“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..."

He felt as though his heart had stopped when his voice abandoned him.

The insight became apparent. The only person who had genuinely been good to him and shown him love was Lacerta. His desire for blood was now all that was left. The situation was bad, yet...

A maniacal smile formed on his lips.

Nothing worthwhile endures forever.

Despite how easily love could leave him, the delight of murdering could always be his. And if he murdered monsters, well, it would only serve to make those who believed in the endurance of happiness more realistic.

Yes, and he would then demonstrate that all he needed to be strong was himself.

Flashback over....

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.