The confession broke him.
Reinhard felt it all, Odin's anger at the universe's cruel mechanics, his self-loathing for his own naivete, his despair at the cost, and the crushing weight of regret.
He clenched his fists, his bronze nails piercing his own pale skin, drawing droplets of his own blood to mingle with hers on the ice. "There has to be… There has to be another way! Maybe we can-"
Adumala shook her head, a final, definitive gesture. "Once you went into the River, there was no way back. Unless you devour me, my protection will fade. The blessing and power inside you will burst your body, and erase you from existence. It is the final catalyst."
Odin's eyes widened before trembling as he said. "You… You did it on purpose. To make sure I had no choice."
