He didn't want to fight. After all the lives he had taken, even out of self-defense, there was nothing he abhorred more. But there were still despicable robots roaming the world, and he had the misfortune of running across them from time to time.
In fifteen years, the world had slowly begun to heal from the Ruin. Word continued to spread about Luna and robots were travelling from all over the world to see her. Some believed in what she could do, but some didn't. Robots continued to perish from the Ruin but part production was starting back up. Some had even stepped up to begin researching ways to increase lifespan and population.
Casshern watched the developments from afar. Rumors were spread about him, as well. Some thought that he was dead. Some thought that he was wandering the world, which was the truth. Some even thought that he was going around killing people. There were even those who didn't believe he existed at all.
"Casshern."
He landed quietly on his feet as the bandit fell to pieces behind him. The glow faded from his blue eyes and his face-plates slid aside so he could speak. "You are quite perceptive."
The old man picked himself up off the ground. With him he took the small box that the bandits had tried to steal from him. "No one can fight like the infamous Casshern. But the perfect human-like body also gave you away. You might want to look into some way to hide you identity. A cloak, perhaps."
The man chuckled. Casshern turned to walk away. "I would appreciate if you kept this quiet."
"Only if you sit and keep this old hunk of metal company for a while."
…
The old robot clutched the box as if it were his life force. His face was shadowed by his hood, but grey hair passed his chin and swung with his movements.
Casshern leaned against a boulder, watching the blue-green flames. The pair had sat in silence for a while, but apparently the old man had enough.
"Well, I know your name so I should tell you mine. "I'm Lucian."
He went on when Casshern didn't say anything. "It's an old human name. My creator, rest his soul, was old-fashioned. This here," he held up the box, "will give my brother his sight back."
He ran his fingers over the lid. "You sure are quiet. Not that I was expecting you to say much. I reckon with all your solitude, you've gotten used to silence. Where you headed?"
Casshern shifted and looked up, brown hair falling in front of his eyes. "Have you gone to see Luna?"
"That's okay. I bet you're a secretive person. No, me and my brother enjoy living, but not enough to want to forever."
Casshern hummed.
A while later, Lucian stood. "Well, I best be on my way. It was nice to meet you, Casshern." He put out the fire and turned to walk away, but paused. He looked over his shoulder, and Casshern got a glimpse of shockingly human-looking brown eyes glinting kindly under the hood. "You know, not everyone hates you for starting the Ruin. Some of us are thankful for the mortality. Including me. So, thank you, Casshern."
Casshern watching the man's retreating figure until it vanished into the night. Lucian had left him with many questions, and Casshern hoped that someday, they would cross paths again.
He stood and resumed his endless journey.