...Mithos read him completely. He was glad for the privacy, because the shame of having Mithos call him out at all was bad enough without an audience. Genis bowed his head, his entire face faltering. For your sister. When Mithos said it like that, it sounded like he had to choose between her life and so many others'.

Logically - and empathically - he knew what the right choice was, but he couldn't make it. He never could.

"No, it's not like that," he whispered, his eyes looking blankly at their feet. "I just... When Raine and I were traveling before, we hated seeing what the Desians did to people. We didn't want anyone else to suffer.

"She wouldn't want me to do this...but..." But he'd do anything for her. "I want to find another way, so she can be proud of me still."