"Maybe… maybe he has a point."
"We've already rescued a lot of people, right?"
"Yeah… nobody would blame us for going back."
"If there are really that many sanguines ahead…"
Murmurs rippled through the gathered cadets.
"You're right."
Eyes widened, Lasner's included. None of them had expected Zephyrion to agree so suddenly.
A smile spread across Lasner's face.
"I'm glad yo—"
"You're right. It is dangerous. There'll be more sanguines ahead, and I can't promise everyone will make it back alive. If that frightens you, I understand." A heavy pressure leaked from Zephyrion. "But I refuse to abandon a single Ferran. Whether you follow me or not… that's your choice."
"I-I'm coming with you!" Horus stepped forward.
"…Me too." Tobias moved to stand beside Zephyrion, though his closed eyes made the whole thing look rather strange.
"If Zephyrion hadn't come for us, we'd still be getting tortured. I'm with him." Fiona hurried to Zephyrion's side.
