Sacrifice

Also, two warriors appeared before them. Two phenomenally powerful warriors clad in thick star metal armor and weapons that rivaled those of Steplinus. Zion immediately guessed their identity.

"Look what you've done, Zion," Darian continued, implacable, his icy gaze fixed on the newcomers, "you've brought destruction to Vaegos, for the second time. They were all right. You really are a curse."

"Darian!" cried his mother again, charging at him with a stunned and distressed look.

But the latter was not finished.

"I have lost so much strength in bringing back to life all those who were killed by these execrable invaders, and in securing the majority of my people against their annihilation, that I still wonder how I managed to find myself still here moving and talking. But know this, Zion, if ever these noxious monsters demanded in exchange for the end of all this destruction, your being, I would accept it without hesitation or concession."