The Iron Lotus of Remnant

Ch 2: Index Proxies & Awakening

???: "Fine, I don't need to hear another word from you. If you're so fearful of death, leave me and escape by yourself!"

Miris: "I wouldn't have brought you with me if I were such a coward fearing for my life!"

???: "There has to be some reason you've done this, then...If your reasoning is unsatisfactory, know that there will be consequences to your actions!"

Miris: "Your battle will be nothing more than a messy scrape if you try to keep up in your current state, ma'am! You have to have realized it yourself!"

???: "Out of my way!!!"

SWOOSH

???: "...Step aside. I am as composed as I can be."

Miris: "You can't even best your own subordinate right now, director. 
There is nothing composed about charging blindly into the fray and brandishing your sword like a madwoman..."

???: "They're foes that we must destroy anyway!"

Miris: "..."

???: "In fact, I would argue that it's better this way, as I can firmly grasp my blade with an undaunted heart, unshaken by fear."

Miris: "...Even if they were opponents that warrant such a fight, wielding your blade while you've lost yourself will only yield pointless and juvenile revenge.
They say anger is needed in order to face the enemy, but an excess of that emotion will ultimately hurt you.
Fury shouldn't be the only motivation to bestir oneself... I thought you knew this as well director.
You're the one who taught me that I'll spill my own blood if I can't see where the edge of my sword is pointed, after all..."

???: "I have no resolve to show to those who have taken what is mine.
They had the nerve to make an offer where we must put our lives on the line to earn it back. Such absurdity.
Now tell me why I should treat them with any courtesy!"

SWOOSH

Miris: "Even then!
That's not how Lowell would've reacted! So please, Xiao... Gather your senses."

Xiao: "...Miris... I am aware. I know that the Library didn't snatch Lowell and Section 2 away from us.
I am well aware that they took a fair offer and made a bet, and paid the rightful price for losing it.
But what can I do when I simply cannot bring myself to accept that? Was it truly done of their own volution?
Can anyone say with utmost certainty that no coercion was involved in their decision!
Whenever my mind was plagued with such thoughts, I couldn't make rational judgment..."

Miris: "...Is it because Chun and the other Fixers are dead? Is that why you're acting like this?"

Xiao: "You would be right. At first, I thought I only had to care about my own safety.
As long as I could get my hands on Lowell's book... I decided that I wouldn't care about my surroundings, even if that meant I would have no one to rely on once everything was over.
But, as I saw my colleagues die out one by one, my mind began to waver...
Am I truly going down the righteous path? Is it truly right as a human being to think of myself, and only myself?
When the many of those who trusted me and followed me have perished, should I overlook their deaths and keep moving forward...?"

Miris: "..."

Xiao: "If my selfishness is causing harm to others, shouldn't I stop it before it's too late? Shouldn't I save those who still have a chance?
If I had to make a choice, who should be putting up with the hardship? Is it you, or I?
Miris... Answer me. I'm no longer certain what I should put first."