"Poor, selfish, deluded child, can't you see?" It cooed, stepping closer. "He's already dead."

Azrael tried to move away, but she was frozen in place as her shadow advanced, clasping its hands behind its back.

Its shoulder brushed hers.

It burned.

And then it was behind her, crushing her left wrist in a viselike grip as its right hand closed around her throat and pulled her head back.

"You force his body to stay alive, but for what purpose?" It purred in her ear, voice deceptively soft. "Because you think he will be grateful? That he'll forgive you? Stay for you?"

It chuckled; the sound was the rumble of ancient machinery grinding to life after untold centuries.

"Solus Prime's light is beautiful, but it has blinded you," it continued. "She has you convinced that you can save this world, but how can you save anything when you couldn't even save those who were most precious to you?"

Molten heat began to creep up her arm and into her jaw.

"You cannot deny me forever. When he leaves you...."

The hand around her throat released her, reaching out to press against the door of the CR chamber; the glass cracked and hissed beneath its palm, smoking as it began to melt.

"...Solus Prime will be nowhere, but I will be waiting."