Falling into ruin was a bit like falling in love: Both descents stripped you bare and left you as you were at your core. And both endings are equally painful.

Zsadist: I didn't make up the rules of this scenario
Wrath: You'll die if you go by yourself.
Zsadist: Well... I'm kind of ready to get off the ride.
Phury felt his skin get tight all over.

Love was worth sacrificing for, he thought as he left his room. Even if it wasn't yours.

Phury nodded. "And if she lives with us, we get to keep the cat.

What happened to you?" she asked.
"I got hit in the side."
"With what?"
"A knife.

From out of nowhere, Phury felt an overwhelming tide of guilt, like someone had popped the lid off all
his deepest concerns and his fears for the future of the race. He had to respond to it, couldn't bear the
pressure.
Riding the wave, he found himself saying in a rush, "We live and die for our kind. The species is our first
and only concern. We fight every night and count the jars of thelessers we kill. Stealth is the way we
protect the civilians. The less they know about us, the safer they are. That is why we disappeared.