duel 11. video (cw: death or dying)

[puzzlingly]

「It's been a while since he's made a video post in which he looks actually serious, he doesn't look sad for a change, just thoughtful.

When he finally speaks he does it uncharacteristically (for him) quietly, even though, firm.」

How do you deal with loss?

When people leave this place or, when you know you will never see someone you care for again?
When they pass away.
Do you try to forget about them... or... 「No, that thought actually hurts.」

What is that helps you to move on?

「If they do at all.

This has been in his mind ever since Maedhros and Celebrimbor were gone, and even way before. He didn't knew them personally, but he could see how much pain their departure had caused — only one person had made him feel that way, but it wasn't Yugi who left, it was him. Atem left them all and he cannot help but wonder, was he the cause of grief among his loved ones, the ones that survived him when he decided to give up his life, and then when he had to move on from the world of the living a second time?

He doesn't wish to think so highly of himself, but it's hard, specially when all his life the world did use to revolve around him. But he worries about those he left behind, they would be fine, wouldn't they? Heh, if only they knew he hasn't moved on at all, that he still talks to his partner in his head all the time... What a little hypocrite.」


「private text: Kaiba Seto」

Mokuba is gone.

「But Atem is sure he already knows. He doesn't expect a reply.」

Comments

Video

[puzzlingly]

「Atem has find out that a lot of people use anger, hate and resentment to fend against pain, it's easier than admit they are hurting or than they need help. Kaiba did it, maybe still does it, it's not new to him. Which is why the kid doesn't seem to be offended at all by the sarcasm.」

From what I've gathered, it's probably something no one truly gets over.

「And it's both good and bad news for him. He opened a can of worms bringing this up, he knows it.」

[stealyoursoul]

I think it depends on the type of death.

[Leo's caused a lot of others in his life and has never cared about them. But then he's done them for both pleasure and survival both. When you have to kill to eat, you become pretty inoculated to death after a certain point.]

[puzzlingly]

Death is death in the end, isn't it?

「The Gods would often overlook that, wouldn't they? It's not how they died, it's how they lived what they'd take in consideration. At least, it's what he's been taught all this time.」

[stealyoursoul]

Some are more warranted than others. I've seen too many guilty sinners that needed to be taken out of this earth.

[Don't let him get started on the subject. He'll never stop.]

[puzzlingly]

Not to those who matter, no. Their time will come eventually, and then, their sins will be judged.

「His whole culture revolves around that, it's hard not to.」

[stealyoursoul]

Sometimes, it comes sooner for others rather than later, if someone is around who is able to pass judgment.

[In other words, himself. He is judge, jury, and executioner in his own world and he will continue to pass it upon those in this one.]

[puzzlingly]

「That sole sentence has Atem glancing over the stranger with wary eyes. Once upon a time he would have the very same with such conviction that anyone could believe him. It's a job he did for a fair share of years, but now, here? He was no one to pass judgement on others, not here, he knew that now.」

Who gave you that right?

「He doubts he can do anything but kill someone, that wasn't passing judgement on anyone, that was being a murderer.」

[stealyoursoul]

Sunai were created to punish sinners and balance the state of good and evil in the world. So yes, I do have that right.

[Their powers allow them to see the state of the soul of someone, whether or not they'd committed sins which had darkened their souls beyond the point of redemption. If they were too dark, he'd take their souls, though that part more had to do with not going hungry, since that was his primary source of food.]

[puzzlingly]

「He did not say he didn't have it, he just asked who gave it to him. Alright, he'll bite, if he can fuck Caedra up, the better for him, or whatever.」

Sunai?

[stealyoursoul]

What I am. A species of monster where I'm from created when there's enough death and tragedy that it upsets the balance of good and evil.

[Hence, created to balance the scales back again, and make the wrong things right.]

[puzzlingly]

By your gods?

「He was no monster, but he was set into the world with that same purpose... God among men and all that jazz. Sounds interesting at least.」

[stealyoursoul]

By something. Gods, a random crack in the universe, whatever it was that decided humanity had run out of chances.

[Apparently, the collective sins of everyone had finally tipped the balance and started creating monsters.]

[puzzlingly]

「Once upon a time he would have agreed, no questions asked. Now... 」

There is always room for improvement.

[stealyoursoul]

For some people. But for those who commit sins they can't come back from, their souls are darkened past the point of redemption.

[He's far too cynical at this point in his life to believe that people can improve themselves.]

[puzzlingly]

I don't agree with that.

「He has brought sinners back, to be functional humans beings, caring at best; he literally crushed their minds and heart into pieces so they could put it all together again, the evil in their hearts, gone.」

There is always hope.

「Some people are just stubborn like that. Even if this place makes it all so much more difficult.」

[stealyoursoul]

So you say.

[With the underlying tone of 'I don't believe you' in his voice.]

But, I mean, have you met some of the people here? The only thing for them is death.

[puzzlingly]

「He's heard that tone before, and he doesn't give one damn.」

I have and I still believe they can change. It's worth the try.

[stealyoursoul]

So said out of misplaced optimism or trying to atone for your own dark sins?

[Wow, way to get personal real quick and fast, Leo. Never let it be said he was ever anything but blunt. Were he in person, he'd try using his abilities to make the truth come to the surface however unwillingly, but as it stands, it doesn't work over technology.]

[puzzlingly]

「And they would not work on him. There is no reaction from that taunt, he's a duelist, he's used to it, it'd look really bad on him to let that kind of cheap talk to affect him.」

I already did that. I have also seen it happen, here.

「He seems thoughtful about that, but he's not about to share, no.」

[stealyoursoul]

And what did you do that was so terrible?

[It's not likely Atem will give him a straight answer, but hey, people are unpredictable at the best of times.]

[puzzlingly]

「That does come as a surprise, since he wasn't thinking about himself. But he's not exactly a good person, he knows it, or that's what he thinks.」

It's not up to you to judge me.

「He says, tranquilly.」

[stealyoursoul]

On the contrary. I'm the best sort to judge.

[No one else could see the purity of someone's soul. He's also jury and executioner when it suits him.]

[puzzlingly]

「He's not a God. Gods don't execution when it suit them, that concept is too human.」

Not with that attitude. 「Too sarcastic, too cynical, definitely the worst type of judge.」

Besides, don't you think this place is enough of a punishment for many anyway?

[stealyoursoul]

Attitude? I don't know what you're talking about.

[See, this is what happens when a being gets created as a teenager. He's never really lost the attitude he had as a fourteen year old.]

Punishment? [He laughs.] Compared to the last two worlds I was in, this place is full of rest and relaxation. People should be thankful they have it so good.

[puzzlingly]

「He lets that pass really, there is no point. Turns out he can be a grow up from time to time, hmm.」

You should take a break then. Enjoy the vacations.