The far shore, off a ways from Colony 9, Dunban had pointed them in that direction after Egil had agreed to try and talk to Shulk, much to the chagrin of his companions. He understood, truly, wanting to just kill him and be done with it… But Egil couldn't bring himself to do that. Not without trying to talk to him.
Reyn had said Shulk came out this way to clear his head after making it back to Colony 9. Apparently he had spoken with his father figure, whomever that may be, before making his way out here. Egil had considered hunting this man down first, but… For some reason, he'd decided against it. Something about it just made it feel like it would be of no use.
So here they were, now approaching Shulk, the boy crouched by the water and clinging to the Monado for dear life. He was already that dependent on the thing? Not a good sign, but Egil could still try. No, not could, but had to.
"That's the man." Kallian's voice was quiet. "The one to kill my father and Zanza. Be careful, Egil."
"I will be." He nodded and then stepped forward, clearing his throat and speaking, firm and soft. "You are Shulk, correct?"
He turned, eyes widening and he gripped the Monado tighter. "Who are you? You're… a Mechon?!"
"Not a Mechon, a Machina." He placed a hand to his chest. "I am Egil, and I'm here to help you."
"Help me?" His face twisted with so much hate Egil almost took a step back. "What makes you think you can help me? You… you're from the Mechonis, same as the Mechon, aren't you? Then you're just as dangerous as them! You'll hurt people the same way the Mechon hurt Fiora!"
Egil did not flinch at the words, just sucked in a breath and closed his eyes. "Would Fiora agree with that, Shulk?"
"I-"
"If she would agree with us being dangerous, would she agree with the way you're going about this? Would she agree with you killing the High Entian Emperor? For killing my friend?" His voice finally broke as he thought back to Arglas's corpse. "Would this revenge bring her peace?"
"Shut up!" Shulk finally gripped the Monado as if he was ready to fight. "You don't know Fiora! You have no right to speak of her that way!"
"You're right, I don't know her. But I do know the pain of losing someone important to you to a tragedy. To want to hurt everyone, even those who had nothing to do with it." He stepped towards him, ignoring the way Shulk bristled. "I fight those feelings every day, Shulk. I'm always a step away from being just like you."
"You…" For a moment his shoulders deflated and he looked at Egil, eyes shining with tears that wanted to be spilled. For a moment, Egil was getting through to him.
But that moment did not last. Shulk once again steeled himself and, this time, cut their conversation with a strike from the Monado. Egil stumbled back, his side burning with pain as he pulled out his own weapons. Well, then. It looked like conversation was off the table.
Alvis noted every movement Shulk made, every facial feature, throughout Egil's speech to him. The Machina was close to a breakthrough, but this conversation wouldn't do it. Not now that he was on the attack… Zanza's grip was still a bit too strong.
That was fine, they would fight him this time, and Shulk would likely flee. Egil wouldn't give up, not after nearly making a breakthrough. They would be able to chase Shulk down and convince him, with enough time.
Then it would be in Shulk's hands, the future. Egil's words would either lead him to the path Alvis hoped he would take, or to more doubt for the boy. Alvis, at the moment, truly didn't know which it would be.
Of course, he could glance in the future and see, but was it not more fun to wait and see? He had big hopes for both Egil and Shulk, and half the fun of the final stretch would be seeing what they did with those hopes.
But for now, it was time to focus on Shulk and his attacks. He wasn't holding back, that much was certain… They wouldn't win this fight, Alvis thought, but that was fine. They simply had to show their own resolve.
He jumped forward, his blade meeting with Shulk's as Vanea stumbled back, Tyrea supporting her as she fell to a knee. "My, you aren't the best at listening, are you?"
Shulk looked so sad as he frowned at Alvis. "What I'm good and bad at doesn't matter. All that matters is I know what I must do."
He pushed Alvis back and Alvis hummed to himself. He was becoming strong, as expected… Good, he would need to be strong for what was to come.
Kallian and Oka flanked him, the biter contacting with Shulk's head and the spear clashing against the Monado. Shulk let out a yell and swung his blade, knocking Kallian into the wall, Oka barely dodging the attack.
Meyneth's Monado and Zanza's clashed in a spark of color as Egil took the forefront of the battle. In a way, it was tragic, like seeing the battle of the Titans playing out once again… But ah, this would ensure that battle wouldn't happen again, wouldn't it?
Alvis reminded himself of that as he and Vanea approaching from the sides, bringing their weapons down towards Shulk.
A vision seemed to warn Shulk, his eyes glowing blue as he jumped back. He readied himself for another attack and Alvis didn't need his own vision to know their defeat was about to happen.
Egil let out a yell as Shulk drove the Monado into his side. It hurt, being cut into and feeling as if the wound was cauterized at the same moment. The others had been knocked back in an attack none had seen coming and now?
Now Egil was falling to his knees as Shulk pulled the Monado free. Shulk raised the Monado above his head, staring down at Egil, and finally. Finally, those tears that had threatened to spill earlier began to fall.
"Don't…" His voice was choked as he spoke. "Please don't follow me…!"
And with that, he was turning on his heel and diving into the water, swimming away as quickly as he could. Out of sight before half the group had a chance to stand. Egil tried to follow, holding his side as the pain began to overwhelm him.
He reached out for Shulk, for the Homs he could no longer see in front of him. "Shulk…"
"Zanza…"
"Come back…!"
"Please do not do this…!"
He fell back to his knees, and knew deep in his heart that their time was running out.
