Daishoga laughed. He laughed so much that it sent him into a brief coughing spell. His chest felt heavy, and his body was weak, but it felt good to laugh. His anger could only hold sway within his heart for so long. He was greatly amused that she thought he would be angry at her. That he would hate her. That she was to blame for anything that was happening in the present moment.<br/><br/>Ignoring the pain, Daishoga forced himself into a sitting position. Whatever his weakness was, he hated to appear weak in front of anyone. The drain of his energies had left him humbled in a way he had never been humbled before. Whereas a state like this might have lasted only briefly before, it wasn't going away now. This was a weakness that had never been known to him until this moment. Not only was he weak, he was a caged beast. But, Sage was with him as well. He could appreciate that fact.<br/><br/>"I don't hate you," Daishoga said, flatly. "I don't even dislike you. Quite the opposite, actually. This was not your doing. I'm well aware of that fact. This is nothing more than fate's hand finally turning against my favor. For so many years I was unlucky, but lucky. I survived assassination attempts. I survived the assault on my country that left my mother dead. I survived several years with no place to go and a bounty on my head. Perhaps this is that luck finally turning the other way. But perhaps not. Perhaps, as usual, I'll find a way not only to survive but to thrive. With or without my powers, I will not go down without a fight. Your father believes me to be captive, but he has merely cornered himself. He has revealed himself. I did not see your father as the type of man to pull off a stunt like this, but I can appreciate it. Having the assistance of one of the few people I can trust was...unexpected. Even to me."<br/><br/>Daishoga stopped speaking and looked at the bars of the cage. Outside the land had turned wild. They were passing along a pathway that shot through a large forest. Above the sky was an iron grey and threatened to rain. But, it was slowly getting later and later/ Eventually they would stop. The trip to Reltica was not a trip one made in a single day.<br/><br/>"...I see now why you acted the way you did," Daishoga whispered, softly. "Being in chains was nothing new to you. Some chains offer the illusion of freedom, but they're chains all the same. I imagine that was what it must have been like to live with your father. I was curious as to why you were so obedient despite the wild fire I saw in your eyes. Listen to me, Sage. I don't hate you as you might think I should. I reiterate this because it is important. I trust you. I didn't think I could trust you for awhile. But, I believe I have to put my trust in someone if I am to get out of this predicament, and you are the card fate has dealt me."<br/><br/>He groaned as a fresh wave of pain lanced throughout his body as he got onto his hands and knees, crawling over to where she sat. He sat down directly beside her and her took her hand in his own.<br/><br/>"Will you prove me that my trust is not ill placed?"