It was the dead of night and the Steward went to the surface by himself. He wore his breather and surveyed the storm from Deadline. This damnable storm. Twice it ruined his lungs. It damaged the MkII heavily. The Steward's gaze shifted in the general direction of Sungakure. His beloved homeland which he was locked out of. Who knew what terrors and acts of evil were perpetrated in the depths of the realm. I warned you not to go out by yourself. Spoke Shade. The spirit of Sousuke's sword phased in. The form was more ethereal than solid. The usual haunting look of an entity garbed in black and grey robes, and hooded. "I'm never alone. You're with me in some form or another... speaking of which... the status of...?"</I><i></i> Sousuke referred to the part Shade which was far more physical and independent. No. Usually there is a sort of lingering presence, something ... but there is nothing.<i></i> Sousuke paused, and then thought the worst. "Dead?"<i></i> Silence. A possibility. The answer.
You've changed Sousuke.<i></i> Silence. I do not know if it is for the better in the long run.<i></i> A stillness. You've been very fortunate Sousuke. You are a kind individual. Not ruthless. You've been merciful, but sometimes that mercy will not be returned.<i></i> A pause. "Magnetica."<i></i> Shade would nod his head. Yes. Sousuke. Yes. There is a very high possibility she may be out there trying to claim a throne that you do not think belongs to her. It may come to down to destroying her.<i></i> The Shade produced a replica version of the Ebon Blade, the weapon turned from a sword to an executioner's axe. "I will win this war in my own way."<i></i> Sousuke answered him. He knew what Shade was saying to him. Can you? Can you really win this war? The blood of a few can save thousands. The Cabal must pay with their lives ... and their souls. Time froze. "Do I have to become you in order to win?"<i></i> Came the inquiry. We have shared the same flesh Sousuke. You have become me, and I have become you. It may in fact come down to the simple concept of you having to become me in my full entirety.<i></i> The Steward did not flinch, he did not move at the concept of it. In the battle against the Djinn he had given permission for the full form to take shape. The Djinn was a great evil, and it was responded to in kind. It was still a group effort. Even against those who tortured Okibi, Sousuke was drawing upon almost the entirity of the ebon blade to best that foe. For your consideration my Lord. Something for you to think about.<i></i>
"If your other half is truly deceased. Can you truly operate without him?"<i></i> Shade seemed to stir. His hooded head would turn skyward. Despite the storm, Shade could see the stars in the sky. Possibly. Shade was present for Sousuke's first dream between an older Aki and Seitoshi. Ironically Seitoshi's alternative name too was Shade, but they were very different people. Shade understood the influence that moment had. I know you will not underestimate your foe. Your methods though may need revisiting. It is not checkmate until their king falls. No. Not fall. Obliterated. Blotted out. It may not even end there, it may take Queens, Bishops, Knights, Rooks. All the pieces shattered. Sousuke reflected upon what Shouki had said. If a Cabal agent died, many would die in turn. <I>Some will die so that others may live.<i></i> Sousuke shook his head. "I will make that decision, and it may yet be that no on dies."<i></i>
(OOC: This is just some downtime that Sousuke is having with his sword's spirit, topic entered and left)
You've changed Sousuke.<i></i> Silence. I do not know if it is for the better in the long run.<i></i> A stillness. You've been very fortunate Sousuke. You are a kind individual. Not ruthless. You've been merciful, but sometimes that mercy will not be returned.<i></i> A pause. "Magnetica."<i></i> Shade would nod his head. Yes. Sousuke. Yes. There is a very high possibility she may be out there trying to claim a throne that you do not think belongs to her. It may come to down to destroying her.<i></i> The Shade produced a replica version of the Ebon Blade, the weapon turned from a sword to an executioner's axe. "I will win this war in my own way."<i></i> Sousuke answered him. He knew what Shade was saying to him. Can you? Can you really win this war? The blood of a few can save thousands. The Cabal must pay with their lives ... and their souls. Time froze. "Do I have to become you in order to win?"<i></i> Came the inquiry. We have shared the same flesh Sousuke. You have become me, and I have become you. It may in fact come down to the simple concept of you having to become me in my full entirety.<i></i> The Steward did not flinch, he did not move at the concept of it. In the battle against the Djinn he had given permission for the full form to take shape. The Djinn was a great evil, and it was responded to in kind. It was still a group effort. Even against those who tortured Okibi, Sousuke was drawing upon almost the entirity of the ebon blade to best that foe. For your consideration my Lord. Something for you to think about.<i></i>
"If your other half is truly deceased. Can you truly operate without him?"<i></i> Shade seemed to stir. His hooded head would turn skyward. Despite the storm, Shade could see the stars in the sky. Possibly. Shade was present for Sousuke's first dream between an older Aki and Seitoshi. Ironically Seitoshi's alternative name too was Shade, but they were very different people. Shade understood the influence that moment had. I know you will not underestimate your foe. Your methods though may need revisiting. It is not checkmate until their king falls. No. Not fall. Obliterated. Blotted out. It may not even end there, it may take Queens, Bishops, Knights, Rooks. All the pieces shattered. Sousuke reflected upon what Shouki had said. If a Cabal agent died, many would die in turn. <I>Some will die so that others may live.<i></i> Sousuke shook his head. "I will make that decision, and it may yet be that no on dies."<i></i>
(OOC: This is just some downtime that Sousuke is having with his sword's spirit, topic entered and left)