After Ymir's revelation, silence fell on them for a moment.
Erik blinked in surprise and cocked his head, now looking at Ymir as if he was insane. "Old man… I'll do a lot of things for my own freedom and safety, but… cutting off the source of aetherium that my wife and her family need to live is…. not one of them."
But Ymir shook his head and smiled mysteriously. "I'd be disappointed if you did, little friend. No, that was never the plan, of course. Both Audumla and Nyxandra need aetherium as well, even if I'd be willing to sacrifice so many people…"
Seeing Erik's sceptical expression, Ymir chuckled deeply and added: "…which I'm not, obviously."
Yet, something in the giant's eyes suggested to Erik that this ancient being wasn't actually as far from doing such a thing as he himself perhaps thought. Regardless, Erik nodded slowly. "Alright, so… what was the plan, then?"
