[Voice]

[salvationfound]

[Ragged breathing is heard, as if something's scared Kratos to his very core. Judging by the sound of it, he's shaking, too. He starts to speak quietly, rapidly.]

Mithos is gone. Mithos... Mithos. The hero. The one who'll save- No. No no. No.

Gone. Gone. Gone like the rest. They'll all fade. Eventually they NO! They can't- can't leave

Comments

[Action]

[halgitamilf]

[Bypassing that journal bullshit and heading straight over.]

[Action]

[salvationfound]

[Then if Svala looks hard enough, Kratos is huddled up on the floor beside his bed, muttering to himself with his journal nearby.]

[Action]

[halgitamilf]

[Svala pauses at the threshold to his room, her hand on the doorjamb.]

...Kratos?

[Action]

[salvationfound]

...Svala.

[Action]

[halgitamilf]

[Svala takes that as a green light to walk in, slowly. She kneels at his side, hands in her lap.]

[Action]

[salvationfound]

[He peeks at her from under his arms before he looks away again.] You're here. You shouldn't be here. While life remains within you, leave.

[Action]

[halgitamilf]

I will not. [She doesn't move.]

[Action]

[salvationfound]

Fate is cruel to me. It gives me such joy, only to take it away from my grasp in an instant. Everything. Everything has been destroyed by the cruelty of fate. It only stands to reason that you, Svala, the one who's given me joy, love and hope, will be destroyed and fade just like her.

[Action]

[halgitamilf]

[Time to inject some aristo-brand logic into this situation.] What of Lloyd? He lives, and loves you. He has not been lost.

[Action]

[salvationfound]

I lost him twice before, once of my own fault. Who's to say it won't happen a third time? A fourth, a fifth? Until I can no longer bear the thought of him living - dying.

[Action]

[halgitamilf]

You cannot place all your faith in the misfortunes of the world, you must be aware of this. Do not allow your fear and despair to overcome you, Kratos. [And she reaches over to place a hand on his shoulder.]

[Action]

[salvationfound]

[But he jerks away from the touch.] No!

[Action]

[halgitamilf]

[Okay, all right, backing off a little. Svala scoots back to give him some room.] Very well.

[Action]

[salvationfound]

[Yes, that's a good girl. Stay away from the crazy mutt. Kratos tightens the hold around himself.] I have caused nothing but grief for anyone who dared to venture close to me. I cannot - will not allow the same to happen to you. It may already be too late.

[Action]

[halgitamilf]

You have brought me nothing but joy, a joy I never expected to experience again. [And she doesn't even have to lie or exaggerate. It's all true.]

[Action]

[salvationfound]

Would you claim the same thing if I held a sword to your throat? I gave Anna such joy, had the audacity to believe in hope again, and then I struck her down. You should leave, Svala. I may turn my blade against you.