>>5705774"Have you ever been so overcome with your emotions, that you were incapable of coming to terms with your own foolishness?" Guts welcomes you onto his room, letting you swing on the hammock while he cleans off his metallic arm.
"Maybe, though not to the extend most have."
"Aren't you a lucky one..." Guts sighs, with a smile on his face. "You see, I've been asking myself a lot of questions now that I found the time and willingness to answer them. Back in the hill of swords, I asked Griffith if he felt a single thing when he sacrificed the Falcons, and all he replied with was 'I did not betray my dream.' The desire to squash his pretty face in with my fists trampled over the question that I really wished to ask myself: If he didn't care about us anymore, why was I bothering with all of my journey, looming over the shadow of someone who did not consider me worthy of his presence? I didn't go on a murder spree of apostles with a plan, or even for a heroic vow to save Casca and live in peace for her sake. I was just blowing off steam, all the while pouring alcohol over the bonfire."
"So you're through with imagining yourself punching a hole through his face?"
"Sometimes the thought does come over me, but as of now... I've become hardened enough to do the same as he does. Feel nothing about him, let Griffith be a mere thought out of my sight."
"You've learned how to use that sword of yours not as a weapon, but as a shield, and I commend you for that." Seeing the words come out of Guts' mouth after all these years is nothing short of satisfying, however...
"I assume you're also thinking of putting a stop to your sword fighting altogether?"
"Not forever... A falcon will keep soaring through the sky, in search of higher and higher views. A lone wolf will eventually form a pack for himself, or else he'll risk dying alone. I still plan on fighting if it means protecting Puck's little spirit buddies, or Casca and Lucio for that matter, but nothing of the scale of what we've just dealt. Sure, there is higher power to gain from tapping into my hatred, but if the blow I got from the silver eyed entity left me limping to this day, I'm not sure I want to rely on it as a crutch. It's best to quit while I'm ahead."
"Not trying to guilt trip you, but your strength would be greatly appreciated against him, if part of you still feels up to it."
No need to guilt trip the brooding swordsman, after finally making amends with the other survivor of the group and getting everything he wanted from life, it's hard to convince him to throw it all away a second time, especially given how his mind is pondering on the victims of the eclipse, and how most likely, joining them prematurely would be the last thing they wished to their captain.
"Fair enough. Knowing the God Hand, I'll still go to hell even if I live by my own just because of this stupid mark on my neck."