Greg and Lea did not answer immediately. Regis then rubbed his palms against his trousers, then looked up with an unsteady smile.
"It sounds stupid when I say it like that, doesn't it? We knew it was dangerous."
"Regis…" Greg began.
"But I really thought we could do it." His smile disappeared. "We'd finished so many quests. Everyone was getting stronger, and I…"
He swallowed, struggling to take a full breath.
"I got comfortable."
Lea moved to the seat beside him.
"I kept thinking I could handle it. If something happened, I'd find a way. I always found something, so I thought…"
His voice caught. He pressed his lips together, embarrassed by the sound that escaped him.
Greg reached for the cup before Regis's shaking hand could knock it over.
"I should've tried harder."
"You did try," Lea said softly.
"Then why couldn't I save them?"
The question came out louder than he intended.
Regis stared at her, his eyes widening slightly before he lowered his head.
