[ Even though she can't see him, Kiriona knows what Crux's face looks like. It is all twisted up in self-righteous rage. If Crux could feel satisfaction, he'd feel the satisfaction of the last laugh. He could still be alive. Kiriona can still hear the sound of a feeble old man gasping for air. She spared the lungs and went for the heart, instead.

But Ortus won't let her. He has taken away her sword and her last chance at feeling good, at making this go right. He took it from her so easily, like he doesn't understand that this is all Kiriona Gaia has. This is what she is the heir to.

She will realize, later, that she is screaming. ]

No! No!! Let me go, asshole!

[ She takes a fist and pounds once, twice, and there is not nearly as much strength in it as there should be. Her dead body remembers what it is like to be exhausted.

Quieter, hoarser: ]

He's going to say he's sorry. He's going to. He will. He'll look at me, and know he fucked up, and I -- I -- I'll feel good again.