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