She gave him a pitying look.

“There is no greater weakness than letting the desire to kill rule your heart. I cannot accept such weakness, I will not accept such weakness."

"You're mine!" Theron yelled desperately. "You said so! You don't get a choice!"

Tears welled anew in her eyes.

“I gave you my everything, now you force me to take it back. I only hope that this will wake you up. I love you

Theron.”

“Stop!"

He ran toward her, raising a hand futilely even as Lacerta cut smoothly through artery and windpipe alike. Blood sprayed out upon the floor and

Theron, the Lizard woman collapsing in his arms, her life rapidly draining away. He couldn't believe she could die so quickly even from such a wound, it was as if her body itself had given up on living.

The look of peace in her eyes as her life faded, so different from the anguish she had shown speaking to him, would haunt him for the rest of his life.

“Lacerta! Lacerta!" he shook her, hot tears streaming down his face as he struggled to accept the truth.

“You can't! You can't leave me!

You're mine! You're..."

His voice left him, it felt as if his heart had stopped. The realization sank in. Lacerta had really been the only truly good thing in his life, the only one who offered him love. Now all that was left was his bloodlust. It was not a good thing but...

His lips curled into a manic smile.

“Nothing good lasts forever."

Love could abandon him so easily, but the thrill of killing, that could always be his. And if he killed monsters... well, that would only spread reality to those who believed their happiness could last.

Yes, and in turn he would prove all he needed was himself to be strong.

End Flashback

Taki kept her focus, amazed that Theron could keep his guard up so well while raging so much. Pressing her against the tree he kept them at an impasse. The rookie hunter himself seemed transfixed by the tale the man was ranting about.