"You okay out here." Rank walked up behind the boy. Dane didn't face him, instead choosing to focus on the tree in front of him.
"The forest isn't very safe you know." Rank chuckled.
"I'm sorry." Dane still refused to face him. A droplet slashing against a leaf drew Rank's attention to Dane's hands. They were tattered and bloodied.
"Sorry for what exactly?" Rank asked. He moved a few paces closer.
"I'm sorry for being useless." Dane sounded defeated and quiet. Rank noticed the trail of blood on the tree in Dane was facing. "I'm sorry you have to deal with the only person who doesn't know how to use their skill."
"Dane, you don't have to be so-"
"YES I DO." Dane finally faced Rank. His eyes were bloodshot. His hands and arms were stained with streaks of blood. His knuckles were burst open. His cheeks seemed to be paler than ever and flushed red at the same time. "Everyone tried their best! Everyone adapted! Everyone contributed! Everyone... Everyone except me."
"We're all still learning. You'll find your way-"
"You almost DIED Rank. You put yourself on the line for us. You told us to call for help, but you really just wanted us to run!"
"How did you know.."
"You think I'm stupid? You have a direct line to Kat. I knew you were trying to buy time. I knew, but I still ran" Dane's eyes flashed with guilt. "I left you there to die."
"I wanted it that way. You can't blame yourself...You didn't even have access to a means to help." Rank tried to calm him.
"I'm a coward. At that moment I had just as much power as you to protect everyone." Dane reached behind him and pulled out a dagger very similar in appearance to Rank's own. "I pocketed it when Tark made them at the lizard's den. I had every chance to jump in and help you. I didn't. I'm really just... Just useless." Dane seemed to be avoiding eye contact with Rank.
Rank took a moment to choose his words.
"Dane. You're not useless. Dane, no one here can say anything about what you choose to do. Just like everyone, you're doing your best. Dane, we've been thrust into a world we don't know. We've been put under stress people our age shouldn't deal with. We've barely had any chances to catch our breath since we got here. Frankly I'm surprised that I haven't seen several mental breakdowns yet." Rank felt earnest about his words."You're not useless. You're a human. You're doing your best... But we can't all be cold, calculated and emotionless robots. You're just a person. I'm just a person."
Dane met eyes with Rank. He was clearly tired. Dane stretched his arm out, offering the dagger to Rank.
"I've got one already. Why don't you hang onto that one for now." Rank gave him a faint smile.
"But I can't use it. I'm unskilled with my hands, and I'm too much of a coward." Dane meekly protested.
"I'll teach you the basics. Also, I trust you to step up when you feel you're ready. I trust you to make the right choice if I'm not there to protect everyone." Rank assured him.
Dane remained silent. He gripped the dagger in his fist. He locked eyes with Rank and pocketed it.
"I think we've got a deal." Rank laughed.
"I'll try my best. Even if my skill never works, I promise I'll make myself useful." Dane's eyes filled with determination. "I'll make you proud."
Rank stood there regarding the situation. He was filled with an immense sense of pride in the leadership skills he had managed to demonstrate. He snapped back to reality.
"Now, about those hands... We might have to wait a bit, but I know just who to ask for help." Rank turned to leave the forest opening. "You coming?"