Ryybyn descends into a downward spiral of anxiety and guilt, tears streaking down their face. “It fucking happened again, I ruined another guy. Too close to me and now a fucking empty husk – it’s my fault this happened, I, why didn’t I–”

Kolya’s voice rings through their mind, “You should have listened!”

The spiral is interrupted by Alison placing a hand on Ryybyn’s arm. She says, “Ryybyn! This is not your fault. We all decided to help you with awareness of the risks.”

Lutz interjects, “That is incorrect. Ryybyn neglected to inform us that Kotnyr possessed a magic weapon. That’s critical information that would have changed our approach.”

Ryybyn is confused and upset still. “What? I had no idea.”