It wasn't until after the Medical Ward fell to silence, after Gogonji drifted off to slumber, that he noticed a difference in the swirl of memories and voices in his mind. Much like when the Scholar had slipped through the brief gap in his mental wards, it seemed like one of the fragments had relented in its continued mental onslaught. Which one, he couldn't say without risking diving into that turbulent mass of chaos within his own head, but the slight reduction in the noise and pressure was still noticeable enough. Any relief was welcome, though to be complacent would be folly.
As such, Gogonji's first move was to examine his mental sanctuary, seeking to reveal the possible intruder. However, naught was with him but his own musings of the day's events - of the slow walk down to the docks, of his denial of Annunu... of An's request for punishment for her believed failings, and their lengthy discussion of motives and wants with the tall, purple-haired Plainsfolk. If one of the fragments had breached his barrier, if at all, then they had hidden themselves well. And if not, what was with the feeling of reduced stress on his mind?
The answer came, perhaps not all that surprisingly, when he put his whole focus back on the whirlwind of fragments as he slumbered. One of them had retreated to the outer edge of the swirling chaos, moving almost lazily outside the rest of the madness. Was it merely biding its time until its companions broke through the mental walls, or waiting for something else? As if to answer him, the fragment lurched forward through the jumbled whirlwind to stop patiently against his barrier. A small pool of calm in a raging river.
"... or win them over, and have them join you as I have..."
The Scholar's words bubbled to the surface - perhaps as a final effort of his fading independence, or perhaps just coming to mind as prudent thoughts tended to do. Whichever the reason, it seemed this particular fragment had suddenly become a lot less hostile and aggressive. If anything, it seemed... submissive. If there was a chance at appeasing the thing, now seemed the best time to try - if it was not just a ploy to breech his defenses.
Like with John suns before, Gogonji acted upon this fragment. Rather than try forcing it out - which the Lalafell knew was impossible, since it was latched onto his soul like some sort of metaphysical leech - he snagged it and pulled it into his sanctuary. Within this mind-scape, the fragment took on a shape of dark violets. And knelt before him, the mental plane around him coalescing into a place far too familiar to the Dunesfolk. And, when it spoke, it spoke in a language that too was far too familiar.
<Did you mean what you said?> the hazy form asked in Gogonji's native tongue. <Do you still seek to avenge Doma?>
It had observed the conversation with Virara, Gogonji noted with a cant of his head, the motion mirrored in the world of the living. Or perhaps the topics of discussion had resonated with its memories, and brought it out of its aimless fury. Whatever the case, the Ninja now knelt before him and awaited his answer.
<I spoke no lies,> the Lalafell stated flatly, responding in Doman even though he knew language irrelevant here. <While my rage is tempered by the survival of my family, Garlemald must yet be brought to task for what it has done.>
<I see.>
<I take it that you share no love for the Garleans either,> Gogonji commented. <Or, perhaps, are you one of those who betrayed our people?>
<No!> The response was emphatic, immediate, honest. The Ninja had risen slightly from his kneel in his adamant refusal, but seemed to catch himself and returned to his former position. He was quiet for a moment before uttering: <I... I was one betrayed.>
He hesitated again, continuing only once assured that Gogonji had nothing to add.
<When the Domans came, my clan fought against them like the rest,> the Ninja explained, wall scrolls appearing and then unfurling on the walls around them - the memories of the battles drawn upon them in elegant strokes. <However, the Garlean numbers were many and their power great. Even with our skill and tactics, we were defeated like the rest and my homeland fell under their rule.>
<Our homeland.>
<... Our homeland...> the fragment echoed, giving a small nod of agreement at the abrupt correction. <However, rather than seek to continue the fight, to battle from the shadows against our oppressors... my clan...> He was silent for a long moment, turning to look away from the Lalafell. <... submitted. They sided with the enemy and brought with them the knowledge of our ninjitsu.>
<... And did you go with them?>
<No.> The word wasn't shouted this time, but had just as much intensity behind it. <When I learned of their treachery, I left my clan and sought to join another. I was forever an outlier with the new clan, but they were willing to accept those who sought Garlemald's defeat. And yet...>
The Ninja rose to his feet again, moving with agile grace towards the last wall scroll, which hung unopened on the wall behind him. He rested a hand upon it, hesitant to reveal the image within. Gogonji made no move to follow, simply watching as the Doman spirit gathered its thoughts and its composure.
<... when the time came... I could not draw steel against the clan I had been born into.> The crimson string holding the scroll closed dissolved away and the rice paper tumbled down to reveal the image emblazoned upon it. The figure - the same shown prominently in all the other scrolls - lay in a pool of blood, surrounded by other Ninjas engaged in battle. <They had no such qualms.>
<It remains my greatest dishonor.> The Ninja turned to face Gogonji once more. <To be of a clan that betrayed its nation to the enemy. To be the one who, when the moment of truth came... failed to bring rightful retribution to my kin.>
<And so you want me to do what you could not.> It was a statement more than a question. <You seek to restore your honor, and the honor of your clan, through me.>
<... Yes.> The Doman spirit dropped to a knee again. <You have shown you can amass an army to do your bidding. And even in failure, you still seek to exact your rightful vengeance against the enemy of our people. And I... wish to aid in that.>
<Should you choose this path, you will cease to exist.> Gogonji's tone was firm, level. <Like the Scholar before you, all that will remain is your knowledge and the faint remnants of memory that are attached to them.>
<Such... will be my penance.> The Ninja remained kneeling, his gaze fixed on the tatami beneath them. <And yet... if, from it, our people can be avenged... if Garlemald can be brought to justice for what it has done...>
The spirit looked up at the Lalafell, his dark eyes burning with intensity. All around them, the scrolls slowly began to furl back up in unison - tying themselves off with crimson string - as the reed walls and tatami floor dissolved away into blackness. Until there was but Gogonji and the Ninja, encircled by floating scrolls. All shut but one - the one behind him that so elegantly captured the moment of his fall. The moment of his failure.
<... Then it is a penance I accept gladly.>
The sealed scrolls all burst simultaneously into violet flame, the rice paper charring black before dissolving away. Even after the scrolls were gone, the fires remained - purple beacons against the darkness. Only the open scroll remained unlit, the backdrop for the kneeling Doman spirit. Both waiting on the words of the Lalafell standing before them.
<... Very well.> Gogonji nodded, holding out a hand to the kneeling form prostrated before him. <On my honor as one of the Gegenji clan, I will see that Garlemald receives justice for the atrocities it has committed against our people.>
The flame started at the bottom of the open scroll, violet fingers of flame crawling up its length to the top. As it burned, the other flames drew closer - bypassing Gogonji entirely to encircle the kneeling form of the Ninja. Once the open scroll had too been consumed, its flame joined the rest. The amethyst motes circled around the Doman spirit, spinning faster and faster as they drew closer until they engulfed his kneeling form. Several small violet flames became a single lilac-hued bonfire.
And that bonfire became a glimmering sphere - images from the scrolls flitting across its surface. Gogonji reached out for that sphere, and - like before - it flared and a strange warmth raced up his fingertips and through his arm. Again, memories and knowledge that had been stolen before now gifted themselves willingly into his mind and soul - without need of mechanical motivation. And along with them, a single word - echoing emphatically into the darkness.
"Arigatou."
~