Lyonesse knew she had let him land that blow. It would have been as easy as breathing for her to recall her weapon and stab him with it - he had been well within range. Instead, she'd let him stop her. He knew he didn't have much time - a few minutes, maybe.

"I am so sorry, Painite," he said, his voice soft. He knew she couldn't hear him, but he meant the apology with every bit of him. He didn't want to fight her, to hurt her - to fight any of his old comrades and friends.

But he had to balance the weight of saving his planet against the desire not to hurt his friends, and in the end, his planet won out. This was what he had to do.

Even if it hurt.

He turned, and he fled, and he hated himself at every step, because he shouldn't have to run, but he did anyway. It felt disgusting and cowardly, but he had to keep living. He couldn't just lay down and die.

Lithiasaur