Vaan didn't flinch at the unexpected arrival. He knew that voice. He'd only heard it a few times, but it was unmistakable. Without looking up, Vaan spoke rather harshly to Death. "Don't insult him," Vaan said, referring to Abaddon. "He knows exactly how hopeless this situation is. But what would you have me do? I'd no time for training and extremely limited options. This girl is the only reason I ever woke up enough to listen to reason and rebel against the Reverend. I love her, and I'm doing everything I can for her. So maybe you could stop criticizing me and offer a hand--and I don't mean for guidance to the after life."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I'd hoped you'd want to chat in person,"</span>Abaddon said telepathically to Death.<span style="font-style: italic">"As you can see, we could use a bit of assistance."</span><br/><br/>-------------------<br/><br/>At the Reverend's words, Owari nodded obediently, but thoughts whirled inside his head. What had he meant in that last statement? Could there really have been other humans who survived the meteor?<span style="font-style: italic">Impossible,</span>he thought.<span style="font-style: italic">They're not that strong.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"They don't have to be,"</span>Hadriel said softly inside him.<span style="font-style: italic">"It isn't strength that humans fight with. They use their will and spirit to overcome harsh odds. You could utilize that too, if you wanted. You maintain your human soul."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Don't say that,</span>the boy replied.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Why? You think the Reverend would look down on you for it? It's because of your strong feelings for him that you still have a soul. It doesn't make you inferior. If you play your cards right, you could utilize both your strength, which the Reverend values, and your spirit, which the humans value, to surpass both."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Surpass the Reverend?</span>Owari thought.<span style="font-style: italic">That's impossible. Besides, I have no interest in that.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"But you do have interest in surpassing everyone else."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Because then he'll love me.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Perhaps,</span>Hadriel thought privately.<span style="font-style: italic">But it's more likely that he'll value you as a strong assistant. I don't think he's capable of love.</span>