[Ahhh. To that, he smiles -- there really is a cruelty to it. But it's a bit forced, as he finds it easier to focus on chiding the foolish Yaksha who sided with the gods, than think about the ways this is paining his own heart.]

[After all -- he does have memories of Aether's time here in Nippon. And while those memories doesn't align completely with the life he's lived, knowing that these words will hurt someone who has shown him such kindness does pain him, in a way.]

[It's why he won't take the first swing. Because he can't. But perhaps he can goad Xiao into forcing him on the defensive, and at least give the illusion that this malice was sincere.]

And you have taken down countless allies of mine over the years. And yet not once have you come close to stopping the Abyss Order.

So consider this a rare opportunity to take out their leader.

[...he and Aether are gonna have to have a talk later.]