The trek back to Draco was far slower then the walk there. Tired from their battle and carrying trophies slowed them down - especially Hellion, with its massive sandworm mandible that it realized might have been a bit too big to reliably carry. But there was not a single chance it was going to show an inkling of weakness, even after facing, and killing, a literal sandworm.

But they made it, limbs and bodies intact, almost unharmed from their ordeal. The strange hint of openness that V-Ruby-One had show to the onyx at the end of their fight had completely closed off as they'd returned to Draco. Returned back to their chains, where the Black Spire ever watched, even infected deeper into its mind. It didn't look its way, nor at its companion, as it strode suddenly much quicker through the Aperture and into the main area of Draco.

Almost out of breath, arms burning from the effort of carrying the mandible, it at last released its prize with a resounding thud of impact echoing through the dark cave as bone met rock. It stood tall next to its prize, crossing all four of its arms as it waited for Master Vargas to notice that they had returned - and congratulate them on a job well done.

It's head raised higher at the Master's praise (not that it needs the praise! It was just well-earned and well-deserved!) and one of its arms uncrossed, settling one paw to rest on the mandible. "It died and we walked away with only scratches." Of course, he would want a more detailed report, but the Helion considered, for a rebellious moment, leaving it at that.

But the moment passed. It wasn't feeling particularly swayed at the moment, the beast within still peacefully dormant, so it gave a little more. "I used dark lightning to paralyze it. The onyx used his bow to hit weak spots, definitely hit an artery. We did not let it burrow back into the sand once it was free. He jumped on the beast and stabbed with his dagger while I used flame and lightning to weaken it. My fire down its throat is what ended its life." It pointed to its shoulder, where the one open wound it had sustained was scabbing over. "This is all it did to me. Bruises too, but those will heal fast."

It looked towards the onyx, to see if he had anything to add. A slight heat to its glare said, in silent tones, I talked about how you did a good job. Now you better do the same for me.

Approval for the Onyx-three's compliments had it nod once and move its glare away. But an addition it didn't expect caused it pause. Honored to work with it in the future. He didn't mean that, he was just trying to suck up to Master Vargas. It had accepted long ago that nobody wanted to work with it, and it preferred the solo living. It didn't have to watch out for anyone, didn't have to think about anyone but itself. Granted, it hadn't felt like Onyx-Three had been any kind of obstacle or barrier holding it back against the sandworm - quite the opposite, he had been a good distraction. But still, it didn't believe a single word.

Its eyes raised to meet Master Vargas's and its lip curled as a sourceless anger welled up within it. Being all calm and composed while talking down to it like a lowly worm, a teacher to a student, like it cared for anything he had to teach. It was not stirring the sleeping beast deep within its belly, not yet, so the fire wasn't quite running through its veins yet. But it was a close thing.

So instead of a complete blow-up, it simply scoffed. "Sandworms burn," it retorted, loudly. "if you shove fire down their throats. And letting go feels good. Was I supposed to learn something else?"

It wanted to grow angry and more angry and it occurred to it then that it didn't know why. Why it felt the need to explode into rage at every possibility of a slight against it. But Vargas chides me again like I'm a child. Like I do not know who is or is not the enemy! But was he an enemy? It didn't know if it respected Vargas or hated him.

It grit its teeth, both arms crossed across its chest and a hunch coming over its back. "Not my enemy, huh?" it spat. "Fine, but I don't meditate. I don't go close. I hate that thing." It's eyes glanced up and glared at the twisting spire beyond them. Just staring at it made its stomach twist uncomfortably. "You want to teach me to control chaos? Might as well ask me to ungrow a chrysalis. Does that not sound ridiculous to you?"

It snorted and then stood back up to its full height, words suddenly beginning to tumble out of its mouth, frustrations built up and the dam released by the temporary removal of the beast inside. "You know what I learned? I learned that when I destroy and let go, it feels good. And it would have felt better if I didn't have to avoid hitting Onyx-Three. I don't know what you think you can do with me, but I know why I was made. Azrael told me - to be a weapon of chaos, to be powerful and to destroy Order. Fine. Point me at them. I'll destroy them. I don't care. It felt good to lose it. Let me lose it."

Helion V-Ruby-One then curled in on itself again, hunched, looking away, feeling an unfamiliar sting at its eyes from the sudden feeling of rawness in its chest. Fuckin. Stupid. It glared at its trophy and shrugged. "Mount it. Destroy it. Make weapons. I don't care."