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[Ren's room has been vacated. Scarce personal possessions have been moved elsewhere, and the whole place looks like if no one ever lived there, left in a pristine condition.
The horned person can still be found in a Unity Group base, head bowed in prayer in front of the wall of rememberance. Ren wears the same robe they were first found in. Even the gunshot hole and the bloodstains are there.]
Seeing even one person die in front of my eyes, their life lost - when I had means of preventing it... it makes me feel guilty. It's a selfish emotion because it makes you feel bad for yourself rather than the one who just died. But we are inherently self-centered beings. Aren't we?
[As their eyes open, Ren smiles sadly.]
My time draws close. I know I am going to die - not exactly when, not yet, but it will be soon. And I know where it will happen. I really doubt the circumstances will be peaceful, so I already informed Roland. We will do everything we can to ensure no further tragedy strikes.
...
I am really happy we could have met. Thank you for everything.
The horned person can still be found in a Unity Group base, head bowed in prayer in front of the wall of rememberance. Ren wears the same robe they were first found in. Even the gunshot hole and the bloodstains are there.]
Seeing even one person die in front of my eyes, their life lost - when I had means of preventing it... it makes me feel guilty. It's a selfish emotion because it makes you feel bad for yourself rather than the one who just died. But we are inherently self-centered beings. Aren't we?
[As their eyes open, Ren smiles sadly.]
My time draws close. I know I am going to die - not exactly when, not yet, but it will be soon. And I know where it will happen. I really doubt the circumstances will be peaceful, so I already informed Roland. We will do everything we can to ensure no further tragedy strikes.
...
I am really happy we could have met. Thank you for everything.
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I cannot be killed, poisoned, starved... but there are ways for even someone like me to die.
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Sorry, that was a joke. I feel mental pressure, a sensation like nothing I experienced before. Yet I know what it means perfectly well. It's... really hard to describe. But if I were to use one word, it'd be...
Clarity.
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My feelings are those of extreme certainity. I am very sure of this, as sure of me breathing or being here.
But it's still possible I am wrong.
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...Let me tell you this. At times, you can be a bit infuriating to deal with. Your pursue universal love to the point of foolishness. Your spirituality has no reflection in real life. And it would really help if you actully got angry once in a while.
But none of this means I do not respect you. Or that I regret having met you. You are much stronger than one would assume, and you use all of this strength to do good. I want your prediction, this feeling pre-programmed into your genetic code, to be wrong.
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But that this the kind of person you are. This is the person that I love. Hetepheres - I love you... and everyone else, but you already knew that, didn't you?
And what you said means a lot to me. It really, really does.
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Live, Ren Ubuntu. And if you have to die, make sure to die for a good reason.
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[Volya nods weakly, trying to think of something to say. Anything. When he couldn't he simply just closes his eyes and hugs Ren tightly.]
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[Ren looks down on the young boy, returning the hug.]
I really wish I could stay with you, stay much longer than how short our days together were. But there are others than just me, right? You have friends. You are not alone.
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[He's still losing a friend. It still hurts... yet... in the end there isn't anything he can do... is there?]
...We'll miss you... 'Teritus 'n me... 'n everyone you helped..
[Volya hiccups weakly at the end of it, he can't cry. He can't. Ren and Seta are already... he can't show them any tears.]
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Now... I need you to be strong. It's not for myself, it's for others. Can you promise me this?
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[As long as he can remember her... easy enough to say but what about when it actually happens? Could he bear it? Would it be enough?]
I...
[He could say no. He wanted to yell. He wanted to just scream at everything. He wasn't strong at all, he couldn't make this promise, why was everything like this?]
... Okay...
[But what one wants to do and what they feel they know is right to do have and always will be two different things.]
Okay...I'll try...
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But, nothing will last forever. Will it?
The best thing we can do... is to enjoy those rare precious moments we had together.
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I'm sorry. I know I have a lot to apologize for, and now I am going to leave you. I wish we could talk much more, about all kinds of things...
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[Eva's voice is shaky and almost cracking as she speaks. Her hands are balled up tightly into fists, and staring holes into the floor.]
Just...don't.
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If you don't sacrifice yourself...nobody will be upset.
There are...people who need you here, too...
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But this is not something I do because I want to. I never chose to throw my life away on a whim. It's just that if I don't do it, a horrible tragedy will strike. Many more people will lose their homes, their families, their lives.
One life for many. That is a fair exchange, isn't it?
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[A few tears hit the ground. Eva's hands, clenched too tightly for too long, drip tiny bits of blood as her fingernails dig into her palms.]
I don't know them. I don't...
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Everyone knows someone, someone who will feel sad if you die. And that death often comes out of nowhere, without warning or any opportunity to change things.
[Ren approaches Eva, measuring up for a comforting hug. They act with slowness, giving her a chance to react before it actually happens.]
There are more people who know you, Eva. Even when I am no longer here, they will be. And they will be able to help you. But also, ask for your help.
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No, that's not...I don't...I don't...
[She accepts and returns the hug, quietly resting in Ren's arms. She doesn't speak up until well after Ren is finished.]
...Ren, I don't love those people.
That's why...I don't want you to do this. Even if it's some mission, or destiny, or saves many people...just this once, can you put yourself first?
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I am not choosing to die.
[Ren lets go, gently. Hard to look the other person in the eye otherwise.]
It is not my choice to sacrifice myself. I simply... know the time is coming. I can't help it. It's like the mythical Cyclops, cursed with no knowledge other than the exact time of his own death.
Though, I will not call myself infallible. After all, my special ability is not a curse.
So it is possible I am wrong. And...
And I will do anything I can to stay alive. Once again, death is not my choice. Life is.
Is that okay with you?
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No, I don't...
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You see... I won't just lie down in bed and disappear one day, will I?
What I am expecting is a big struggle, a fight. We need to prepare for it.
The better prepared we are, the better our odds. Better chance that everyone will return home alive and well.
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...so, uh, good morning, lady. My name's James Allensby. Sergeant under Major Kagura.
I was asked by the Major to pass on a message, since she can't properly give it because, you know. It's, well, very much from the Major, if you know what I mean. Sorry. Do you want it?
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Anyway, of course. I'll gladly accept it. Let's see what Kagura has to say.
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[And with that, Allensby slaps Ren across the face. Though it's a rather half-hearted slap, and he catches Ren immediately, stabilizing her again carefully as if worried he might have actually hurt them. Cybernetically enhanced killer he may be, but sucker slapping someone does not make him happy]
The rest of the message goes as follows. Please keep in mind I'm quoting. [James coughs a little as he tries to remember the text as exactly as possible] Ahem.
"Who the fuck do you think you are, Ubuntu? Do you want a cross for that martyr complex of yours?
So you were genetically created to die now? So it's your destiny? Well I was mechanically created to be decorative weaponry and you don't see me taking that lying down. Get your head out of your ass and listen to your gut - you don't want to die, and that's not egoism, that's the correct instinct. Nobody ever saved anyone by going in deciding to take death lying down.
Destiny is what you make of it, Ubuntu. And the best thing you can make Destiny is a bloody corpse smoking on the ground."
...and end of message. [Allensby looks a bit bothered by the whole thing] If I may, lady? The Major has a point. Can't go into a fight already having decided in your stomach you're going to die. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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[Ren makes a surprised noise as they're slapped across the face, almost losing balance in the process. They listen to the rest of the message hunched slightly down, hair obscuring their face.]
Ha...
Ha ha.
Ha ha ha!
[Ren starts to laugh. The laughter is genuine and jovial, without a hint of bitterness.]
It's really like her! That's Kagura I know! I can really see why she chose someone to play messenger for her.
Yes, James - she really does have a point. In fact, I'd like to relay a message back, if it's not too much trouble. Or, I could just say it myself if she's not too far away. Anyway, here goes:
"Your message was understood very clearly by me. It was never my choice to die. There is no need to worry about me - it looks like I've decided to try to live, instead."
"By the way, and I ask you to take my next words as nothing else but what they are meant to be - a highest compliment. Major Kagura, you are the most optimistic jerk I have ever met."