In the end of it all, no matter how many lives lost or families ruined, nor how guilty and riddled his conscience, Kaj would never regret his decisions. He would take upon himself the agony of knowing he's been the one to help orchestrate the invasion, had even been one of the few to come up with the idea itself. Standing in the half-dark with the dying sun warming his sinful hide from behind, he found himself grateful for there being one less witness to the sins he would soon commit. Kaj could not feel full regret for his decisions, his impending actions. His family would always come first, nothing would ever change that. It was a dog eat dog world, and Kaj would make sure his family lived even if it was at the cost of another's. His soul would merely have to bear the burden, just as Mirage's had. Kaj took in strength from the nearness of his family, drawing in their spirits and calming his own with the knowledge that they stood by him even in darkness and death. It seemed a few were reluctant to stand there, the falseness rotting even Kaj's teeth. Such behavior did not suit him, was a skin he could not comfortably fit into, but it heralded victory and survival. Thor's closed visage reminded him of his weird accusations, and Kaj's heart grew ever heavier with sorrow. It seemed his fears of always being seen as a title had been actualized. The fact that it came from one who had held the same position was still baffling, but Kaj mourned Thor's perception of him. If the Storm Bringer was a warped mirror for Thor's own psyche, then he would strive to help his kin, even if it demonized him. At least he could help one person, Kaj thought somberly, gazing out across the grounds that would soon be fed with blood. Only the knowledge that he was there to save his family kept him rooted on the spot.

Gentle voice broke him free, and Kaj glanced wearily down at his beloved sister. He knew how hard it was for her and Alysanne to be there, their natures were so vehemently oppositional to the crimes Kaj would soon order his people to commit. Her words brought him only a calm sort of hatred for himself, and he offered a dead smile that was likely achieving only the opposite of what he'd intended. "It would be better if I did not return, zus. I am destroying a family for the sake of mine," he whispered, eyes sliding to the horizon. Valiance's claws were nimble and familiar as they braided his locks, tucking them away. Kahlua's armor on his neck was heavy with the reminder that it was not just Resplendence he'd dragged into the mess. Taking a shuddering inhale the king tried to let his mind fall blank. A machine made for war. Not had done so unwillingly before, but it seemed he could not hide from his broken conscience for the duration of the invasion. Perhaps it was a fitting punishment.

All around him others went alive with the call, and as ARCHIBALD shook the earth with a cry as horrendous and imposing as his magic, the king thrust his wings. Beneath his hooves the ground had started to shake, but the Storm Bringer was already flying low across the earth, eyes darting between his fighters with fear in his heart for them. It was a weight he doubted he would be able to escape. He could find no words to shout to encourage them, instead hoping the few who believed in him would find his body in the skies skimming low over their own and take strength in him. Or perhaps whatever he seemed to symbolize.

A slim mare caught his eye, one of the cold dwellers no doubt. His heart ached to see her youth, the cold fury of her eyes as she sprang for a stallion nearby. Kaj altered his path, descending from his low altitude on the opposite side AVIYA was attacking. He did so as silently as he could manage, angling his body so he was almost perpendicular to the enemy, forehooves poised to crack down upon the brute's left shoulder should AVIYA drive ROSTISLAV towards Kaj with her own attack.

Inside, he wondered if Thor and Mirage would somehow still be able to demonize him for the agony he felt in that moment, aiming to strike his first blow.