The Younger Woman scoffed. "Turn this around? Against him? How? Do you not remember what he did to the Tall Man? To everyone else who stood in his way?"
"We don't have to defeat him," Theran said quickly. "We just have to survive. That's the game he's playing, isn't it? He doesn't want this to end quickly. He wants to see what we're made of."
"Then let's show him," Scarred Soldier said, his voice firm. "If we're going to die, we make it worth his while. We impress him."
Mikhail hesitated. "You think he'll let us live if we… impress him? That sounds insane."
"Is it, though?" Miriam asked, her voice thoughtful. "Think about it. Lyerin isn't like anyone else we've encountered. He doesn't fight out of necessity or anger. He fights for the thrill of it. For the fun of it. If we prove we're worthy opponents, if we show him we're more than just targets, maybe he'll let us go."
