hadriel | duel 4. ( video ) If my armor breaks I'll fuse it back together

「Atem comes up on the screen, looking more than exhausted, with big bags under his usually fiery eye(s), the Millennium Eye in his left socket, however, keeping its cold, golden appearance, imperturbable as ever. He does not look at the screen then he starts speaking, his normal eye, empty, as he looks at something else. A someone, in fact, but he will not show Kain's body on the feed, however, it would be terribly disrespectful.」

My friends, my comrades, hear me out–! 「He starts, his voice nearly broken, but starts taking strength after a few words.」 Most of you don't know me, but I already think of you as my friends, as my family! We all are, in the end, in this together! Together, until the very end, until we are victorious.

「He finally looks at the screen, a little fire showing in his eyes at last, his words firmer, passionate as he goes on.」

And I assure you, we will be, because I believe in every one of you!

I know it hurts, I know it's hard, that this is not your fight, but they've made it so! You will rest your tired bones and your tired souls when they are all gone. We will mourn those who haven't been returned to us when the time comes. Because–they will be back.

You have fought for yourselves, for those you love, for a future that has yet to come, for Hope and the hope in your heart.

And that's why I come to you today, to plead you to give me your hope, your rage and your sadness, the love for those you're fighting for — give me everything you've got and let us give one last stand! Only one more, I promise you — send the Null this message, let them know that we are not going down! Not today, not ever! Because we are in this together!

Just a little more, my friends... It will be over, soon.

「That's it, that is all he says, one last look at Kain's body before him and he brings the feed to an end.」

( private: Law )

... Tell me you're still alive...

「Unlike his previous message to the whole Network in which he seemed to gather strength as he went on, he looks absolutely crushed.

Why Law, though? Why not Delmar, why not Lup or even Bakura, why not the rest of his friends? Because Atem has witnessed two of the strongest men he's ever known, die right in front of him...」

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「Atem hadn't really thought about the implications of what he simply had to say, he spoke from the heart, that was all, but this person says it might help, it gives him a little hope.」

I'm fine.

「He has to be, even though he hadn't moved from the spot where his friend died.」

[There's a very gentle smile in Tatara's tone, meant to be more soothing than anything else.]

I see. Well, that's at least something.

But, you know... it's okay, too, if you aren't alright. Being strong all the time doesn't mean being unbreakable. You're allowed to hurt, too. I think, if you feel pain, you shouldn't feel like you have to hide it.

Sometimes... getting your strength from others will make you even stronger in the end, that's what I think.

I know the clinic has its hands full right now, but if you feel like coming in for a break, I can make you something warm to drink. If only so you can catch your breath.

[That's the guise, at least, to help Atem come in for a little while. He's certainly not going to pester the other man to say or do anything he doesn't want to. But, if he can even bring him some ease, then that's something.]

...

「Atem listens and... well, it sure makes him pause for a moment, his thoughts, what he's doing — he bites his lower lip when he feels his throat shut, he swallows, hard. There is nothing he wouldn't wish to do more than rest and forget for a moment. But he doesn't have time for this.」

I can't. Not yet. You better keep your hands free for someone who really needs it.

Alright. I'll keep a space open for you, if you change your mind. And don't push yourself too hard. You're already doing a great job, so don't worry.

My name is Tatara, by the way. So you can ask for me specifically, if you'd like.

I don't know if I'm doing a good job or not but... All I'm trying to do is... I don't know, I know it's childish, maybe, to hope no one else dies, but...

「He cannot be everywhere, unfortunately. Just like Law said, you cannot save them all.」

Thank you, Tatara.

「A bit of a pause.」

My name is Atem.

Pleased to meet you, Mr. Atem.

But I don't think it's childish. If anything, it shows you care. And that's not a bad thing, is it? I can't imagine having hope and helping others is going to leave you worse off than accepting that suffering happens. In fact, I think you'll be better off trying to help others, and motivating them to help others. You're already doing alot of good.

[And just because you've lost some of them doesn't mean you've failed at all.]

Just keep doing your best, no one can fault you for that.

And, as long as we win the war, they'll come back eventually. The ones who've fallen, I mean. Maybe that can ease your burden a little.

「Mister... He can't hold a bit of a breathy chuckle, it sounds a little silly.」

It does...

「He swallows, hard. Who is this person? Where does he find the strength and conviction to support those words? He wants to know...」

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart...

[Honestly, his secret is that he's not afraid to lose anything. Not his family, his adoptive family, HOMRA, or his life. And, as far as he's concerned, having his naturally detached perspective allows him to say kind, yet honest words to the people that need it the most.]

Any time. If you decide you need anyone to talk to, you can call on me as well. Reaching me shouldn't be a problem.

[The only person he goes out of his way to ~~tease~~ communicate with is either on the battlefield or dead right now, so his lines should be pretty open.]

But do remember to rest when you can. Those you've helped will surely help you. I'm willing to bet you can count on that.

I will. I will...

「Dude stop... you're too nice.」

I'll find you when I can.

「And he's gone.」

duel 4. ( video ) If my armor breaks I'll fuse it back together

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