Chapter Text
It would be enough. It had to be enough.
Even if it wasn’t, so long as it gave Saline enough time to get away, that was all that really mattered.
But one look in her eyes showed the truth. Finally gave him clarity.
Carter had known Vee couldn’t be trusted. Saline had done nothing to them. And yet, here she was, ready to strike them down.
Ready to strike him down to get to them.
“I’m giving you four seconds, get out of my way.”
But the four second countdown-
One.
That had to be her giving themself an out, time for her to back down, time for him to talk them out of it-
Two.
“You’re not killing them-”
Three.
And then it felt right.
Well, the sting of netherite across his chest didn’t. But the fire that spread rapidly from the cut felt... Comforting. Like it was supposed to be there. Just for a second.
Then it vanished. Along with everything else.
There was no fire here.
There was no anything. No light, no sound, no heat, no cold, not even his own body. Just an empty void.
Then Carter felt their being lacing itself back together. It felt… bad. But he didn’t have time to dwell on that:
Saline was still out there.
He rushed to his chest and grabbed his bow.