route666radio | [Voice]

[In the middle of a restless night, Akechi addresses the radio.]

One thing has become abundantly clear since my arrival: the vast majority of us hail from different times, if not different worlds.

[He pauses, letting that sink in.]

For instance, I'm from Japan in the year 2017. However, it is specifically the same version of Japan shared by Akihiko Sanada and Naoto Shirogane... in the future. That places the three of us in a shared reality, but not the same point in time.

However, our version of Japan has endured a number of odd, even supernatural occurrences, such as a "Dark Hour" and, more recently, the vigilante work of a group of "Phantom Thieves" who quite literally changed the hearts of wicked adults through the use of a parallel, cognitive world.

[His voice remains calm, if tinged with a subtle weariness.]

But that is far from universal. In my time here, I have encountered a talking turtle from a world where yokai and mutants are real. I've spoken with someone who had been sent into a digital world, like an isekai protagonist. I even had to explain the concept of religion to Serph-san, as well what a horse is.

[...]

All this to say, it may be worthwhile to cross reference the worlds and time periods we hail from. If nothing else, it may help us discern patterns that could in turn heighten our understanding of our present circumstances.

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Regrettably, I wasn't there, but as I understand it, my rival summoned a giant demon, empowered by the support of the masses, and shot the false god in the head.

[He would have liked to get a few hits in, but alas. He was... indisposed at the time.]

Summoned a giant demon. Okay. At least that sounds like a very final way of dealing with the problem!

It must have been quite the spectacle, though he's always been a showoff, so I can't say it's unwarranted.

Though, if we're two sides of the same coin, perhaps it's only a matter of time until I get my moment.

[What a thought. He's alive, despite all odds, yet it's always been Joker who got his moments of shining heroism.

The future is daunting, but he has one. That gives him opportunities...]

Well, you are here now, while he is not. Maybe you will get your moment in this world.

[Jack's not sure if that will be encouraging, but he's trying.]

The thought has crossed my mind, admittedly, and I do plan to apply myself.

[It's easier to keep busy. Finding a goal prevents the mind from wandering down dark, daunting corridors.]

Though, I hardly see myself as a protagonist here. It's obvious this is far bigger than any one person.

Maybe we are all protagonists. It is an ensemble cast and we all must work together to win the day.

[Jack: source of intentional optimism.]

That is the most logical assumption, seeing how we were all summoned here and are all enduring unwanted changes to our bodies.

[It's an even playing field, setting aside discrepancies in their powers. In a roundabout way, it is oddly comforting.]

I guess now we just need to figure out who the real villain is. It is often a surprise, in the good shows.

[Maybe he's being slightly less serious, there. Real life isn't like television. (Har har).]

Then there's the question on if our "real villain" is a higher power, like a god that needs slaying, or an ordinary person with extraordinary powers and resources. Or perhaps an unholy amalgamation of both...

[Heh. It's funny how much experience he's drawing from. Then again, by the sound of it, the same can be said for Jack.]

Or a machine we need to dismantle. Or an ordinary cult, which will be a lot of people to deal with, probably with some kind of magic to be causing the changes.

Oh, I hope there's no fighting. I am no good at fighting.

Lucky for you, fighting's where I excel. There are likely others just as eager to get in the thick of it.

[There's a hint of amusement crossed with eagerness in his voice.]

Though, yes, a cult is certainly possible, given the summoning circles and the shrines.

I am fairly sure there is a cult involved somewhere. I just do not know if they are the ones behind this convoy. The... the religious messages from the shrines, they seem to be suggesting the opposite than what the messages from the convoy are saying.

Ah, I don't know. I am not good at politics, either. Just talking with people.

Frankly, you're better off not getting involved with politics. Having worked with politicians quite extensively, they are about as vile as one would expect.

Opportunistic as well.

[Jack laughs a bit.]

Oh, I suppose that's true. I would rather just be what I am. No one smart would elect me for anything, anyhow.

Not that I think it will become an issue here! Unless we as a group decide we need to elect a leader for some reason.

I certainly hope not. The last thing we need is pointless infighting over leadership, when we're already fighting for our survival.

I'd agree, but you never know what will happen when you get enough people together for long enough.

And oftentimes people favor leadership and structure. There are those who would rather surrender personal agency to a higher power.

[And Jack has always been able to just slip away from the higher power if he needed to. That'll be a little harder here, when they're on the move together.]

Hopefully nobody gets that into their head, then.

If they do, I certainly don't plan on playing along. I've had my fill with being a puppet.

Oh. I suppose so, after the therapist thing, yes?

[Or the politicians. Or something else Akechi hasn't even mentioned yet! There are so many awful possibilities.]

Oh, more the accumulation of an entire lifetime's experiences, with Dr. Maruki as the most recent example.

[Still, he's a fine enough example.]

How old are you?

[Because Jack was under the impression Akechi was a teenager, and that if he's had "an entire lifetime's experiences" with being a puppet, Jack might be a bit concerned.]

Eighteen, going on nineteen.

[So, yes. Jack is right to be alarmed.]

I feel suddenly very old.

[Said with a sigh.]

I am sorry that you had to have so many experiences by eighteen to feel that way.

[He knows he was awfully disillusioned at that age, as well, though mostly only for one fairly large reason, not a lot of... possibly equally large reasons.]

I know I'm not the only one. I'm sure other orphans and illegitimate children have suffered similarly.

They just didn't awaken to supernatural abilities and use those abilities recklessly and violently.

[At least he's self-aware enough not to ask for pity. He's hardly in the position to.]

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