[ It's comforting, sitting arm-against-arm like this. They'd only just met, and whatever trust they'd established was fragile at best, yet already Setsuna feels that Mello is one who could be relied upon, a solid ally, and perhaps even a friend, further down the road. There is a dangerous glint to his eyes when he speaks of certain things and then there are undoubtedly rougher edges to him, but they share that similarity, as well. Maybe that's why neither of their more violent sides had emerged yet. They keep each other in check that way, that silent understanding and kinship of spirit.

Faith in humanity, in truth, is still something he struggles with on occasion; as noted, he's seen its best along with its very, very worst. But even a faint beacon, a small glimmer of hope, is enough for him to keep moving forward, in spite of his uncertainty. ]

Because that is why I exist.

[ True, the world turns with or without him, but he won't allow it to descend into chaos, into ruin. He won't allow the scourge of conflict to spread.

He won't allow anyone else to become what he has, a shell of a person ruined by war. There can never be another Soran Ibrahim. Never, ever again. ]

I exist to fight for mankind, to have that faith. That is who I am. That is who Setsuna F. Seiei is.

[ Somberly: ]

And I will die in defense of that dream.