Alexa stares at the crimson rent in the sky and tells herself that there's no time. That if the choice wasn't sitting in front of her, if the Kaeri weren't counterboarding [i]right now[/i], she'd run to Isty's side and… fight with her? Draw her away? Tell her not to be a fool?

Alexa tells herself that this strength and impulsivity is what drew her to Isty in the first place. She's a warrior, capable of taking care of herself. Alexa's hesitation and reservedness are balanced by Isty's push to try everything, do everything. Above all else, Alexa doesn't have to fret and worry that something's going to happen while she's away. Isty can take it. She's safe.

She tells herself she couldn't stop Isty if she [i]tried[/i]. Might not have been able to even at her peak, and certainly can't stop a champion lit with the fires of Ares now. She's [i]felt[/i]that power. The joy, the freedom! Felt how it fills your veins like a drumbeat, your limbs like lightning, pushes you forward and faster until there's nothing in the world but the yourself and the person you're aimed at.

None of that makes it feel like any less of a betrayal when she nods and turns to lead the Alcedi back to the ship.