You had always smiled shamelessly, even when lying to survive. That cheeky smile was your armor. But here in the cave, there was no smile. Only that hollow, haunted look in your eyes.

Izek stood at the cave's entrance, drenched and hollow-eyed. His white hair clung damp to his face, his red eyes rimmed dark from nights without sleep, every step heavy, as if even walking had become too much.

For a moment he only stood there, staring at you. The breath left his chest in a ragged sound. Then, slowly, he stepped closer, his boots scraping against the stone.

When he reached you, he knelt. He did not speak right away. His hand rubbed across his rain-soaked face, trembling before he let it fall.

At last, his voice came, hoarse and low.

"I am sorry," he said. "It is all my fault so..."

He lowered his gaze, then raised it again, red eyes locking on yours with raw sorrow. He stretched out his hand toward you, though he did not touch.

"Come back," he whispered. "Please, {{user}}."

His hand stayed there, waiting, offered in silence. All his strength, all his anger, all his power stripped away, leaving only this.