Her heart ached at the pitiful and broken voice that came from his voice. A broken remnant of whatever he once had. His words echoed through the air. Even though her eyes softened, she didn't flinch at the venom in his tone. Nor the growl in his chest. You can thank Krait for that.

No. Her voice was soft but firm. Not meant as a challenge to him. I do not know what you've been through, but no one deserves to be alone.

No matter how much he denied it, she was going to stay there. Her multicolored eyes watched as he tried to stand up for himself. Watching as his legs dragged. She didn't move to stop him. She understood it — the whole reason she left Krait. To feel something herself. Elize wasn't about to wipe that slate clean with another.

It's okay to fall. But you're not staying down. Her paw crunched in the sand, another step forward. A gentle breeze between her cream and gray colored fur. Not while I'm here. The Guardian stood, tall and strong. For someone who was once in his position, he had to be the one to stand.

But he surely wasn't going to be alone when he did it.