"I'm sorry. Sephyrus..."
He glares. "Don't."
"No, please, listen." She takes a deep breath. "I won't pretend to know how much you hurt. I won't pretend Athena didn't do anything wrong. But I will fix it. Please believe me."
"Believe you?" Sephyrus stares at his weapon, twisting it at an angle so the red glow from a nearby tree glints from the blade. "No. Why would I?"
It stings, and she lets it show.
He smiles as he sees her look of defeat, like he takes delight in it. "You're nothing. You're weak. You're no leader. You have your heart in the wrong place. Just like her. You'll make the same mistakes. I wouldn't depend on you even if my life does." He sniggers and points his gunblade at her. "Are you afraid of this? Afraid I will kill you here before anyone can find you?"
She feels weak at her knees, and she can't find it in her to respond.
"I won't. I won't waste my energy. You'll do it yourself, soon enough. I'll just wait."
