---
"What if I kill her by placing the void," John asked the system, and the word kill tasted the way rust smells.
[System Assurance: The system will regulate the field. Risk to target: low if the host follows breath and does not push. Risk to host: None. Emotional cost: unknown.]
"Can she still think for herself?"
[System: Yes. The Hollow Vow holds the dark intent to betray. It does not erase will. If she chooses to leave, she can leave. She will not be able to harm you by action or by sale of your life to another.]
"And if she tries?"
[System: Pain. Collapse. Death if the host commands it.]
"John," Fizz said aloud, soft, eyes not leaving Edda. "She talks fast. She has fast hands. I do not like fast hands."
Edda's eyes flicked to Fizz and back to John. She swallowed. The fear was open on her face now. She was letting him see it. That takes a kind of strength too, sometimes.
