[Cole seems fine to let the silence hang while Akechi drinks more water. The memories aren't painful in exactly the same way that they were before he remembered more of what he is, but they're still... hard to carry, sometimes.]

I became him. But the him he wished he were, no magic, harmless, so no one would hurt him anymore.

[Not that he exactly turned out harmless, but he's not any kind of mage. He lifts his wrapped blade between his hands, toying with a bit of loose fabric.]

I couldn't save him, then I forgot things that I shouldn't have. I can't let that happen again.