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Akule's voice is quiet now, barely picked up on the microphone. You are listening to what he is saying, you find this fascinating from a historical perspective, but you think that his philosophy, while integral to the Hegemony, may not be the end-point of your race's thinking.
<span class="mu-r">”...What a cruelty it is. To birth men into this world and to have them struggle again and again against a foe they cannot possibly defeat. To be born with more dream then life. I couldn't let you experience that, my friend...”</span>
From the strange object on the floor from the start of the video, the can opens and Akule pours some kind of oil over his head. He looks at the camera with a terrifying gaze, his mania gone and replaced again with his insurmountable determination.
<span class="mu-r">”I am now 60 years old. I will not live much longer. But even if my body can subsist, my mind will not. I grew up in a world ruled by out of touch, mindless geriatric corpses, too concerned with themselves and set in their ways to know how to lead a nation. I refused to become one of them. I have already named my successor, and my Mask remains to you- young Supreme, if you have need of it. Remember it well, for it is the symbol of our race's victory against Leviathan. Now watch closely, and see if you can spot the frame of this video where my spirit takes flight.”</span>
The lighter in his off hand ignites, the chemical accelerant covering his body igniting instantly. Akule's body burns, fire consuming him rapidly as he sinks to his knees. You watch in horror, the brightness of the sudden burn causing you to nearly feel the heat thru the screen. Amazingly, Akule makes no more noise. He does not cry or whimper in pain, he is absolutely silent. He holds his arms at his side like a statue. The only time you heard him breathe was the soft raspy choking when his throat's lining boiled to nothing. Akule sinks down to the floor as his body softly smolders, the legend now dead from suicide. Then, the video ends. You leave the room to see the agents of Hegemonic control waiting for first command, and a tailor ready to begin taking measurements for your imperial robes.
It is now the present day. You remain <span class="mu-s">Hass Takar</span>, just a bit older and wiser.
Because of your decision to simply <span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-i">accept the economic downturn</span></span>, the Hegemony falls behind many of its stated goals and benchmarks for its economic and military advancements. This has secondary impact on your cultural impacts and citizen morale, which has found itself feeling less confident for the time being.
