What Humanity Looks Like

Ren wasn't completely naive; he could see just from that wicked smile that his resolve not to slay another person was likely impossible to withhold against people like this. 

He feared never seeing her again. He feared pain. He feared death. These fears all superseded the fear of betraying his own conviction. 

"At the end of the day...I'm a coward."

"Huh?"

"It's my true nature--if my life is on the line, I'll throw away my resolve. Pretty pathetic, right? Frankly, I'm not strong enough to hold a conviction of my own. Besides, someone gave their life so that I could keep on going...I can't just ignore that sacrifice. I've tried, but if you're really going to come at me--then...I'll respond in kind."

The words were calm, coming from a hollow smile from the boy's lips as he held his dagger and longsword up. All that surrounded the still, readied fighters was a scenery of ivory, surrounded by the blanket of ash and dust that coated the pit of stone.