"Y-your Highness, you need immediate treatment," Barbatos said, stepping closer to Taranis.
He moved his hand toward Taranis to take him away.
"S-stay... b...back, Bar...bat...os," Taranis muttered through clenched teeth, the blade he held with his jaw turning molten gold. "I... I must fight."
Barbatos's hand halted mid-motion, his eyes widening in shock. The sheer determination in Taranis's eyes, the aura surrounding him that refused to yield, and the will to fight within his broken body was something Barbatos had never witnessed before.
Whether it was hatred toward the empire or his stubborn desire to save Nymeria, Taranis had earned absolute respect from Barbatos, who had never shown respect to anyone except Voltrex.
"Then let me at least hold those two back until you deal with these soldiers," Barbatos said, pointing at Kharos and Hector, who also had their weapons drawn.
