[ In truth she didn't want to tell him, even now she can feel herself resisting the explanation. If Percy hadn't convinced her she might not have told him at all, brushed over it as though it never happened and Vax never bargained with a god to save her.

Fingers curl tighter around the bow in her lap as he moves, her gaze almost avoiding until he speaks and it is like a dagger to her heart.

Vex'ahlia, what happened to you?

Distress is painted all across his face, in his voice, the worst possible thoughts quick to take up his head. It hurts to look at, and her gaze falls down to her hands, to knuckles slowly turning white. ]

The armor, it was trapped. You were in that whole and we didn't think to check for any traps─ [ Percy didn't, but she can't bring herself to say it. She can't live through her brother and Percy being at odds again, not considering the situation they have found themselves in. ] ─Percy managed to get away but... I didn't.

[ Vex inhales, lifting her gaze and reaching out for one of Vax's hands. ]

Kashaw was with us, so was Zahra. He managed to bring me back.

[ But it's clear from the look on her face, that there is more to it than just that. ]