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[ She frowns. ]

How were you able to leave the "strongest man in the world"?

[A wry grin.]

I walked onto a boat and sailed off.

But he had enough pieces still on his board...and knowing what I know now, he likely would have maneuvered things to work in his favor regardless. Not to mention my own actions may have been too late, anyway.

[ Her eyes widen look. He was just allowed to go...? ]

And what was "too far" to you? What did you see, that made you walk away?

The increased wars for one. At first they seemed to have reason, but then I realized those "reasons" were a guise for a different purpose altogether. Then the worsening condition and treatment of Bearers...

[His teeth and hand clench at this.]

They were already practically slaves, but they were also used as tools of wars... And experiments.

But any thought of trying to do any systemic change on the inside was thrown out to the proverbial sea when I saw who he was truly serving. And it wasn't for the people.

[In some ways, it feels a bit strange telling Rem this. It's a story that's not necessarily a secret, but it's not one he would share lightly, not even to Benedikta or Clive. He would if they asked, with the same reservations and emotions as he exhibits here.

But because he sees Rem in that same exact position is the reason why he feels more compelled to tell it. He's seen it, lived it, and her story has thrown so many red flags that parallel his own that he can't help but be concerned.

Now, again, he realizes there is the off chance that things could be different. Maybe this woman isn't as much of a bastard as Barnabas. But "good causes" that are achieved by sacrificing everyone else? Seeing them all as just mere fodder? For power? No, he could never get behind it, even if the person was a true saint.

Even more, Rem reminds him too much of Benedikta. The way they both remain so tight to that sense of "loyalty" to the point of blinding them of the truth. Or if not blind, makes them so they choose to ignore it. He lost Benedikta once already, couldn't convince her to change her mind. So perhaps he may also be trying to prevent that same mistake in Rem.]

[ He'd mentioned Bearers were exploited in their world, experimented on, and it seems that the man he served used them for his wars, just as he'd used Cid.

Rem's hands tighten into her skirt. It's not as if she, too, hasn't been experimented on. Not by the Archsorceress, no, but by faculty. Waking up from the anesthesia was always unpleasant, nauseating, and groggy, and she'd never know whatever the physician had done. It was uncomfortable, but she found solance with the rest of Class Zero. They were in this together, they had each other. Mostly.

Then there were the actual experiments conducted by the Sorcery department. She recalls going through their labs, seeing the caged creatures there. Every corridor had the haunting sound of blood dripping into shallow pools upon the floor.

If that could make someone walk away...

But the Archsorceress helps them. She gives them access to the Altocrystarium. She makes them stronger. She alone could bring them back from the dead... up until she decided she wouldn't be doing so anymore. She must love Class Zero-- at least, everyone besides Rem and Machina. Yet Rem still feels that same trust and devotion for her as if she's known her for far, far longer. Surely, the Archsorceress doesn't mean to use her children like this man did with Cid. ]

Who was it for, then? Why was he doing these things? You said-- he told you, "changing the world".

It was for his own goals, for "salvation." but it was also to serve the one who created the Mothercrystals and the Eikons. A being who was willing to drain the world, end humanity, and rebuild it to its own vision.

[ A revelation like that doesn't slide a quiet gasp from Rem. ]

But... but of course. Of course you-- and anyone-- would have to fight against a being like that. There's no other choice.

The thing is, however, I didn't know the full the extent of everything or even who that creature was when I left and decided to change things on my own. Not even before I died.

[ She lowers her gaze. ]

You never got closure.

[ ...And as far as Rem knows, Cid doesn't know if all of his efforts were in vain. At least Clive, Jill, and Benedikta are here for him. Perhaps they come from a different time. ]

I... can understand. That hurts, doesn't it?

[Something of a wry grin as he looks at her.]

I've heard some things so I have some. Though I do wish I could have punched him in the face when I have the chance.

[He managed to throw a mop head so that's something.]

But otherwise, no. Because by the time I did die, I had already done all I could, started that initial push to set that boulder rolling, and set the stage for my successor to continue. I had faith that he would succeed—and he did. But even if I didn't know, I still would hold onto that faith.

...You must be proud. [ There's a small smile in return. So he's gotten some word of the future, something she's glad for. (And, gee, who could his successor be. Not another Dominant who used the name "Cid" at the cat café.)

But she sees that trait of his once again, the peace he harbors in death and accepting it for what it is. ]

I suppose it's all one can do to hope for those who come after.

[He is being vague on purpose, but he expects she'll figure it out. But there is a warmer smile that breaks through the heaviness that had built up before.]

Aye, I am. But I also had the many years of experience and time to deal with. You on the other hand...

[He now shifts the focus back on her. Because, after all, this is ultimately about her. He told his story, but only to give her something to relate to—and more reason to share hers. A little underhanded, knowing she would feel more compelled after he's opened his hand, but if it will help things along then so be it.]

How did you die?

[ Her smile fades somewhat, turning rueful. Rem leans again the back of her chair. ]

…Guess you figured it out.

[ She needs a moment. She’s just trying to be strong. ]

[There's a softer look.]

Unfortunately. But take your time.

[Because he's going to light up a cigar since he really needs one after all that.]

Need some water or anything?

Oh, um, sure. [ Rem nods her head to the offer. She'll be needing it, with all the talking she's doing. At least it doesn't feel as if she's being grilled by a commander.

Still, this particular topic is not one she's exactly ready for. But if she can force herself through this... ]

You should know it wasn't the first time. When I say Class Zero was privileged among the soldiers, they truly were. When any of our Class fell, we had to carry their bodies back to a town. The first time it happened, I didn't understand why. I could hardly believe it, but the Archsorceress brought them back to life. It was a feat reserved only for Class Zero. She did this for all of us... until one day, she stopped.

[ And the timing couldn't have been more horrific. It happened as Tempus Finis commenced-- the end of the world.

She draws in a breath. No one knew it would happen. No one. Prophecy, her foot. "When nine and nine meet nine--" No. The year 999 was over a century a away! Why did the skies and seas turn red? Why did it hail meteors? Why were so many slaughtered by the Reavers? She didn't, and still doesn't understand... And she supposes she never will, now that she's here.

Her eyes shut tightly. ]

I was already dying anyway, though.... and then when I left to fight one last time, I was killed. And that-- that was it.

[He'll get up to grab the pitcher of water nearby along with two glasses to fill one for himself, and he'll quietly serve the water as she speaks, sliding it over to her side.

But one he sits back, there's just a high rise of his brows at that. They were...being brought back to life? A theory forms in his mind, but first...]

What were you dying from?

[ When he asks his question, she opens her eyes, woken from her thoughts. Rem considers how to answer as she continues to look at the hands in her lap. Her nerves have quieted, but in its place is defeat. ]

Some sort of… cough and weakness.

No one knows what it really is, but I had it since young. A mutant malboro made by the enemy Empire attacked the village, back then. It might have been that… [ There’s some doubt in her voice, though. Even if a wretched monster spewing disease and poison is the best theory, it doesn’t explain how she didn’t exhibit the same symptoms as the other infected townsfolk at the time. Or that Machina, who survived the attack with her, was unaffected.

The origins don’t matter to her so much as that it affects her, and this all reminds her, in part, why she wants to make something that can function as the Altocrystarium.

Slowly, she raises her gaze. She doesn’t mean to be helpless. She refuses to be idle so long as her body works. It is why she’s been trying all this time to become stronger, to gather phantoma, and to find something she could use instead of the Altocrystarium. ]

Even the Archsorceress couldn’t figure it out.

[ ~~because she was one who cursed her~~ ]

[There's a small stretch of silence as he bring his cigar to his lips, the smoke rolling slowly around his mouth before he slowly exhales.]

And you're the only one who had this? No one else?

I am. [ She’s the “only one” of Class Zero for other things, too. Only one to be able to siphon the soul from a living being, not just the dead. Only one to— ]

You look like you’re trying to puzzle something together.

A bad habit of mine.

[A wry grin, but he's still contemplative.]

It could be nothing. However you have your own doubts to the cause, so it could be something else. Then again, I have no knowledge so I couldn't even begin to speculate.

My bigger question is—are you certain you are still afflicted by it?

I'm pretty certain. [ Now that she thinks about it, it does seem less severe than it had been in her world. Although, she's not sure if it's because she's in this world, or that her illness has been reset to an earlier time before her death.

Her hand rises to touch her chest just above her heart. ] I've already had a flare once.

[...Damn. He was hoping it would be like himself where the curse is either gone or completely reset, he's not yet sure.]

What are the symptoms?

Progressive weakness, malaise, and a cough, often bloody. Before my last mission, it got to the point I was chair-ridden.

[ Needless to say, telling him this to garner sympathy. She's trying to avoid being useless! And also not die again. ]

...You remember what it's like to die, don't you?

[His expression hardens.]

Aye. Especially when those symptoms are quite similar to our own curse and what I was going through. Just without the turning to stone for you, even being bound to a chair is not so different for those who are advanced into it.

[He also knows what she's trying to do, but he'll wait and let it play out.]

I can't remain idle. I have to help myself.

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