[ Someone who sought to destroy the world, with a reality-manipulating ability.

The smile that flits across Maruki's features is subdued, a little saddened. ]

I hear stories like that all the time in this room. History does seem to repeat, even between different realities...

[ A pause, a thoughtful rub to the stubble on his chin, more overworked than usual. ]

Did that ocean of blood have anything to do with it?

[ Sometimes imagery in dreams is nothing more than a subconscious sorting through days, weeks of nonsense. Mental junk, emotional refuse.

More often than not, though, it's real. ]