Welsh's announcement had been a brutal blow to my chest. I felt it in spots I didn't expect to feel it, and I grieved with him deeper than he probably thought I did.
Calm and collected remained my general demeanor, but chaos reigned in my heart. He confided in me, explaining what had led to his nigh-eternal bottleneck.
"All those I started with have advanced, and I've remained here… the oldest, and will likely become the weakest," he chuckled, having come to terms with his life. He indeed spoke like he expected nothing; I could hear that truth in his tone.
Welsh was a Rebel of the earth element, hence the aura of firmness around him. He, however, had never advanced beyond the start of the Hill-stage. According to his story, he would have been a genius not too far from Eiko's level, but circumstances had led him to fade out of destiny.
