Valdis resumed showing him different steps, blocks, counters and resets, listening and considering his words, moving through nothing more than muscle memory.

"You are discounting one vital detail," she answered, "The Void. You know more than anyone about how dangerous it is, what it has done, and what it could still do. Even those who have seen it in action cannot comprehend the internal struggle. You know of Dante, Anton, and Wan, of how those feelings put everyone at risk, and yet here you are."

She turned, slashing down at him, more slowly than she was capable of and with the intent to pull it should he fail to block.