"Architect, no," Kratos laughs. "I wouldn't need any more than myself to save Martel, and I'm not- I'm not really looking to be a driver, again. At least, certainly not to more than one blade, and certainly not to handful of blades I don't even know." The the notion is absurd at best, and uncomfortable at worst. He keeps talking, not really thinking about it. "I've only ever driven Aegises before, and Mithos and Martel could at least consent to me becoming their driver."

He'd want to leave the option open for them, anyway, should they ever need it again. Martel likely will. Mithos might even, as well-- if Martel is alive, then there will be no reason for Mithos to keep her shards.

"I was- I hadn't quite figured out what I was going to do with the core crystals, actually," Kratos says, which is a lie, of a sort. The damaged ones are definitely going to Mithos, but the others... "In theory, give them to someone I trust, I suppose. Someone who knows where to get them drivers who wouldn't hurt them. Easier said than done."

If Anna is alive, who else of her companions is...? Nia, at least. Kratos wonders if Malik is still alive, because that man always seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. He wonders if he'll actually find the time to ask.