What we do here is go back back back

Artist: Final Fantasy 13-2 OST - Song: The Last Hunters (Battle Theme) - Word Count: N/A

Stefan merely shrugged off Ulv's criticisms of his statements and responded with more of his thoughts on the matter. "No ideal or ideology is without flaw. Sure, I acknowledge shit could be better for people if they didn't have to live in life or death conflict and war. But the world we live in is harsh and unapologetic, it doesn't care if you're not given more opportunities. The only way to stand against the tide is to be unmovable, stronger than the torrent, and that is an opportunity I am willing to fight for." After considering her statements again, he figured she had a point he had likely lost touch with what it's like to not have overwhelming strength. To not be able to take on armies alone. To not be able to defend himself and fight for what he cares for. Perhaps he needed to consider this position more often.

Then again, Stefan's ideals could often be described as mercurial at best. Though a stalwart warrior of legend, his thoughts and beliefs had changed multiple times over the years. Even if he did reconsider his current position there was always the chance he could become the cruel killer he once was, or a neutral party again, or even a force of good. As it stands right now he was still quite open to the various paths before him. Maybe even this woman's path could steer him in a particular direction depending on the choices she makes. Either way, Stefan saw this sharing of energy as a way to keep tabs on her actions and see just how her life shakes out. With this in mind he reached his hand out to accept her offer and spoke again. "History is written by the victors, and I plan on cutting down all the obstacles in my way. I hope to see the same from you, kid. Carve your own path, no matter if it's bloody or not. Show the world and people like me that there are still options left."

What we do here is go back back back - Page 2 6EdIfMt

The Flame Of Hope

Artist: Carrotwine - Song: Dark Side Of The Road

"Conflict is a good way to grow. But if by standing up you are obliterated by a much stronger foe, then you've got a problem. If you cobble away on the ground to build up that strength, you might get strong enough eventually, or you might get discovered and blown away. You and me were lucky because we never had someone grotesquely over our own heads decide we needed to die. Our threats were evidently within a survivable bracket. Not everyone has that. And that is nothing to do with their skill or determination or strength. It has to do with your opponent just being too strong. If your situation can be summed up by trying to lumberjack with a small fish, then you aren't going to grow from that. Just die"

She then activated her flame and poured it into Stefan. Void though his emotional pit might be against things from the outside, it was much harder to resist when the flame lit him up from the inside. Feeding off the determination and power of his will to grow, it wasn't quite as potent as Ulv's own, but it was far closer to home, and so the potency was much greater.
"This still has tricks I have yet to figure out. I should teach you my Tulpa some day. That'd be really cool. But for now, you got a flame to burn the negative and enpower the positive. With this, the world can stand and move forward!"

Artist: Final Fantasy 13-2 OST - Song: The Last Hunters (Battle Theme) - Word Count: N/A

"You're wrong." For the first time in this conversation Stefan disagreed not just entirely, but also vehemently, with something Ulv had said. "I have looked down the barrel of individuals who's very existence overshadowed every part of who I was. Fighters who made me look like a fucking mook, not skilled or strong in the slightest. But I fought, and I survived. That's what it is to live, and that's what it is to climb to the top. It isn't about being "within a survivable bracket", it's about making every instance survivable. Not everyone is gonna become strong. Doesn't matter how many opportunities you give 'em. They're either gonna live a life of mediocrity, surpassing few limits and staying within expectations, or they're gonna die early. Nothin' more to be said about people like that."

The energy of Ulv's flame stood in stark contrast to his own, and instead of warming him from the inside out like a drink of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day, it merely stayed bubbling at the surface without breaking through to his core. Every aspect of his existence, from his Void-filled energy and Reiatsu to the deepest darkest corruption still not understood by its host, pushed the bright flame away. Though not uncomfortable or having any serious side effects, it was clear to Stefan possessing this energy was more like putting it in his pocket than having it be part of himself. Perhaps that could some day change, but today was not that day. "Could teach other some shit. Maybe learn what Tulpa is, and teach you Crush Style. Quid pro quo and all that. Either way, don't think I'm exactly going to be "empowering good" any time soon. But hey, I'm already headed to Hell. Perhaps I'll drag down some other sons of bitches with me."

The Flame Of Hope

Artist: Carrotwine - Song: Dark Side Of The Road

"Mm, people like to think so. Because to them the idea that they could be wiped away at any moment is a terrifying one for them and if they think on it then they would not be able to progress. But the truth is you didn't survive, they just couldn't be bothered with you. It is an interesting habit I have observed with people to take situations and claim them as victories when they were not victories at all, they were merely the other party not caring enough to deal with you. I could say that I survived a fight with Ibiki and won a fight with Inami. But it would be a lie. Ibiki wasn't even trying to kill me, and Inami was so much stronger than I was that I wasn't even worth the effort to flick into the middle of next year. I get it, positive mindset and all, lemonade out of lemons. but you are lying to yourself about how it went down and not everyone is going to have the same luck. Not everyone sees them as ants not even worth the trouble to step on. Some people take enjoyment from stepping on ants"

Ulv ran a hand through her hair, and thought back on the traumatic experiences of life. She could really put a spin on them if she wanted, but that wasn't her thing.
"I can walk into the city and pick any man in it to flail fists at me. And then punt him into the nearby wall. That's not him surviving a fight with me, that's him surviving my presence. Were it a real fight I would flay him with his own spine and he would be wholly unable to stop me doing it"

Finally relenting, she shook her head on his offer.
"I got enough things to look over personally. Adding more to that will just dilute what I already got. Spread focus too broadly and you'll lack the impact of focus when the time comes"

Artist: Final Fantasy 13-2 OST - Song: The Last Hunters (Battle Theme) - Word Count: N/A

"Anyone that's come close to killing me was given very good reason not to, and I wear that reason on my hip." Stefan gestured with his left hand at his Zanpakuto for clarity's sake. "You can think what you want, and you can continue being wrong. Fighting against seemingly unassailable odds and then calling it luck is bullshit. Sorry if you're just too much of a rookie to understand. Either way, I don't frankly care much about what others assume of my past. I've lived through punishment after punishment and have come out the other side being capable of fighting for my ideals. Those who haven't and aren't, are little more than little people leading little lives in this world. My blade shapes history. Those cut like grass before it aren't even notes in the textbooks. You'll learn all of this, don't worry."

Figuring everything he wanted to say has already been said, and that nothing would change by sticking around any longer, Stefan turned to walk away after he finished speaking. Before leaving though he had just one final thought to share with Ulv. "If you think you're right, stay hardheaded. Don't let motherfuckers tell you you're wrong. And then get the strength to prove just how right you are. Until then, I'll be seein' ya later." On this note he began his journey back to his home in Qatar, taking it step by step. Closing this scene in his biography Stefan walked off westward from Minatumi, possibly for the last time.

The Flame Of Hope

Artist: Carrotwine - Song: Dark Side Of The Road

This man, was an idiot. Grade-A. Ulv shook head head and wondered if there were any more idiotic in the world. Maybe Young Henrex with his immediate love and moodswings like a cars RPM. Well, if he wanted to throw shade, Ulv would deal with that by voicing her own concerns about his particular mindset.

"You can think what you want, and you can continue being wrong. Being allowed to survive fighting against seemingly impossible odds and then calling it skill is bullshit. Sorry if you're just too much of a egotist to understand. If I wasn't partially attached to this city, I would go throw it and prove a point. Strength doesn't matter if you meet someone too strong for you and they don't have an attack of emotions or some strange 4th dimensional command to make them not kill you. And it is not one you can understand because right now you do have anyone too strong for you except maybe the Soul King but I don't think he actually gets off that chair so, yea. It's like trying to explain humidity to a fish" Ulv then also turned, and left into the city. Because this man was, a strange one to be sure.

"Ha, stubborn as always. Monsuta is dead and he is still digging in his heels. Just listened to Mirja and he wouldn't be in this situation..."