Vanguard
Vanguard's smile turned more genuine at their words. Both answers were correct in their own way, in that case what could settle it? What was true strength? Was there even such a thing as true strength? Was someone who would easily trample on others, even his own ideals, truly stronger than one who could fearlessly restrain oneself and protect her her friends? Was the willingness to protect one's love not stronger than the mere brute power to impose one's own?
If that was the case, could he truly call himself strong? Of course not, but he had never pretended otherwise. He had no illusion, the man called Vanguard was surely not a strong man. He had denied it countless times, but he knew better than anyone just how true it was, of course he'd lash out. Against the world, against others, but most of all against himself.
He was weak, truly weak, so weak he could not even protect a little girl on a whim. But even if he was the weakest man in the world, it didn't mean others were stronger. That weakness of his, it was because of that pathetic side of his that he would never truly lose. For you see, once you have lost all you have to lose, victory and defeat don't look so different anymore.
It all comes down to the glass being half full or half empty. He smiled and gave the girl a pat on the head.
"I think being strong is just to not give up. If you truly want something, surely that will will turn into strength, into power. Heroes in literature often face impossible odds thanks to their will. Wouldn't it be convenient if it was so simple? If all you had to do was wish for something from the bottom of your heart, to follow your path and reach for the stars."
Vanguard closed his eyes and sighed, looking past buildings and staring at the horizon blankly for a while. Yes, if spirit was what made one truly strong, then by all means he should have been invincible. The fact he did not manage to save those he loved meant that he did not truly wish to save them, perhaps they were never truly loved to begin with.
In that case then surely he should have never been a hero.
"Sorry, I've been rambling again. Surely you have better than to listen to the ramblings of a boring old man. You seem like the sort who speaks much better with a blade in hand."
Stretching, he gobbled the contents of the bowl in one go and stared at her cart blankly. Were these all her victories? For such a young age, it was a feat that could not easily be ignored.
"I look forward to witnessing it, that strength of yours. It sounds a bit rude, but I would like to become your friend, and I would like you to become mine. I can offer money and shelter, if you ask for it I will even share my knowledge. But I will only promise one thing. With me, you will become someone who can cut even the gods."
