[Dead. Somewhere in the back of Ren’s mind, deeply buried by an overwhelming list of things still to be done, obstacles still to be conquered, he knows that this must be true. It should be odd to him that he can accept that Akechi is here, so Akechi must be dead, but that he cannot accept that he is here, and so they must have met the same fate.
[The idea that his friends will soon be joining him is unbearable, and he feels his fists clench at his sides at the thought. It’s too much to bear, and the exhausted, hope-drained look on Akechi’s face only makes it all the worse.]
Goro.
[The uncharacteristically familiar name seems to echo off the space around them, firm and louder than Akechi has probably ever heard Ren speak. He wants him to hear him. He wants him to believe him when he says:]
Don’t underestimate them.
[Because even if he is dead, even if he can’t find a way, they will. He knows they will.]
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[The idea that his friends will soon be joining him is unbearable, and he feels his fists clench at his sides at the thought. It’s too much to bear, and the exhausted, hope-drained look on Akechi’s face only makes it all the worse.]
Goro.
[The uncharacteristically familiar name seems to echo off the space around them, firm and louder than Akechi has probably ever heard Ren speak. He wants him to hear him. He wants him to believe him when he says:]
Don’t underestimate them.
[Because even if he is dead, even if he can’t find a way, they will. He knows they will.]