[color=mediumorchid]"You..."[/color] Alvios' eyes widened as he looked at the transformation on Melina. Just as it had started with Cilia. His body stiffened, and he looked back at Cilia, eyes glowing. His sword tore itself from the distant ground, and flew into an outstretched hand, clad in light now.

     [color=mediumorchid]"What is this, then? Vengeance?! This isn't right! Even... even if you could have saved yourself, why did you drag Melina into this?! If you were strong, why did you submit to the Swarm! Why have you let them run amok?! You... You aren't Cilia. You [i]know[/i] Melina isn't like you. She will [i]never[/i] resist this. And the Cilia I remember would never sacrifice her sister to satisfy some petty revenge."[/color] He took a step forward, armor covering his arms and legs once more, although it sparked vaguely with instability.

     [color=mediumorchid]"In all of us, there is hidden some root of despair, for in all of us, there is pride."[/color] He looked up at Cilia, a dark expression on his face. [color=mediumorchid]"Fine, then. Call my decision wrong, call it corrupt. But what if you [i]didn't[/i] save yourself? What if my softness had gotten me killed, and you became the leader of the Swarm anyway? Who would be left to defend the village?"[/color] He readied his blade, narrowing his eyes at Cilia. [color=mediumorchid]"I love you, Cilia, but I will not risk the lives of many to save the few, even if it breaks my heart. As the Swarm's queen, I must cut you down again. For Corona. For justice. And I will repent through pain and regret, through nightmares and tears."[/color]

     Alvios leapt up at Cilia, ready to cut her down again, willing to repeat history for the greater good.