(We can assume Daegal's collected them. The main one is Ascalon, and it's extremely difficult for you to wield it, at any rate.)
> [X] "We need to push on. Find Pazuzu, and finish this."
A nod. Your only answer. It seems like forever, since the fight began; the wail of codebursts, the thunder of explosions. Only now, in the desolation of after, does the reality of the mission descend upon you once again.
> [X] "Will Rook - After this, will he still...?"
"-Be controllable?"
That's not what you meant.
"Maybe." The hiss of static shivers the air, as the word lingers, uncertain. The emberous glow in the Thief's eyes flicker. "With the right stimuli."
"You-" Daegal doesn't need to breath, but you hear his hydraulics whirr as his voice shakes. "-Like an animal, you mean," Kazuya says, a sick note to his voice. "Like a dog trained by beatings-"
Totenaz turns. He merely stares at Daegal, until Daegal drops his gaze.
> [X] "Daegal. Look away."
Daegal starts. In that moment, it is achingly clear that it is Kazuya beneath the armor - Kazuya, in spite of it all. He pauses, mid-step, his fists curling around Ascalon...The great sword dragging behind him, as he hoists it upright, his armor's gravimetric suspensors humming as they pick up the slack.
He wipes at his mouth-grille with his sleeve, with a brittle clash of metal-on-metal.
> "Kazuya, I know how disturbing this is, but, quite frankly, it got nothing on what Alura has done up until now. You should have seen what she did to Rook and his team."
"-I know," he says, heavily. "I know."
Another sound. This time, he doesn't flinch.
For a moment, it looks like he's about to turn away-
Then-
"You lied, user," he says. His voice is thick, heavy with static, as if the words curdle in his speakers. "-About Yui."
(Continued)