"You are Emil, not Aster. The two of you only share a resemblance."
Richter had first approached Emil because of his impossible resemblance to his deceased friend but as soon as the timid boy had opened his mouth he knew it was all a lie. Aster had never been awe-struck by Richter, and likewise Richter had never had to save Aster. The young scientist had always been so confidant in himself and brimming with faith for others. It was these two things that Emil so lacked and that infuriated Richter the most.
It was wrong, all wrong. That he could look so like Aster and act like Richter had when they first met.
Perhaps the first time Emil deliberately disobeyed him was when he decided to protect Marta. He was firm about sparing the girl's life, and that should have been the end of that, yet Emil seemed to contain an eternal wellspring of admiration for his older mentor.
At Emil's insistence their paths continued to cross more and more often. Richter was able to witness first hand the metamorphosis he slowly went through.
"You told me nothing would ever change if I just stayed inside my shell and I've been thinking about those words."
Even if Richter had been part of Emil's change it didn't negate the fact they were enemies. No matter how he grew, no matter what kindness he showered upon the solemn Richter, Emil was still caging the power of a monster inside his body.
And Richter's hate for that summon spirit drowned any affection he held for the boy who was all-too-quickly becoming a man.
Yet, learning of his true identity hurt almost as much as losing Aster.
Why had Ratatosk taken Emil from his as well?
"I won't ask for your forgiveness, you can curse me from hell instead."
Ratatosk had always been Emil. Emil had always been Ratatosk. Both of them had taken the guise of Aster.
Perhaps it was fate for Richter to become so interwoven in all three.
The wheel turned, time pressed on, but Richer would not be deterred. After all this time he could not afford to rethink this path in life, even if it meant killing Emil and all he had stood for.
Perhaps he was merely an illusion created by Ratatosk to confound him, Richter did not doubt the possibility. He would save Aster, and take Emil's life to do so, but he would not return to either of their sides.
For just as Aster's image had once rippled across that hesitant and trusting face. Richter would no doubt always see Emil in the resurrected Aster. He would have forever been haunted by the life and love of that gentle boy.