[ShiroKirishiki]

---

To be an Akatsuki is to struggle. It is to suffer, to grit your teeth, and drive your heels into the ground in defiance of fate.

For decades, I had waged war upon the world for what I thought was right.

Through scars that mounted, through every death and loss, I have remained.

Dozens of Magi were raised under my wing, given twisted truths and swept into my wish to free a Fallen Angel.

To free Her.

-

Yet, 'freedom' can mean many things. The definition shifted over these long years, as each loss and ruin brought more clarity.

My 'freedom' meant to be free from shackles, bindings on the wrists and ankles that kept one from going where they wished, being what they wished.

I gave you that vision, Ayse. A world painted black, a fresh start, free from the Light of Avalon.
So many of you followed me, but none as closely as you, my dear cousin.

-

You sought to be my mirror. You wished to echo an echo, to become something that wasn't yourself.

You succeeded. You became the past that we all must bury, you became the representation of a fallen nation of corruption and ruin.

You became me...before I learned to live without blind faith.

-

But you became something worse.
-
Something I loathe with all my heart. A selfish thing. That of senseless destruction, of thoughtless rot.

That which I promised to expunge from sight, so long as I was able...

Yet, to do so to my family? To one that has fought by my side for so many years?

I haven't the words, my dear. They always were my weak point.

After all,

I've always spoken better with my claws.

---

Date: 11/01/25

Time: 2PM EST

Place: The Ruins of Viritas

Setting: Deadly 3