" dad ? "

" yeah , buddy ? "

" am i going to be a great
paladin like you someday ? "

" ben . you'll be
better than me ."

ben could hear the words in his head as he sat on the bench , holding the helmet in between his hands . he saw the reflection in the visor below , seeing the fear in his own eyes .

he could see he reflection of a failure , someone who couldn't live up to his father's standings and his father's legacy .

not a day went by that he didn't miss takashi . and he knew he needed to find him . even if it meant going out alone .

he couldn't risk the team's danger . it was a choice that the leader made .

to find someone who needed to take back their honor and place . he needed to find his father .

he gently pressed his forehead against the helmet , his back shuddering as he took a heavy breath . then , turning it around in his hands , he placed the helmet over his head and heard it click .

there was no going back now .