[Nothing ends with Maruki Takuto. He's awake. Aware. Talking. Akechi's knife remains pressed into his gut, twisting a healed wound open over and over.

Maruki keeps him close - together. He can't stand it. Will make him regret it. Will keep that blade dug deep until his hands are ripped off.]

What good does it to do explain anything to the irrational? You made a choice.

[And he'll be trapped here. Could be trapped here. When the time comes to tear this reality to shreds, a little piece of Maruki will be stuck in this place. Pulling him back, pulling him here - Akechi can't come back. Won't come back. Maybe that's what Maruki's hoping for in the end.

Stay in a home filled to the brim with those he adores instead of returning to a world that lacks anything for him. Keep himself tethered to a place he was wanted by few, instead of unwanted by many. A king in a machiya is no different than a prince hiding in a city.

It's disappointing. Pathetic. He gave in with no warning. The Metaverse will tempt him - Akechi wonders how soon it will take for Maruki to wander in to poke and prod every corner.

It's none of Akechi's business what he does. They're nothing. Maruki's nothing and-

The handle feels slick in his grip - he inches the blade out, then forces it back in.]

I told you before - when the moment comes to leave, I won't waste time seeking you out or trying to ensure you can escape too. The idiots here who tied themselves to this world - they'll eventually pay for it. Akira. Eren. You. All of them.

[They're pathetic. They're all pathetic. A little power in a vial for an unknown price.]

It was wrong of me to assume that you could ward of the temptation of some pathetic, hand-me-down power.