[Raven feels the nearly overwhelming pull to leave, but he digs his heels in deeper and hisses back at the feral copy of Vakama. Those biting criticisms only embolden him further to not leave his friend behind.

Just from the way this version of Vakama is talking, he can't say there wasn't any merit to those criticisms. Quite honestly, Raven wouldn't want anything to do with him either. But Schwann Oltorain serves a man who grew to be very similar to this.

He's lost faith in Alexei's ability to change for the better. But Vakama is a different story. He's seen the difference for himself.]

You know, actin' like this ain't doin' you any favors. Now you're just bein' the epitome of everything yer teammates hated about ya.

[His eyes carefully follow the direction Vakama's growls are coming from, his posture defensive but prepared. He's faced down plenty of monsters in his time.]

I ain't the right person ta tell ya how ta stop hatin' yerself. That'd make me one hell of a hypocrite. But I can tell ya you're never gonna get anywhere if ya close yerself off from everyone else. You're gonna be stuck wallowin' like this fer the rest of yer days.

[He lets out a shriek.]

I'm offerin' you a hand now. [Just like those kids did for him.] You gonna take it?