[He can only claim to be saving his energy for what matters— for the man he's made his promises to. In truth, Akira is going to hurl everything he has at Solomon and then some because he does matter, because it is important to prove what he's worth to the man who's guided him along from the very beginning.

To tame the hydra is beyond him, Akira now acknowledges, but it's not too late to be seen by it, to have his resolve and his dedication acknowledged. If he can leave Solomon with nothing else, let it be with the knowledge that his apprentice is one who will honor what few promises he makes until his dying breath. He hadn't made them lightly.

Akira wipes the forming sweat from his brow. The blood on Solomon's temple is worth nothing more than the sweat on his own. He's barely made a dent, but if it takes every ounce of magic in his body, he'll prove his point to Solomon.

He lies in wait, poised to strike, while Solomon slowly approaches. Akira steadies his breaths and counts his every step, his palms flat to the earth. Beneath Solomon's feet, beneath his own, the earth begins to tremble.]

Do you think I'd make a promise, any promise, lightly? Give me a break. I'm not going to back down no matter how hard you push me. I don't have any regrets!