If I'm not misremembering, then this used to belong to you, old friend. I must admit I'm a bit fuzzy about that, though. Whatever it is. Perhaps it wasn't even yours in the first place. Perhaps it belonged to a friend of yours? Either way, I'm quite sure that it should be yours now. I think you need it more than I do. That at least I'm sure of.

If I'm not misremembering, then this used to belong to you, old friend. I must admit I'm a bit fuzzy about that, though. Whatever it is. Perhaps it wasn't even yours in the first place. Perhaps it belonged to a friend of yours? Either way, I'm quite sure that it should be yours now. I think you need it more than I do. That at least I'm sure of.

I know you said you came to absolve me, but I feel you ended up here for more than just that, old friend. I feel like you're here because you need me and my advice one final time. Unfortunately, I don't think I have any more advice for you. I think I was quite thorough in my teaching in the past. Perhaps there's something else I can give you, though.

I'm pretty sure this is yours, at least. I'm not sure what it is, and I wonder why I have this, though. I can't remember taking it or it being given to me. Doesn't seem like something I'd have use for either. Maybe you have use for it. Oh, well, I don't need it anyway. So, you can have it and if you have a use for it all the better.

I'm pretty sure this is yours, at least. I'm not sure what it is, and I wonder why I have this, though. I can't remember taking it or it being given to me. Doesn't seem like something I'd have use for either. Maybe you have use for it. Oh, well, I don't need it anyway. So, you can have it and if you have a use for it all the better.

It's one of the detriments of old age: memories of many lost friends. That and the loss of teeth. Anyhow. One way or the other we have to deal with it. Whether we try to remember or try to forget. It doesn't matter. Speaking of: there's another thing I almost forgot. I have something from you that I was hoping to return to you. This seems the perfect opportunity to do so.

True words, old friend. And, there's still a lot of advice or help I can provide you with. Indeed, this would be most wise to do, and I should be wise enough to know that. And there is merit in aiding you with future tasks too. For example: I have something on me that originally belonged to you. Perhaps I should return it to you.

So, one way or the other our meeting today was determined to happen. What for? We can't say. Honestly, I couldn't even say what brought me here in the first place. How curious. Thinking about it, though, there's something that could have led us together. I remember now that I still carry around something that belongs to you. Perhaps you're here to take it back?

Now I'm beginning to worry for you, old friend. Time takes a toll on all of us, but I always figured you the most stable of all of us. We others were all too singular in our focuses. You were strong. Just looking at you I see a paragon of strong-mindedness and vigor. Am I mistaken? What has become of you?

In a sense you could probably call it that. Then again, we make a habit of painting our past deeds in a better light by describing them with grand concepts. Of course, I can only speak for myself. I was always convinced that we all agreed on this, though. You should know better than me why you did what you did. How come you can't seem to recall? Are you alright?

Haha. Well, old friend, at least so it may seem. I have to admit that this is the impression you should be getting of me. Impressions can be deceiving, though. You should know that, old friend. I'm sure that I taught you that lesson thoroughly. How could you have forgotten that? I hope that I didn't fail in my duty as teacher like that. That would be quite disappointing.

How curious of you to ask this. What we encountered together will forever be burnt into my memory, but you seem to have forgotten. I'm worried, old friend. Our time together and the marvels we encountered together were quite remarkable. Unforgettable, even. What happened to you to cause you to forget?

Grave things, old friend. Grand things. As your teacher and advisor I had the privilege of distancing myself from the gravest and grandest facets of your reality. You did not have the luxury of that. As a leader you had to consider every loss. What a burden to bear. How often did I rejoice that none of this was my responsibility.

We were friends. The closest of friends even. More, even. Still, we were so different. Funny how life plays out at times. Unlike you I never preoccupied myself with the losses we suffered in the past. I never had the luxury of devoting any time to that. My focus has always been directed at the future. At possibilities, not results.

Interesting. Yet still you're willing to forgive? Even though this guilt is on me and me alone. Then again, only with free will are we able to achieve true greatness. Would there be any meaning in our deeds if they weren't the product of our own decisions? Of course, though, then we also have to carry the burdens we shouldered by our actions.

Interesting. Then you think it was predetermined that we meet today? And all of our actions in the past have been predetermined by greater forces than ourselves? Are we then responsible for our own actions? Would it absolve me of any guilt? Or would it simply predetermine if I shall receive absolution or not?

Can we really call it betrayal? Can we be faulted for what we did to you? We all knew it was coming. You knew. I knew. The others knew. We all did. I can't deny that you had to suffer through much, but you took up the burden of leadership knowing very well the price. Didn't you?

Nonsense! I would never forget you, old friend. It's almost hurtful to imagine you could think like that of me. We've gone through so much together. We stood side by side against dangers no mortal could imagine. I'm surprised that you seem to have forgotten me, though. Have I changed that much over the years?

I was a creator of great wonders, old friend. I spent years' worth of time poring over schemes and contraptions. I kept going on long after you were gone. No, I don't fault you for not knowing. You were never even that interested in my machinations. You had greater things on your mind than my fancies.

Well, old friend, it almost seems that you have gained great wisdom since last time we met. You're probably right. As usual you are. Mistakes are part of all of us. The more years of memories we accumulate, the more of them contain moments of failure. That is mathematically inevitable. Say then, old friend, do you believe in destiny?

You seem confused by that, old friend. You don't remember our friendship? What about the adventures? What about our companionship? Not even the betrayal? Of course, you remember that. You must remember. I myself have been tormented by the memories for every waking moment. And I am the culprit here and you're the victim of this betrayal.

Yes, old friend. I know that I made enough mistakes for more than one lifetime. It is the fate of the creators to entertain grand intentions and fail miserably in the execution. I lived long enough to learn this harsh lesson. I'm used to that by now. Am I at fault for seeking absolution nevertheless?

I didn't dare to hope for it, old friend. So many years I have tormented myself and wondered: do I deserve your absolution? From anyone else I would never have expected such magnanimity. You, old friend, I should have known better than to entertain doubt. You were never one to hold grudges against friends.