OPEN NETWORK

[refire]

Sender: Alphen
To: Everyone


Hey there! You can just call me Alphen. I've already encountered many warriors and seasoned soldiers. We have strong fighters here.

I'm interested in seeing weaponry or combat gear. There are some really neat swords with intriguing designs. Still, I know that a weapon can be lethal all the same. So I've been meaning to ask a question as well.

For what reason would you fight?

I fight to protect my friends. I want to use my strength for the right reasons.

Granted, all I know how to do is wield a sword. I'd be more than glad to put those skills to use. I'm willing to spar and exchange combat moves with someone. Maybe we can learn with one another. I can't exactly let my blade rust when seriously powerful beasts could attack at any moment. 

Comments

Sender: Diluc

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc hasn't seen or spoken with Alphen since their partnership in the dreamscape not long after he arrived. It's good to see that the other man is doing well.]

I fight the darkness so that no one else has to.

[refire]

[ Fighting the darkness so that no one else had to do it sounds almost a little lonely in some ways. Alphen at least recognizes Diluc from before too. It's been a while since they've last spoken. That much is true. ]

Would you fight the darkness by being light? That sounds like a difficult battle.

[disdelusioned]

[It's more than a little lonely, but Diluc has made peace with that reality for himself. Or... at least, he thought he had. His time here has put some of that into doubt.]

There's no other way to face it besides burning brightly enough to withstand it. The battle is difficult, but it's worthwhile.

[refire]

Just don't overdo it.

Even the greatest fighter needs rest.

[ Alphen used to get scolded whenever he worked too hard. It's really important to let yourself rest so you can regain strength. That part is just as crucial as fighting itself. ]

[disdelusioned]

I don't usually have the luxury. If not me, who will do it?

[He knows he's burning the candle at both ends back home, and he's aware that it's not sustainable in the long term. But he refuses to correct his course.]

[refire]

[ He supposes that reality often unkind. It's not fair for someone to shoulder the burden to the point where they can't find a moment of respite. Alphen wishes things would be different but they aren't. ]

Is there really no other way? You shouldn't have to burn yourself out like that.

[disdelusioned]

[In fairness(?), Diluc's solitary vigil is largely self-imposed. If anything, those in charge of Mondstadt would rather her not do it at all.

Which is all the more reason why he feels he must.]

There isn't. I'm willing to burn myself out if it means that no one else needs to face it.

[Totally healthy and not self-destructive!]

[refire]

There must be another path you can take.

I don't want you to go out there and get yourself hurt.


[ Alphen is being equally stubborn about his stance and he dislikes the idea of sacrifice in general. In Calaglia the people were enslaved by war and conflict. He had seen far too many decent people give up their lives for a greater cause. Ideally he'd prefer it if they could all live in a world without the need for sacrifice on that scale. ]

[disdelusioned]

[Several minutes pass before Diluc responds again. Alphen isn't the first person in Reverin to disapprove of his methods and mentality in this regard, and his reasoning is the same as that of everyone else he's had this converesation with: Diluc's own well-being.

He hates that. It's not Alphen's fault, obviously, but... damn it, he's not used to this degree of worry. And he's not sure he's even worth it.]

I appreciate your concern.

[He promises nothing.]

[refire]

That's it? You're just going to leave it like that?

[ Hm, nope. Alphen isn't satisfied with that kind of response. He wants to hear a more concrete answer and preferably hoping that Diluc won't do anything too rash. Unfortunately Alphen just happens to be stubborn so he won't change his mind.]

Your life is important too!

[disdelusioned]

Yes, I am going to leave it like that.

[What other choice does he have? He made up his mind long ago that this is how things have to be, regardless of his own feelings on the subject. And despite the fact that those feelings are far more conflicted than he lets on.]

My life's value is measured against my ability to accomplish what it is I have set out to do. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks about its importance. Evil men can die as heroes. Good men can give their lives in the service of others, and no one cares. All of that is subjective.

[He's speaking from painful experience here.]

The effects of my actions matter far more than my continued existence.

[refire]

A world built upon the sacrifices of others is just wrong.

Evil will continue to exist so as long as there are men who act upon selfish deeds and find pleasure in watching the powerless suffer. We can't exist only to give up our lives in the end. That's no different than admitting defeat.

[disdelusioned]

And what gives you the right to lecture me on what is right and wrong?

[Alphen's hit a nerve with that one.]

If you choose to accept that evil is a part of the world and therefore isn't worth fighting against with all of one's being, that's your business. I make no such concessions.

This conversation is over.

[He snaps his journal shut, as if Alphen might somehow feels the finality of the gesture despite being in an entirely different part of town.]

[refire]

[ Alphen sees things differently. He believes in change and maybe things don't necessarily have to stay the way they are. Of course, he knows things aren't going to happen overnight and he's no fool but he'd rather put his faith in a new possibility. If he couldn't believe in a different reality then he wouldn't be standing here.

He's not going to tolerate evil intentions but that doesn't mean that he can't try to approach things another way. Maybe it would be hard to explain this to Diluc. So it would be best to try conversing some other time. ]