▽
“Tch!”
Future Rekka broke free of Yuuhi’s grip, knocking her to the ground. He looked down at her, biting his lip.
I may have held back earlier, but she still managed to get up again... She really is another version of myself, huh?
Parallel worlds were mirrors of one another. It wasn’t as though Yuuhi had needed to tell future Rekka that. He knew it instinctually upon seeing her.
But readying himself again for the battle at hand, he looked his body over for any damage. Nothing seemed of concern. His left arm had been broken, but he’d already swapped it out for a replacement.
It’s been a while since I struggled so much in a fight.
After obtaining so many powers and abilities, future Rekka had become strong enough that he outclassed any and all opponents he faced. No story posed an obstacle for him. As soon as he learned the premise, he could handle the rest on his own with ease. He’d become a deus ex machina that forcefully and decisively solved whatever impossible task was at hand. But he didn’t pride himself on that matter. Being able to resolve stories quickly and efficiently was simply the best option. It didn’t particularly rub him the wrong way that this fight—this story—wasn’t quick and efficient. It had just been some time since he’d had a close fight with an opponent.
“...”
Upon having that thought, future Rekka corrected himself internally. It was Yuuhi who had a close fight with him.
I was the one who wanted things this way.
Maine’s world and Sith’s world. His world and the other. When weighing the two, future Rekka had picked the former. Of course, he hadn’t chosen it simply because he was prioritizing what was his. It was still an anguished decision. Perhaps that was why it felt right to suffer so for this story. It shouldn’t end so easily. He wanted to feel like he’d somehow managed to save everyone at the end of a long, harsh battle that cost him blood, sweat, and tears. Otherwise, it would just be too terrifying... Deciding the fate of a world was a scary thing, after all.
“Ugh...”
Future Rekka shook his head. There was no point in trying to fool himself.
All that’s left is to defeat my past self... and it’s over.
Thinking about it, though they were from different worlds and timelines, there were three Namidares in this room. There were three of them, and yet this was the ending they were about to get. This was the best they could do. It was laughable. Perhaps this was how it was meant to be. Perhaps his past self was right... Even if you had enough power to change the fate of the world, there was only so much you could do on your own.
“Damn it... Did I made a mistake somewhere?” future Rekka spat, directionlessly venting his frustration. “If so, I just need to set you straight.”
“...”
There, future Rekka raised his hand against his past self.