[strength bled from a stone rises up in him, just enough to push away livio's support and take a few steady steps back. the sands shift beneath his feet, everything hurts. knives stands his ground, despite how much he wants to sink beneath these dunes. he has to chase away the dog first.]

No.

[his head lifts, cropped hair ink black and dusted by red sand. knives regards livio wearily, scowling.]

Taking after my brother will lead you to your own death far quicker than most your kind. [he had left vash with an apology unbefitting his actions, but now at the end of his mortal rope it wouldn't matter any longer. knives looks away from livio, gaze drifting over the desolate landscape around them.] Either kill me or leave me be.