[ anger without outlet. Ren's fingers flex, turning into a fist before loosening, then tightening again. they are two among many there, most of which he doesn't recognize, and they need help. there's the hollowed feeling of what now? but some first things come first.

like Akechi being here, alive. this time he won't allow anyone to play them against each other. did Mementos take Akechi? did Yaldabaoth? did he foil them both, even after all of that? that monster bent on control had been defeated. ]

You're alive. [ his voice is even. ] If this is a game, it's the beginning. We can't let whoever's responsible drive us apart again.

[ again.

not after what Yaldabaoth did, not after what Shido did, and not after what Akechi has been through. they both fought so hard against the chains that held them, and Akechi deserves that chance as much as he did. ]

First, we need to find out where we are. I thought it might be an illusion created from the treasure of Mementos, but Mementos was destroyed. What do you last remember?

[ his tone gets softer, more curious as he examines his face. his eyes are intense, stripped of everything that he once used to temper them. ]