About a year ago, I tried to take over the world.
I'm no longer sure why, Hell tends to rob you of most of your memories.
But, of course, I was stopped. By a skinny little half-grown kid without a purpose who should have been on my side anyway. He had allies, but they were mainly for support, making sure that no underlings got in the way of our fights.
Looking back, I can see quite clearly where I made my mistake. If I had talked to him, instead of fighting, I'd be sitting on a throne made of human bones right now. If I'd phrased it right, he would have followed me without a second thought, and gladly too. Well, as glad as a kid like that ever is.
The blond kid knew, I could see it in the way he looked at him. Probably didn't know what he knew, but he was a lot more perceptive than anyone ever gave him credit for.
Sanada Ryo. Amago-Mikami no Hariel. Same thing. He's a demon, and a powerful one at that. The rightful lord of the lands that I held in the demon realm.
Come to think of it, he probably would have just killed me and gone right on like he is now. It's not like he ever needed my help. Or anyone else's for that matter. To win this war, Kaosu and I both had to have him, but he didn't need either of us.
Funny. I never noticed it before.
Kaosu was so terrified that Ryo would 'repeat his past mistake' that he forced him into being on his side. He knew that Ryo could become the next demon lord, if he really wanted to, and he thought that the yoroi would ensure his commitment to the cause of Light.
The kid's dead inside, but he's still aware. Still angry. Still powerful enough to do something about it. Just like Hariel. They're the same in so many ways that the soul doesn't even really count anymore.
I think, when it comes down to it, that every person to bear the Kikoutei has a death wish. I think that it's somehow part of the qualification process. They have to be willing, even downright happy, to die for what they're fighting for.
Kaosu created what he hoped to prevent. I could see it even then.
And so, I laughed as I died, consumed by that child's spirit, the most powerful soul that I have ever known.
Their savior will be their downfall.
The pieces are already moving, the boy is sick and tired of being manipulated.
With the blond by his side to help him feel again, he'll be unstoppable.
I died laughing at the irony.