They finished eating in silence. When Kira left, Raziel turned towards Nyx.
"Do you want to continue training today or do you need time to process all this?"
"I want to continue." Nyx replied immediately. "If training is all I can do, then I'll train until I can't stand."
"Alright. But Nyx…" He held her arm. "What happens to those hybrids isn't your fault. They made their own choices when they attended that meeting. You didn't force them."
"But I gave them hope, and that made them weak."
"Hope isn't a weakness. It's what keeps people alive." He squeezed her arm gently. "Don't let Kira's pragmatism make you think caring about them is wrong because it's not."
"It might get them killed."
"Or it might give them reason to fight when the time comes."
Nyx wanted to believe his words. But all she could see were the faces from the meeting. Lamia's determination, Kai's hope, and Lily's trust.
