Matias stepped forward, glaring straight at Dante now.

"Listen. You can use whatever skills you have without being in a place that treats you like a literal punching bag."

His words were laced with poison and fire, spat out from between furious lips. He pointed, his finger a bit too close for comfort to Dante's chin bruise.

"Your brother, wasn't it? Tell him to shove it. You're only 'letting them win' by letting them beat and burn you."

His eyes narrowed.

"The whole point of our damn rebellion is to keep stuff like this from happening. You're making it worse, if anything. So cut it out."