, in terms of sheer might or force, but the assassin's blade made up for it in his mind with its maleficent versatility.

As Vincent took a knee, laughing and breathing heavily from the force he had just let loose, Ryuzaki lowered his guard, collapsing down as well. Breathing long and slow, the assassin removed the lancereaver from his arm, swearing as he pulled the barbs forth and tossed the weapon next to him before finding an elixir within one of his pouches and applying it liberally to the cuts. The minty solution burned as it begun to heal his wounds, and Ryu bandaged the damage tightly before putting his armguard in a pouch to repair. It had sustained significant damage, especially the leather.

After bandaging his wounds and stowing his gear, Ryu groaned as he stood upright. He was certainly sore. It had been an intense duel, and as he thought over it, he couldn't really identify a clear winner. He'd taken damage, including that nasty arm wound, but Vincent had not escaped unscathed either. With two magic weapons in the mix, and with each so different, it was truly difficult to assess who had 'won.'

"We never finish our duels, Vincent. Have you noticed that? Every time we fight, either we stop out of mutual respect, or someone or something interrupts us.

I must say, though, you've grown tremendously in skill. We're truly pretty well matched, you and I. I told you that you could become stronger than me if you kept at it.

It's interesting, how we both possess magical weapons, but both our personalities and our weapons are vastly different, almost opposite. You fight with the strength of devotion to your cause, with dedication, with whole-hearted determination. I fight with the skill of an opportunist, trying to outwit and outmaneuver. Your weapon is full of righteous power, which it displays in radiant bursts of force and light. My sword is a blade of vile might, which it lets forth in streams of blood and its blackened, vicious glow."

The assassin tossed Vincent the lancereaver, sending it handle-side first towards his friend and rival.

"This is yours, I believe. Nice weapon, though I must say I don't like being on the receiving end of it. It was a good fight, my friend. You certainly showed me that you're no pushover...though I hope you don't settle and think you've overcome me just yet!"

Ryu gave a genuine, pleased laugh. He was feeling good, even with a throbbing arm and muscles that screamed from exertion.

[Vincent]

As Ryu sat upon the earth and wretched the blade from his arm Vincent let what strength he clung to relax and simply laid back in the grass. He was breathing heavily and laughing in sheer joy of the excursion. "Blast!" He uttered between breaths. He looked back at the duel and the mistakes he had made for they were many. Had he taken different actions in many cases he could have secured an advantage he thought. Adrenaline dying away he was reminded of his wounds with a hiss and a groan. His right arm and shoulder rebelled against him now.

"Pass that along!" He requested of the elixir. Ryu made a good point, their duels were inconclusive, or this one was. Their first meeting could not scarcely be called a duel and the second was Ryu's victory. Vincent huffed. "I'm closing the distance but." He peeled away the black and dead skin. Blood and puss leaking out as he did so. Volatile weapon indeed. "But you keep improving too." He sighed. "Guess I won't be besting Duma either if he's like you." He felt happy yet frustrated. He had great and fierce rivals but... Ryu was better than him. He lied down again and conceded that fact. If not for the escalation of weaponry he would have lost. Ryu held the advantage and had tricks the spare. "Next time he duel... I want it to be without magic. Pure blade work and skill."

As Ryu assessed their weapons Vincent felt oddly uncomfortable. A righteous power, it made it sound as though Vincent were high and mighty. "I think you speak too highly of my blade. It does not require a righteous cause. Only a will to unendingly seek it." In the past Ryu would surely have been accepted by it as its master, but as he was now, in this transition of his it's power would have at best waned.

As Ryu returned the lancereaver Vincent laughed. "Well, I never expected someone to throw their arm into it." He looked at the bandages on Ryu's arm. They would heal but, "how long until you recover you think?" He was worried about just how deeply he tethered. Rising up he sheathed his blades and returned Phoenix Heart to its box. Now to gather Ryu's knives. The tall grass provided a challenge but the area of their battle was well marked but blood and dead grass.

[Ryuzaki]

"Pass that along!"

Ryu complied, tossing the elixir over and shaking his head at the Mercenary's statements.

"Don't think like that. It will poison your progress. Really, you just have to trust in your own abilities and use your own strength. That's how you find your rhythm and your style. And once you solidify that, you'll perfect your art and become stronger and stronger. If you wish, I'd be happy to duel you next without any sort of magical weapon use. As you say... pure blade work and skill. We'll certainly fulfill that idea in the future. You'll keep on improving, Vincent, of that I am sure. And one day I believe our duels may end differently, though I will certainly work as hard as I can to prevent that day from arriving."

A will to seek power? Interesting. It was a blade for the strong and sure, who would stand firm and fight hard with it. Shinryu was a blade for the crafty and the sly. Truly, the blades were suited to their wielders. It was as if they had been chosen by the blades, though Ryu knew this to be impossible. His sword had been crafted at the time of the greatest war between dragons and man... Who knew how many lives it had claimed or the path it had taken through the years.

"Well, I never expected someone to throw their arm into it. How long until you recover you think?"

Ryuzaki laughed with Vincent.

"I expected my guard to absorb all of the attack. I didn't think you'd shear through the leather so easily. I'll have to figure out a better way to affix it for when we next meet, I suppose!"

Ryu moved his arm, bending his head back and forth and pursing his lips as he thought briefly. With the elixir, he would be able to accelerate the process and keep the wound from being infected. And if he headed to Bulgar, he could get healed, finishing the process even faster.

"Probably only as long as it takes for me to get to Bulgar. I'll be favoring the left arm until I can get to an actual healer, but the elixir will keep the pain off and help seal it up. I'll be fine, I'm sure. And I think you will too; make sure you keep those areas the poisoned blood hit clean. I doubt the effect will last long, but they'll still be vulnerable. It's really nasty, the power of this sword. It fits me well, but I have a long way to go before I can understand and make good use of all of its powers and abilities."

[Vincent]

Vincent applied the ointment liberally. The wound on his shoulder was rather deep and the thick ointment seeped into the gap in his flesh. He visibly winced as the elixir did its work. He applied it to the rest of his arm as well but he knew he would need to wash the wound out as well. It was painful but at least it was cool as well. "Thanks."

"I think as I twisted it slipped under the plate. At that point it made the leather easy to tear open ya know?" He thought on how best to fix it. "If you get thicker leather or solid metal it probably won't work again. If anything I'll just lose my blade in leather." He laughs. "Headed to Bulgar huh? I'm curious what does come next for a man in love?" He gestured to his cart and shook his head. "Obviously I have a delivery to make. Perhaps I can tell them I fought off highwaymen that wanted the goods." He laughed at his own joke. It could probably work with how torn up his clothes were, and it would be better than saying oh, you know, I just say an old rival that I just had to have a violent duel with. Normal people did not duel the way they did and he readily admitted to that.

The golden law of magic weapons. It seemed that Ryu understood it well. A long road ahead to understanding it. "You have no idea just how long that road will be."

[Ryuzaki]

Ryu nodded, giving Vincent a small smile.

"Keep the bottle. I've got enough, what with all the ones I've purloined. People sure do like their medicine."

As Vincent described how he believed he had freed the armguard, Ryu furrowed his brows, listening to the suggestions his friend and rival had made. They were all quite logical, and Ryu had already begun to mentally determine the necessary adjustments to make sure his next guard would be more secure and less vulnerable to the same type of attack. After all, it would be simply foolish to recreate something that had already been shown to have flaws. Similarly, he needed to adjust his fighting style, improve his tactics and hone his techniques. He saw many shortcomings in how he had fought, and he needed to make sure he did not replicate those failings in the future. Otherwise, he would most certainly be overtaken by Vincent.

"What does come next? Well, at this point I have no idea if she feels anywhere remotely near the same way. As of the last time we were together, things were pretty steamy, but I have no idea if that was something dynamic and long lasting or a flare born out of the tension and stress we'd both just experienced. I don't really know, besides that I'm pretty smitten. Heh, it's hard to imagine her settling down, though, so practically speaking things will probably be challenging at best. I guess it's the price we pay for traveling down our own roads."

When Vincent mentioned highwaymen, Ryu laughed uproariously.

"You're better off telling them that you were engaged in a fight for your life with a Dragon! Come on, I'm sure your employer knows your skill. Unless a whole army of brigands were attacking you, I doubt you'd take more than a scratch. You don't give yourself enough credit. You've truly become very skilled. And as for our weapons... I believe that there's a long road ahead for both of us. We've got some growing to do, and there is always room to improve our skills. I believe that if we compare our magical weapons when we next meet, the progress each of us will have made will be surprising to both of us. I'm loath to part ways, though, so easily. You were an interesting one to have around, and sometimes I do feel the lack of your presence. I consider you a good friend, Vincent, one of the few I can claim to have."

[Vincent]

Vincent took the remaining elixir gratefully. He knew he could get at least another use out it. He would have to stretch it and be conservative with it sure but it could be done. Packing it away he listened to Ryu speak and of Mila. When he mentioned their last meeting having been, as he put it, a steamy encounter Vincent's mind began to wander to dark places and his face flushed red.

Mila was an attractive woman after all. He turned his head and coughed. He hoped Ryu would not notice or at least pass it off as blood flow from the battle they just had. Settling down? He agreed the idea of Mila settling down did seem odd at this point but even stranger was the thought that Ryu would. "I'm less worried about her ability to settle down as I am yours. You don't strike me as the type to leave behind your lifestyle too easily." Then again as he thought on it if there was anything that could bring a man to leave one life it was a woman.

Had Ryu heard of his exploits at the city of Heroes? No, he doubted he did, even if he had he'd only know the title Heelcutter, and unless he asked he felt it was better kept that way. Vincent smiled solemnly at the praise. Was he doubting himself? He thought he was just taking a close examination. "Well, most of my employers hire me to transport goods, not to fight their rivals or monsters." He did get those on occasion but far less frequently. The truth was he had been considering retiring his blade for the life of a merchant, but here he was on a delivery when an old mentor appears from nowhere like a sign. To his knowledge Burt was still out there too; it was as though the world was telling him he can never leave the blade behind.

"I'm glad I can be called a friend. I would be loathe to have you as my enemy." He laughed.

[Ryuzaki]

It appeared that he had made Vincent uncomfortable. The man blushed and turned away, coughing to cover up the flush that had crept over his face. Ryu smirked for a second, then rolled his eyes as the younger man turned back and gave a bit of a goading comment. Ryu snorted, throwing his hands up in the air as he replied, a sort of wistful and sardonic expression muddling his features.

"Neither of us would settle too well. But hey, maybe that's what happens when a volcano meets a tornado. I don't know, mate, but I do know that I've done some mighty irrational things because of her. It's out of character for me, and it's a bit worrisome. Gotta get it under control before I go completely nuts."

Cutting off any possible reply, Ryu snapped back, though good-naturedly.

"And yes, I know you already think I am completely nuts. But I assure you, all of my marbles are still intact and contained."

Vincent, transporting goods? Ryuzaki had a hard time imagining this being anything more than a passing whim, an idea his friend had to kill time while training or waiting for something new to fall into his life. And if Vincent did pick up this caravan business full time, he would have to be on the lookout... For Ryu would make him a target. No way would he let such a skilled rival just dump his potential and become a potbellied coin-counter. That was unthinkable.

"Hah! You'd be one of few enemies I have that possess the skills to keep themselves alive. Most people who called me an enemy have been taken care of. You'd give me a run for my money, unless I got you while you slept. Have no fear, though, I've too much respect for your abilities to off you in such a way. I'd have to best you in battle, or I'd feel like I backed away from one of few battles I am bound by honor to fight."

[Vincent]

Vincent laughed and gave a sharp but good natured reply of his own. "I don't think you are nuts Ryu, I know better than that. You are nuts." Vincent stretched and prepared to be on his way once more. He had many things to think about and was approaching a new crossroad in his life. So soon too.

One of the few huh? Ryu's way of seeing things was always so chipper. Even if he saw Vincent as a friend and ally he knew the man was constantly thinking of how best to kill him if it came time for it. Vincent found himself wondering if Ryu were the sort to kill a friend for the right price. He did not have many friends though, or at least that Vincent had met aside from Mila so he could not gauge it particularly well.

Ryu respected his skills far too much to kill him in his sleep? His skills was it? Something about that statement did not sit well in the pit of the young mercenary's gut. So how did he respect Vincent as a fellow man? It was not a question he would voice but it nagged at his mind. "Well, good to know I can sleep soundly at least." He managed to make light of it with a laugh.

Bound by honor to fight with Vincent in such a duel. Was he planning to have a final climatic battle with him? Or did he merely mean he would be dissatisfied with such a method. He settled on the latter and hoped it was the latter.

[Ryuzaki]

Slowly, Ryuzaki turned to Vincent, looking at his friend with an unusually bright glow in his eyes as he gave a laugh that seemed simultaneously heartfelt and icy cold.

"Sleep while you can, Vincent. Soon enough, you'll be fighting again. You're never without a cause to fight for, something that you're drawn into almost without your consent. Your honor and your just nature makes you a poor candidate to merely watch a fight...How long before you take up arms to defend Sacae from Etruria? When will you whet your blades upon the men of Elimine's land, you who so readily sliced down the waves of hellspawn at the City of Heroes?"

Ryuzaki narrowed his eyes, giving now a hollow bark of laughter as he shook his head slowly, walking toward Vincent until he stood close to the other silvery-haired man.

"What drives you? What motivates you to continue to fight as you do? From where does that power well up? You have such determination to accomplish what you see as right... How do you hold that vision so tightly?

Tell me, Heelcutter, what makes you tick? How have you not yet grown old and weary of fighting, of trying to fight the losing battle against those whose minds are closed?

They talk without speaking, and hear without listening... Yet you still call out to them, reach out to them... Why do you still bother? Surely you know that hate and bloodshed is the way of the world, and so there is no way to avoid it. Let them kill each other... And go on to greater things."

[Vincent]

The assassin gazed upon the boy with a dark glint in his eyes. His thoughts were clear to Vincent that they shown of simultaneous glee and cruelty. A thing he had seen far too oft and yet could not understand himself. The assassin quickly put these thoughts into words. "Sleep while you can, Vincent. Soon enough, you'll be fighting again. You're never without a cause to fight for, something that you're drawn into almost without your consent. Your honor and your just nature makes you a poor candidate to merely watch a fight...How long before you take up arms to defend Sacae from Etruria? When will you whet your blades upon the men of Elimine's land, you who so readily sliced down the waves of hellspawn at the City of Heroes?"

For him to have figured out that he had fought there was only a short time of gathering information and using an educated guess. The City of Heroes was not against the presence of outsiders but it was not until the recent attack that anyone actually chose to stay in the city. Besides, if Ryu could not figure out at least that much he certainly would not make for a very good assassin he thought.

But the assassin was not yet done showing off his cleverness by any stretch; his monologue continued on raising into a question, a plea almost, and it was interlaced with a single name that made VIncent feel an odd chill.

"What drives you? What motivates you to continue to fight as you do? From where does that power well up? You have such determination to accomplish what you see as right... How do you hold that vision so tightly?

Tell me, Heelcutter, what makes you tick? How have you not yet grown old and weary of fighting, of trying to fight the losing battle against those whose minds are closed?

They talk without speaking, and hear without listening... Yet you still call out to them, reach out to them... Why do you still bother? Surely you know that hate and bloodshed is the way of the world, and so there is no way to avoid it. Let them kill each other... And go on to greater things."

Vincent reeled away from his conflicted friend at the drop of his title. It was a name he held close with pride as well as guilt. Why did he earn it? Because a mage made his stronger? Everyone worked to bring the monster down. It was a foolish reaction, especially for a mercenary, but it just happened.

Despite his own feelings he absorbed the words from Ryu. His inquisitive desperation as it was pierced him. Why did he try so hard to save people? To help them? To bring them back when they were too far gone to help themselves?

"I don't know... maybe I just like feeling like the hero." No, to say this was was false would be a lie, but to say it was true would deny him of the deeper reasons. "I fight because someone has to. Everyone is so concerned with who's right and who's wrong, my god or yours. I just fight for the sake of my friends. I went to the city of Heroes because an old friend asked me to. But there I saw just what the monsters were, and..." He looked angry, he groaned and looked up defiantly. "Its just one thing after another! A man named Burt became consumed by a monster there because he saved me! I don't fight for some higher cause. I fight for my friends, and right now to do that I need to be the strongest in the world. I need to take out the monsters that could turn good men into beasts! That is my reason to fight, and it is why I do not wish to be involved in the wars. I want to stand above all of them. I want to be a symbol of hope and peace. I want people to know there is a better way of things." His emotions welled up and spilled forth from him, revealing truths he himself had not fully understood. "I want... I guess I want to be a hero. Call me naive and childish id you want but that is why I fight as I do."

[Ryuzaki]

"I don't know... maybe I just like feeling like the hero."

It was true – Vincent always did have strong virtues, standing up for what he believed was right even through the harshest of adversities. His moral compass was firm, and his resolve was something Ryuzaki admired. And the assassin did not often like to admire others. So with that concession made, Ryu nodded slowly. It was true… But his friend and rival continued.

“I fight because someone has to. Everyone is so concerned with who's right and who's wrong, my god or yours. I just fight for the sake of my friends. I went to the city of Heroes because an old friend asked me to. But there I saw just what the monsters were, and... it’s just one thing after another! A man named Burt became consumed by a monster there because he saved me! I don't fight for some higher cause. I fight for my friends, and right now to do that I need to be the strongest in the world. I need to take out the monsters that could turn good men into beasts! That is my reason to fight, and it is why I do not wish to be involved in the wars. I want to stand above all of them. I want to be a symbol of hope and peace. I want people to know there is a better way of things. I want... I guess I want to be a hero. Call me naive and childish if you want but that is why I fight as I do."

Slowly, Ryuzaki exhaled. A long breath, a wind that escaped his lips in a sigh that seemed almost leaden, so heavy was the air. The warm Sacaean atmosphere almost seemed to droop, condensing into a thick and stifling mantle that shoved downward on Ryu. Almost as if he felt it physically, his shoulders sagged a bit before he heaved the cloak of remembrance off of him, shattering the shroud upon the blades of grass and speaking to his rival, one-time protégé, and, in his mind, friend.

“It’s always one thing after another.

Fight for your friends, then. Fight for them. Be that symbol. Rise up, rise against. Stand alone, above them, as you desire, as their hero, the one who brought them salvation, who shone light through the darkness and founded an era of peace, of hope, of tranquility. If anyone can embody those ideals and that way of life, it is you. Without a doubt, you have the most determination, the most dedication, the most passion for that goal.

But we differ, Vincent.

You may want to be a hero, but I wish to rend the world, tear the veil and expose the corruption. That wish will never die, that dream will never fade, and that desire will never cool. As long as you can hold a sword, you will fight for your dream world. And I… I will fight for mine.

Our worlds are not at odds with each other, nor are they mutually exclusive. But our methods are vastly separated, our innermost dreams radically different, and our modes of operation worlds apart.

This might bring us into conflict, Vincent. One day we might be forced to settle our duels, to truly hold nothing back… not even the killing stroke. And if that day should come…

I shall hold nothing back.

I respect you immensely. You are one of few people I call friend. But if you should oppose the realization of my dream, I will not hesitate. And I believe you will do the same. I do believe that it is possible for us to be friends, rivals, and men of this world who can coexist. But should we come into battle, I want you to know that I will fight with honor and the full power that I can muster from my mind, body, and spirit. I would not desecrate you by doing anything less.”

[Vincent]

The vision of Vincent's ideals in Ryu's mind sounded so lonely when described by him. His words continued to praise Vincent as though he were truly a hero embodying the ideals he spoke of. Then his words placed a wedge between the two. Ryu continued to declare just how different they were and yet similar. He reaffirmed the idea that he would fight Vincent to the death if they ever stood as enemies in a clash of ideals.

Vincent's chest tightened at everything he said. Why did it all have to come back to that, Vincent had no desire to kill another friend. If anything Vincent felt the two could work together as a sort of figure and shadow, though he would be loath to propose the idea. He just could not shake the feeling that the two were just two sides of a coin. Vincent fighting for a world of peace where life can continue on joyfully. An ideal born out of a desire for people to live the way he was able to as a child.

Ryu's desire saw him dig into the hidden filth that tore the world apart from the shadows or oppressed the people keeping them from finding happiness and exposing it, removing it. An ideal born out of his own life, and likely many pains he suffered from a young age. Deep down it hurt Vincent to see someone like him. They fought for the same core cause, for different reasons, with different methods, and... was his right?

"Ryu... if we ever fight without holding back the killing blow then we both lose." His voice was soft and solemn, moreso than he had been in quite some time. "You're insufferable and have caused me more problems than you've solved but you are my friend, and I have fought and killed enough friends to know I don't want to do it again, so do not make me." Was he cautioning or pleading? Both really, he had no intentions to lose if they fought in such a way. His words also revealed his belief that it would only happen if Ryu decided it.

[Ryuzaki]

“I do not wish to fight you either.”

Ryu sighed, looking at Vincent straight in the eyes. His face was a mixture of resignation, anger, and pity. There was a bitter, flat expression upon his lips, and he shook his head slowly, letting his silver hair sway and then flop into his face. In a sudden movement of rage, he slammed Shinryu into the earth, burying the point and a good section of the blade in the earth. The grass immediately around the tainted weapon blackened, wilted, and then crumpled down, lifeless.

“But how can we avoid it? We are like two sides of a golden coin, Vincent. Only one can show at a time, and to display one side means covering the other. The only way to see both is to stand the coin on end… and to keep it on end means it must spin, spin, spin, like a whirling dervish. How long will we chase after each other, dancing around the conflict that keeps us in motion? When will our coin fall?

And when it does…

Who will land the victor?”

Ryuzaki turned, his face now pointed away from Vincent as he spoke, the angle muffling his voice a bit but not masking the bitterness in his tone as he continued, seeming almost to shake slightly with rage and pent-up, unassuageable angst.

“Why can we not fight together? Work for a world that is truly good? Why must you be a hero, sacrificing and fighting for many who will never understand or appreciate your sacrifices, your blood, sweat, and tears that have been shed for them and their way of life they take for granted?

Why must I hide in the shadows, killing and spreading my seeds of terror everywhere I go? Why is the way of endless slaughter the path to a world where equality and fairness reigns? In my realm, I hold the blade that determines life or death, just as they hold the coins that do the same in theirs. Eventually the day of reckoning will come for us all… Is this merely another exercise in futility?”

Ryuzaki turned back to Vincent and finished his speech the final thoughts coming from his being with a frankness and truth that could cut, so raw and powerful was it.

“We are not meant to live like this, Vincent. This cup of misery was not ours to drink from. But we have accepted it… So let us together finish the vile draught it contains and fill it with pure water. Water for the life of the world.”

[Vincent]

There was little Vincent felt he could do or say to remedy the conversation. It was frustrating, so he sighed. Raising his voice now after Ryu slammed his blade into the grass he spoke his mind. "The only reason for it not to be avoided is if we make it so! You are so keen on making everything black and white! Right and wrong! Good and evil! You need to let that perspective be laid to rest!"

Vincent began to pace with hands on his hips in frustration. "You want us to take on all the pain and the role of placing judgement on ourselves. We don't have the right to play God! We don't get to say what is right and wrong! Look at Etruria, Ryuzaki! The Mad Prophet decided his way was right and now the world is suffering for it!" he threw his hand up and back down sharply before pointing at his rival.

"We ask why? Why are we on a path that cannot be allowed to work together? Why does it appear to be a road to bloodshed? Why can we continue to deny our destinies? I say it is because screw destiny! When you speak to me, you speak as though I was some great figure of myth and legend! I'm just a man Ryu! Just two years ago I was a simple farmer! I chose to walk my path and so too have you! So don't tell me we are destined to meet in battle and don't you dare tell me it is a path of futility!"

He threw away the finger and clenched his fists. "I have had enough sorrow! You can partake of the cup alone! A hero does not have to stand alone, to stand apart! I've made friends, and I have suffered and lost for it, but many more still live! I will find another way than sacrifice! I will poor out your draught of sorrow, Ryu! If you refuse to save yourself from this path, then I'll just have to knock some sense into you! Hear me now! I refuse to kill you no matter how you come for me should that happen!" He held a hard stare at the assassin.

[Ryuzaki]

A strange thing happened as Ryuzaki listened to his rival speak, watching Vincent pace and spit and point as he vehemently denounced the assassin’s position and threw his own ultimatum forth. Though one would normally be serious, perhaps upset, and certainly continue to be argumentative, Ryuzaki reacted quite unusually. As Vincent began, the assassin’s lip twitched, then the corner of his mouth turned, and then he began to smile widely. Finally, as Vincent finished, the assassin began to chortle, at first a dry chuckle that soon spread into a hearty, full laugh that for some reason seemed devoid of any mirth or joy whatsoever.

“Well, Vincent, you certainly do know how to speak. You should lead a battalion, or become the general in an army. You’d motivate the troops, give them new resolve, and certainly inspire them to fight for you… if not out of passion for your cause fear of your wrath.”

The assassin flipped a knife through the air, catching it lazily and then pointing it at Vincent in a languid motion, eyebrow raised as he sized up the Hero.

“Suit yourself. I’ll drink your share. And who knows? Maybe you’re right. Maybe everything is a shade of gray. Maybe there’s no destiny, and Fate doesn’t give a damn.

Or maybe I’m right. Maybe one day you’ll wake up to a world where privilege does not exist. Where success is measured by one’s merits and not by the wealth of one’s family. Where all can hope to have a life worth living.

Either way… I wish you luck in your quest. It’s not often that someone is so dedicated to their dreams as you are. Remember me, Vincent, when you walk through the shadows. Remember me when you see the rich prancing in the light. Remember me in the crackle of a torch, for though it casts its warmth and light before it, there is a shadow that falls behind… and there I will be. Watching. Waiting. Making my world, building my dream, block by block and kill by kill. Utopia is not free… So I’m prepared to pay the price for my dream. Are you?"