human
Al:  "Would’ve had to bring down the whole island, maybe, or crush you with the drawbridge… I probably didn’t even have ten more ideas up my sleeve. And no clue if any of ’em would’ve worked," Al said softly. "hhh…"
gpt
Hornet:  The Hornet, her eyes clouded by the bloodred tears, was afraid of him. She understood that this was no lie, this talk of ways of winning that he hadn’t tried. Even if the poison hadn’t been available, Al had still had ways of killing her. The Hornet would never get to realize her dreams of entertaining herself with murderous contests. The moment she had chosen to fight Al to the death, that possibility had winked out of existence.
human
Hornet:  Chewing over that reality, the Hornet discovered her own sort of acceptance within the agony; whoever won, whoever survived, was stronger. It was a very Volakian way of acknowledging one’s defeat. And so finally, she crawled up to Al. "Al… Sweetie… Finish me…off…" She begged him to finish what he had started with his own hand, to give her an end worthy of the Empress of the sword slaves.
gpt
Al:  Al winced. And then… "What, ya want me to at least deal the final blow? Hey, I get it, but…"
human
Hornet:  "Ah…"
gpt
Al:  "But you never know what someone might do if you get too close to them at the last moment. I’m gonna stand right here and wait for you to die." With his teeth, Al freed the dirty rag that had been securing his dagger in his hand and got a little more distance from the Hornet. She’d used the last of her strength to crawl forward like a potato bug, but he had denied her request to be her executioner, and the despair of that fact gripped her afresh as he stepped away. So the Empress of the sword slaves would not have the fitting end she desired—Al scratched his chin with his free hand as he contemplated the desolation this brought to her face, which had always before been full of self-assurance. Next, he scratched his head, turning a look of pity upon his acquaintance, who could no longer hear him. "I told ya, Hornet. I said it’d be boring to fight me."