Whatever Asch was saying didn't have much of an effect. It felt as though someone had stuffed cotton into her ears and muted most of the sound. She still wasn't supporting her own weight, and the tears were streaming down her face.

She wasn't as strong or as kind as he thought she was. The only reason she had any strength at all was because Asch and Father had instilled that in her. Because she had to. The only reason she was kind was because Asch had taught her to care about their people. How could she change Kimlasca without him?

How could he die?

Natalia's only response was to shake her head slowly.