Mori began his speech as he slowly pulled out his weapon."Currently, the world's population is around 2 billion. Even so, more than 19 million kill themselves every year."
Osprey responded quickly."Why are you saying this?"
Mori replied, "Because of people like you. People like Mr. N."
Osprey said nothing.
Mori's mask of composure cracked for just a moment, a fleeting flicker of something raw behind his steady eyes. He caught it, breathed in, and forced it back down. He wanted to scream, to release his hatred, his agony, but he held it back.
Taking a deep breath, Mori spoke again."His ambition. I hate it. So much. It's out of control. He thinks he's a god in human clothing, and everyone must pay the price for his sins."
Mori grew more emotional, raising his hands as memories flashed through his mind. Issak's inability to accept reality, his need to reshape everything into what he wanted, was going to ruin the world beyond repair.
Osprey, sympathizing with his opponent, quietly apologized for his friend's behavior. Mori was right.
This wasn't fiction. This wasn't a video game.
Real people were dying. Real lives were being destroyed. Issak had already killed hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, chasing his ambition.
Osprey knew that.
But he couldn't betray Issak now.
He just couldn't.
There was no point in continuing this conversation.
It was just sad.
Mori made one final attempt."Issak must be stopped. I know you like that girl. For all the wrong reasons, but you still love her. Take her with you and leave all of this behind."
"Issak, the elite guards, the armies under your name. Mr. President is a reasonable man. He will forgive you."
Osprey smirked."Na. I doubt it."
Mori responded quickly."The grass is greener on the other side. You know that."
Osprey sighed, his self-doubt fading as his resolve hardened.
"I'm sorry. I'm brainwashed. I believe in Issak. If the world burns and he wants me to light the match, I'll light it. I'll be that demon. Because I believe that once he's standing at the top of the ashes, he will rebuild it better than it ever was before. And he's the only one who can do that. Only he possesses the heart required to do that."
Mori's face twisted with disgust."You don't understand what it means to have the people you love safe and secure."
Osprey fired back."Yeah, because I'm not selfish. Why do I deserve to be safe and secure, playing house, while others are out there being burned alive just for existing? Born into starvation with no way out?"
"I'll never work for a president who is too busy making sure America is safe to ignore the fact that the entire world is going to perish."
As their ideologies clashed, it became clear.
There was no middle ground.
Mori extended his weapon.
"Ignorance is bliss. Maintaining peace, no matter how small the circle, is the most important thing in this world. A place of comfort. A home to return to, with no worries."
"Our children deserve that. Not everyone can have it, but those who do… It's a blessing."
His voice softened.
"I wish you understood how that felt, Osprey."
Silence engulfed the battlefield.
Osprey, as if possessed by determination, made his choice.
"You're soft. I'm too busy fixing the world to settle for worldly comforts. Thank me in 30 years."
As Osprey crushed his communicator, Mori heard only
static.