18 | Accidental Video
[Takasugi stands with his back to the camera, kimono stained with blood, and sword unsheathed. To his side, the butchered carcass of what was once a bear. He swings the blade downward, flicking the blood from its surface, and hesitates, seemingly reluctant to sheathe it just yet, choosing instead to raise it to the sunlight flickering down through the tree tops.]
Ha... ha..
[ragged breathing]
And what would you say if you could see the world you left behind now?
[bitter laughter followed by a fit of coughing]
Better maybe that you never lived to see such an abomination.
Sensei....
[He sways on his feet, feverish and lost in his own dark thoughts, turning to face the camera]
I won't- [He notices that the communicator is recording, and his expression changes rapidly from one of grief to rage, lunging at it, with sword drawn and a snarl. The recording ends abruptly.]
Ha... ha..
[ragged breathing]
And what would you say if you could see the world you left behind now?
[bitter laughter followed by a fit of coughing]
Better maybe that you never lived to see such an abomination.
Sensei....
[He sways on his feet, feverish and lost in his own dark thoughts, turning to face the camera]
I won't- [He notices that the communicator is recording, and his expression changes rapidly from one of grief to rage, lunging at it, with sword drawn and a snarl. The recording ends abruptly.]