[Giving up. Surrendering. Is that not what he'd just discouraged her from doing? She's doing the same thing she did before: foolishly putting her life in the hands of someone she trusts, but what reason does she have to trust him? Why, after seeing supposed friends cut each other down and vote for each other's deaths would she insist on putting her faith in strangers?

...They really are too alike. Noah's handle on the hilt tightens, loosens, tightens again. He curses, furious for reasons he can barely parse.]

Spark's sake. Don't you get it? Don't you want to live?

[Anger overwhelms him. Before he can do anything he knows deep down that he'd regret, Noah draws back his blade and throws it into the depths of the mine.]

It makes no sense! You've got nothing but time, nothing but life to live, and what good is it to you?! If I could take what you'd so gladly waste and give it to her, I'd—!

[But he wouldn't. Not even now. That wouldn't make Mio happy and he knows that.]