Dark mist leaked through Ned's shoulders, then his breathing. Slowly, the blue of his eyes washed away by the mist until it almost looked like a concentrated shadow. Then it snapped. Dark mist faded as if blown away by a gust of wind.
Rassus cursed, but Ned's thought scattered from his own demise. People he cared about flashed and faded in his mind. Kamma, Calahir, Master Will, people of O'rriadt island. He might be indifferent sometimes, but he wanted people. People to be with him. His shoulders shook once the mist faded as he fell on the ground extinguished with energy. His tears flowed unbeknownst to him. "Why," he muttered. "Why me. All the time."
"W—"
"Not you. Shut up."
Rassus took it heartily (even though he didn't have one) and let Ned drift within his thoughts. Rassus rumbled, like shattered glass, and sighed.
Chains rattled behind Ned.
"N… Ned?"
