[His head shrieked and ground with the noise and pressure of misaligned gears, Viktor reaching back in hope to see this nightmare reach its end--then everything burst in motion and chaos, in a snarling voice that mocked him just as much as it did his companion.]

[So that's what this is. I see it now--you inflict your own punishment just as I do.]

You are right. [His voice scraped on modulators of steel, worn by pain and exhaustion as Viktor forced himself to stand with both hands gripping his staff.] Clarity at the end of all things...is no comfort for the lives ended. There is no true way to balance the equation, not even in death.

[The joints in delicate metal hands creaked in a tightening grip on what had once been an immaculate crutch, Viktor forcing himself to stand straighter.]

But the attempt must be done. Even if true atonement is an impossible task, the effort must be made. Even if it should mean dragging oneself inch by inch out of hell.

There will always be those willing to forgive. The only way to bear guilt is to let them. If your hands find only destruction...let them be guided by others.