Vanguard
Vanguard was shocked by Tohsaka's sudden reaction. Had he any hands, he would be fidgeting in embarrassment. Even if he frantically tried to hide it, he was definitely flustered.
Definitely.
" I... um... well, your earlier display was adequate, I believed your skills would be sufficient. It's no-"
Before he could finish, Sakura spoke up. Again, he was most surprised. He genuinely did not expect her to be so nice about it, let alone apologize. He didn't ask her anything, she didn't have to. It felt truly odd. First Roxas, now these two.
Humans...
Yes, it was most true. He had forgotten something essential today, something vital. He had met many fools already, ones that would probably detest him if he was a bit more honest. And yet, despite it's foolishness-
The human heart demands to be admired, huh?
Could it be, no doubt it was true. Yes, there was certainly a man who once believed that. That too, was the truth. He had forgotten what it was like to be human, for it had been so long. But he still knew, deep down, that he still clung to his humanity.
But it didn't mater.
The world will not change, it would not change no matter how much he perused it. It was damning, but it was the truth. That woman, he knew it was right. He knew the world would never change. He was truly like a child, wishing to bring change beyond his powers.
Funny, was he not the same who would have beaten a man and a woman for that same thing he spoke of with disdain? All of that hypocrisy, he was aware of.
But none of it mattered.
For even an instant, the doubts lingering in his heart began to grow.
Yes, he had truly forgotten something essential. Something he needed to understand. At the same time, he felt countless emotions that he would've never felt before. Regret, sadness, loathing, joy.
But they were only meaningless to his end.
All those things he considered meaningless, he bore them too. Even if he denied it, even if he tried to hide from it, he was a human. That was the truth. This wretched vessel would not change it. If humans strive foolishly, then he too did no differently. Finally, Vanguard snapped back to reality.
He had been silent for quite a moment there, Sakura had placed him on a magical circle. The inscriptions, although foreign, were such that he could understand them. He was no stranger to arcane circles.
"Excellent! Sakura, this is quite impressive!" He exclaimed, cheering for her.
Slowly but surely, his body was reforming itself. Yes, at most it would take ten minutes. He was truly glad, truly glad from the bottom of his heart. But with gladness came regret. In a way, he could only hope she could still smile so once aware of her duties.
"And Lady Tohsaka, if you want... I could teach you. You and I don't really know each other, but I can tell you are kind. You showed earlier interest for my state. If you wish, I may share with you all the knowledge I know of."
Yes, perhaps, he truly did understand nothing. It was true, he didn't know if he could stop the apocalypse. It was selfish, but even so...
It meant nothing.
Because he would do his best. Even if it wasn't enough, even if he'd fail he'd get up. Even with all these doubts, he understood one thing.
He had to fight.
And if a hundred battles bore no fruit, he'd fight a thousand. If a thousand did not bear fruit, he'd fight ten thousand. That was the life that man died for. But the truth was... he never died. He wouldn't die.
And neither would his dream.
