"Indeed." Despite the severity of the situation, Jade is smiling wryly. "I think we've long since passed the point where trust could still be regained. But I'm sure she knew that already."

Then he turns to Palitutu. "For my part, I'm curious as to why you've been so quick to dismiss the Avatars as a potential solution. Our cycle has been given a way to interact with the Calamity that has never existed before. That alone makes our situation different from that of the past Heroes."

A pointed look. "It would be rather wasteful to start causing any premature rifts between us when there are still options to be explored, no?"