you learn to live without

i found cynicism, i found criticism
i've been zero to hero & i have been the villain

"Nor do I. But I've lost my daughter Sam." If the bookmaker had thought Remi had fallen apart losing his friend—back when Ronin had only been that—he truly had no idea what it was the alchemist was dealing with now. This descent into madness. Only those who have been so thoroughly emptied of everything can understand what it's like to hate those who try to save you. To want nothing more than to linger in your own demise.

Sam didn't need to breathe, but still Remi fancied he could hear a startled puff of air as the ascended's back touch the wood. Something inside of his cut swirled and stirred; a hot red mixture brought to a simmer.

"Oh?" Remi tilted his head to the side, the scar tissue on his throat distorted by the tenseness of his neck and shoulders. Smirking darkly at this, Remi leaned forward to reveal teeth slightly sharpened. "But you threw that away. And now? Now I feel nothing at all. About anything."

Hollow, is what Remi was now. He was a once lush and vibrant forest burned to cinder and smoke by a fire; only ghostly black trunks remained. If touched they would fall apart—being only charcoal and grief—just as he would.