Paritraan sits on the floor, clutching his injured hand, eyes still damp from tears. The broken mask lies beside him. Silence hangs heavy, only interrupted by Anahata's soft hum.
Paritraan: (whispering) "I wasn't strong enough... I couldn't even fight back properly."
His voice grows louder, frustration bubbling up.
"How?! How can I make myself strong? I did everything you asked – the syringes, the endless training... Was all that in vain?"
Anahata's usually playful tone turns gentle.
Anahata: "You've come far, Paritraan. You're stronger than you were yesterday, but they... they're extraordinary. Strength alone won't win every battle."
Paritraan clenches his fists, knuckles bruised and bleeding.
Paritraan: "Then what do I do now?"
Anahata: "Innovation. Humanity thrived because of its creations. Powerful enemies were hunted with weapons and shields, not fists alone. But..."
Anahata chuckles softly.
"...a shield would slow you down, and we both know you can't afford that."
Paritraan leans back, exhaustion clear in his eyes.
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Paritraan: "So what? You want me to build something?"
Anahata: "Yes. A suit to protect you and... a weapon."
"I never wanted to introduce my technology to this planet, but… this should be enough."
Paritraan, still lost in thought, blurts out:
Paritraan: "Guns."
Anahata immediately sighs.
Anahata: "Really? Guns?
Are you ready to stop bullets with a sword?"
Paritraan chuckles bitterly.
Paritraan: "You know I'm not fast enough for that."
Anahata's tone sharpens with excitement.
Anahata: "But what if your blade could be? Imagine a sword that detects every bullet, calculates its trajectory, and moves fast enough to block them proportionally."
Paritraan's eyes widen.
Paritraan: "That's... impossible for me to make."
Anahata hums playfully again.
Anahata: "Who said you need to make the tech? You just need to forge the sword. Leave the impossible to me."
Paritraan leans his head back, a faint smile forming despite the pain.
Paritraan: "And the suit?"
Anahata: "Please... make one already. You're not a punching bag, Paritraan."