[Asch doesn't have a good answer for that, and Luke's expression - what he can see of it, out of the corner of his eye - is strikingly telling, which means that no amount of dismissals or backpedaling will get him very far. How else could he know? What explanation could there be, besides experiencing it for himself? Did the replica think he was somehow immortal until now?
People live, and people die. It happens every day, on every world. He should know that better than anyone, after Akzeriuth. Death is inevitable, even for the strong. In this world, at least it barely even matters- one week, some small, temporary consequence, and that's all. Why is it even worth worrying about?
Because he's never felt it. Because for Luke, the fear of death is still very real. Because he cares, enough for the deaths of the people he l- ... cares about to matter. Asch realizes this. He recognizes it.
[Action]
People live, and people die. It happens every day, on every world. He should know that better than anyone, after Akzeriuth. Death is inevitable, even for the strong. In this world, at least it barely even matters- one week, some small, temporary consequence, and that's all. Why is it even worth worrying about?
Because he's never felt it. Because for Luke, the fear of death is still very real. Because he cares, enough for the deaths of the people he l- ... cares about to matter. Asch realizes this. He recognizes it.
Even so... he doesn't have an answer.]