[He should have expected that, but he didn't—and his first reaction is to pull away even as he's being whirled around.]

I don't...need backup. I just...

I wasn't going to fight anything.

[Which is not an explanation, he knows. But he also knows how hopeless it is. Gods can go home. Shinki...are already dead. Even in the best-case scenario, that's—]

[What's the name for doing something he already knows is fruitless? Even though he knows. Even though he should already know.]

...I can't face it.

[Saying it out loud will make it real.]

I promise you I'll return. Just let me go.