"And you won't get to," Akechi replied. He sagged, slightly, the exhaustion showing in his expression. He really was so god damn tired. "I'm not him, and this is just a dream. You'll wake up, and I'll fade away. Not even like a Shadow would. Like a cognition would. That's all I am." He looked up at the Shadow. "So, what. Have you come to kill me? 'Rewarded as a traitor deserves', is that it?"

The Shadow cocked his head to the side, considering the question. And then he moved, like lightning, azure flame burning as a gauntleted fist swung towards his face, sending the defenseless Akechi staggering backward, bleeding- "Are you really this pathetic?! After everything you've been through, you're just going to give up?!" His face was twisted in a feral snarl, turning to look at Joker, now. "That's what Hereward is, you know. This sad sack of shit realized he was going to die and do you know what he felt? Relief. Freedom! Freedom from Maruki, freedom from Shido, freedom from the thought of ever having to confront the one thing that terrifies him more than anything else-"

"Stop it."

"Oh? How are you going to make me? You don't even have a Persona anymore. Do you?! You can barely manifest Hereward for more than a few seconds, let alone do anything with him, no matter how many of those little tutoring sessions you go to with Emet-Selch. And you- don't even know why. Because you won't even ask the fucking question!"

Akechi spat, staggering to his feet. "I thought we'd just established that didn't matter. My existence- whatever or whoever I am- is inherently pointless."