"Nobody did," Lloyd says, and it's the truth. Nobody has ever called him a burden to his face. But the dots that link Lloyd and his Kratos, this world's version of Lloyd to his Anna, they connect, painting a pattern of willingness to leave him. "I'm just not fucking blind, Anna."

Okay, maybe his tone is a little harsh. He crosses his arms, exhales deep, and shuts his eyes. They burn, still, the tears fresh in his eyes, but he wills them away best he can. He can take it. He's taken worse.

"It's fine, I get it. Honestly, I understand," he continues, and his chest aches with the frustration that underlies his voice, but he pushes the words out anyways. "You don't have to explain yourself. Once we free Colette and Zelos and get them to Mithos' tower, Sheena and I will leave and you can forget about all of this."