[What can he say? Words are his only decent skill, but he keeps losing a hold of them lately until they're all lost. He needs to say something to make this situation better. But what?]

...I won't leave you.

Whether from the Bastion, from life, or just... here, as I am.

This isn't the first time I've hit a point and fallen hard. I'll get up again, I promise. I'm a survivor, after all. [Even against his will.] I might not get up immediately, but... I'll try and make it soon. So please be patient a little longer.

[He tries to smile. It's a bit broken, held together with red string and prayer, but he's trying.]

If I let myself get too preoccupied with things that have already been done with, I might forget to teach you proper Ura, after all. And we both know that without the two of us, Raile is a helplessly lost cause, right?

So... I'll try and make it soon. Until then..

[Zulf reaches up and into something hidden under his shirt. It's a leather string, pulled up eventually to reveal the gear charm attached to it- Micia's symbol. He pulls the necklace up over his head and steps forward to try and put it around Zia's neck instead.]

Hold onto this for me. Unless someone decides to blow up the hospital- which is somewhat of a legitimate concern considering Colin is amongst our ranks- then I'll be perfectly fine here. You're the one going outside and... there's a chance that whoever was rooting around in Nathaniel's apartment from before is out there.

The Lorn Mother's protection would certainly do you more good than I. But... I'll ask for it back. When all of this is done with.

[Done one way or another.]

I'll get better, and I'll ask for it. Acobi's oath.