[Yuan inclines his head a little to the side, a halfway sort of acknowledgment.]

I understand your concerns.

[And it's because it's Botta that he grants temperance, makes some attempt at explaining himself.]

Twenty years isn't all that long, but it's been longer than that since we spoke properly. When I met him again, I nearly killed him. Perhaps I should have let him die. He said as much.

[And Yuan's irritated again quick as that, but at Kratos.]

But we aren't ready yet, and before all this he was my friend. Yes, Botta, I'm being sentimental. But Kratos isn't going anywhere, and as the seal he may be right about this one thing. Better to check and be sure than risk everything and fail.

And when the time comes, either he will release his mana, or I'll kill him myself.

[Yuan says this with a casual sort of certainty that entirely belies the way his hand hesitated at Kratos' throat earlier. Maybe he could do it; but he doesn't think he'll have to.]

It's a pity. I think the two of you would get along.