Everything had changed the moment he had mentioned that Yuna could summon Shiva. While it had been to ward Alex away from causing them further trouble, it only seemed to cause Alex to take a vested interest in a way that Caius didn't like one bit. Alex had gotten so serious, so short. And so quick to suddenly want to bring an end to this conversation, as though he were in a hurry. More than ever before, even more than when he was yelling at Prompto, Caius was seeing red flags. And the more Alex spoke, the worse it got.

"If you intend to start a fight with Celes and Yuna, I don't care how invincible you think you are. I'm confident in their ability to make you regret trying" Caius decided to just up and say as he rose out of the tub. The sudden biting cold made him grit his teeth, but he didn't care. His objective came first, and nothing would stop him. "But if you do them harm... They're good people. Done more to protect this world's people than anyone. And most importantly..."

Caius didn't hesitate, and the knife he had been hiding was now out and poised in a backwards grip, in case he needed to fight.

"If you do them harm. I don't care who you're associated with -- I will do whatever it takes to protect those I care for. And that includes striking you down if I have to."

His eyes were as piercing as the knife he brandished. The knife itself was deathly sharp, something he had put together personally on the forge. He had learned that a Kingsglaive should never find themselves unarmed, no matter the circumstances.

"And that girl has suffered enough. Let her run her clinic in peace. Those people need her, and she deserves to not have to fight if there isn't a need. She's not like you or me."

While Caius still had some drink in him, he had weighed the possibilities to the best of his ability.

Noctis would understand. And Prompto had wanted him off the mission altogether. But the truth was, while Caius hadn’t initially pegged Alex as actually dangerous… This had changed things. If Alex was at real threat to suddenly flip and go after their loved ones on a whim, he could no longer be trusted. That would make him a liability on their mission if he was capable of turning on them just like that to suit his own whims.

Would it be harder without him? Yes. But he needed to keep Yuna safe, and an untrustworthy person that could flip would be a problem. Caius would just have to ensure his distraction was as efficient as possible. Did he want to kill Alex? Not really. But it depended on what Alex made him have to do.

“Protecting people, especially those under my roof, is my job” Caius expressed calmly, his expression remaining as piercing as it was. “If you understood that responsibility, maybe Cassandra wouldn’t have left.”

Caius didn’t care if that cut Alex deep or angered him further. To be honest, he would almost prefer if he reverted back to just being annoying. It needed to be said. Alex started asking questions with lengthy answers, and started hastily preparing his exit. And that was what gave it away. He was leading Caius outside. So Alex could use his magic. So with that, Caius withdrew and hid the knife once more. He wouldn’t need it yet. If Alex was preparing for a full scale fight right here, when the fight could still be averted, that may very well have confirmed his suspicions about the man.

Caius changed quickly, but grabbed the whole suit. He had no intentions of fighting in it, but if Alex intended to hear what he had to say, it would force him to stick around. So Caius had the means to take his time. If Alex was planning to charge his magic, he couldn’t do so until they were outside the barrier. If Alex intended to ambush him, Caius was going to be ready for it.

Shiva cannot be allowed to roam unchecked.

Well, that was one way to declare your intentions.

“Watchers, arbiters, guardians of Eos. Who intervene when it is in peril" Caius answered in what was probably shorter than Alex would like. "When need be, they forge a covenant with the King of Lucis to protect the realm."

Caius had weighed the dangers of telling Alex that the King could do the same. He already intended to alert Noctis and Prompto of this encounter, and Alex wasn't stupid enough to try to take on all three of them. Probably. If he was, he'd be soundly defeated.

"Yuna's covenant is similar. Forged to protect. Though Yuna doesn't enjoy fighting, and joined up with us only to aid people" he added once he was finished dressing. He didn't know if stressing Yuna's character and intentions would spare her that fight, but his last beliefs that there was a human being under all Alex was, begged him to try. "If you're so concerned with Shiva making an appearance, then leave her alone."

Caius dried himself off adequately, dressed and headed out. On the way out, the owner would approach. He looked a bit nervous, since the entire building had heard Alex's previous screeching.

"Did-did you enjoy the hot spring, sir?"

Caius turned his gaze to them, making sure Alex was still in view before he would smile slightly.

"I've never had a hot spring bath before, it was very refreshing. I quite like the environment -- though it was strange that I could hear everything our female compatriots were saying in the next room. I don't even know how you can make stone that thin. I may come again, but it would be nice to have a bit more privacy in future."

His gaze briefly flicked to the girls whom had just left their own hot tub, and had heard every word he'd just said. Something was very suspicious about this place, and if he had time, perhaps he would investigate later. But it was best he subtly warn the other patrons something was amiss. Just in case. The reaction of the other patrons to him saying that, however, told him that perhaps there were bigger risks than he had assumed.

"I-I see!" the bathkeeper stammered even harder at that. "You must have some impeccable hearing, sir! There's no such thing as thin stone, haha!"

Caius had already waved and started walking out in the middle of that, not wanting to give Alex any time to get out and prepare his ambush. He was starting to see why they had been giving out free baths to drum up business... Something was wrong here. But for now, he would step out. The moment that he could feel his magic again, he would suddenly change his attire in a flash. Now in his armor, he would pull the hood over his head.

With that, he continued to keep his gaze on Alex.

"I have no desire to fight, or to bring you harm. But if you present yourself as a threat to Yuna, then I have a job to do."

Alex started talking again. And had used some kind of spell, Caius noticed, but he wasn't sure what it did. What he did do, however, was adjust his stance to be ready for an attack. This time, Alex talked at length. At the least, Caius somewhat now understood his motivations. They were just, albeit misguided and being handled like... Well, Alex. And there were flaws to his logic, as well.

"I wouldn't say it's dead. Magic is harder to use here in Sonora, but depending on where you are, I've never had access to more magic in my life than I have on Zephon. Just because it lacks a Lifestream, doesn't mean something hasn't taken its place. Magic has to come from somewhere, there's no way it can be as abundant as it is without something being the root" Caius offered the best wisdom he could on the matter. If he could talk this fool out of violence, then he had to try. But he was prepared to do what he had to do if need be.

"I can say one thing. The Shiva that Yuna summoned is different from the one in Eos" the mercenary brought up then, pacing a bit, not letting Alex gain too much distance. Caius could close it in an instant, but he would rather save the magic. "There's enough resemblance to the Shiva I know, but... It's clearly different. I would wager it's different from the one in your world too."

So Alex offered his ultimatum. If it was an egi, he would drop it. If it wasn't, he would kill it. If it returned, he would kill Yuna. Caius felt his temper flare the moment he said he would. Caius sped his walk, headed straight for Alex.

"Time out."

If allowed to close the distance, Caius would roughly grasp Alex's jacket. The kingsglaive's eyes told it -- he was fuming with anger. The shake of his hands said he wanted to punch the stupid self-proclaimed "Hero" square in his stupid face, but considering he hadn't by now, would hopefully tell Alex that Caius didn't intend to. Not yet anyway.

"Are you telling me..." the mercenary's temper began to boil over as his grip tightened and he stared Alex dead in the eyes. His teeth were grit, his eyes were wide and he had taken an expression completely uncharacteristic to the generally stoic Caius. "That you didn't do a SINGLE BIT OF RESEARCH before causing Celes all that sh-t?! Before trying to SABOTAGE A HEALING CLINIC!? ARE YOU THAT STUPID?!"

If Alex hadn't used loom to get away by now, Caius would have taken a deep breath and shoved him away just to keep himself from actually striking him. He had lost his temper once today, and he hadn't had enough time away to prevent it from completely slipping out of control. And this time, there was no Noctis here to help Caius calm down. No Celes, no Yuna, no Lumina. Absolutely nothing to help him re-center. Caius could only work bit by bit to channel his fury into words instead of trying to slug the banjos out of Alex, or worse, gut him like a fish.

"Do you know absolutely NOTHING about us? Were you really just going to storm into a HEALING CLINIC, interrogate and possibly kill an innocent woman over something you don't even know if she knows a thing about? If you had spent FIVE MINUTES looking into us instead of moaning about us, then you'd know none of this would have been necessary! Gods, it's like you just ENJOY hurting people if you can find an excuse for it! Is that it? Is that what you like doing? Finding reasons to hurt people like you did Prompto? Because he didn't bloody deserve it either! He's just a kid, and you went out of your way to hurt him because he wounded your fragile-ass pride! Did you like doing that? Did you get some sick satisfaction out of humiliating him in front of his crush, seeing him run to the bathroom in tears? Did you like seeing your so-called "friend" Noctis want to punch you in the face? Is that what gets your rocks off, Sorel? Making people miserable? Hurting, killing, with whatever excuse you can muck up to justify it in that mush-brained skull of yours?!"

Finally, he began to settle. Caius held his head as that headache had been nursing since Seventh Heaven began to further intensify. Another deep breath, this time to center himself. Nobody was going to help him, he had to settle it himself. He wasn't used to losing his cool like this, he had always been in control of himself. Always been able to restrain.

But today had just been... Hard.

"I'm sorry," he spoke softly. "I didn't... Ahh, gods. I'm not used to this. It's been a day, and I don't think what I was drinking was strong enough."

It clearly wasn't, if he was still in misery like this. He honestly should have just declined the hot spring and kept trying to find somewhere to crash.

"Look. I don't know how many times I have to say it. Protecting these people? It's our job. Know why we get business as mercenaries? Because people know that we're dependable, because when sh!t hits the fan, we're there to protect them with no interest in reward for that side of things. You should know by now what I'm about, and that I would do whatever it took to protect the people here. I was a Kingsglaive. And it's not just me. Celes fought to save her world. Yuna, as innocent and pacifistic as she is, forged that covenant because she was one of the only ones who could protect her world and its people. So many of the ones who have joined our ranks? Are the same. They want what's best for the people here. And me? I'll make damn sure they can live to make that dream come true, doesn't matter who I have to fight or strike down. We're only even a mercenary unit to ensure those people can make a living to pursue those dreams. That's it. That's what we're about."

That last burst of passion finally drained the adrenaline he had left, and Caius' voice began to fall and quieten.

"So if something is at threat to drain this world's aether, or gods forbid could enslave or kill this world's people... Don't you think that would be just as much a concern to us, as it is to you? Do you think Yuna, who I've told you over and over just wants to help people, wouldn't hear you out and if this Shiva is indeed a danger, wouldn't seek to do something about it?"

Caius took a chance to catch his breath. To calm down. To try to compose himself once more. If Alex had his word vomit to get out, this was probably the best time. Afterwards, Caius would decide what he felt was the best course of action.

"After this business we have here is done. I can accompany you to Provo. We can sit down with Yuna and find out what we can. If it's an egi, good enough. If it's not, we'll work together, research this Shiva of hers, and find a solution. Yuna won't stand for the threat of something that could kill or enslave this world. That's not who she is. If she refuses for whatever reason, I know that Celes and I can help to figure out the best way to proceed. Are these terms acceptable?"

He phased right through Alex, and he honestly didn't care. It needed to be said. Alex dismissed most of it, but Caius had gotten it out of his system so it didn't flare him up anymore. Now that he had been able to properly outlet everything, he was calmer and back in control of the situation. Or, at least he was in regards to himself. But the fact Alex was now using magic, and likely preparing an ambush if the aether he could feel beginning to build was any indication, that was a problem. His gaze moved around briefly before fixing to a point that he kept note of for later. He knew he'd likely need to utilize that backup plan soon.

"You can put on this act all you want. You're still being foolish" Caius admonished him, kicking the knife from within a compartment in his boot and catching it between his fingers. While he couldn't fully plan until he saw what Alex intended, he could prepare for possibilities. "You have no experience with Yuna. Or you'd know there hasn't been a single act of tempering. Despite there being situations where if that option were available, it would have been deemed necessary by an Eikon to use. With a very strong risk that Yuna could be killed if they didn't. But none of our enemies ever flipped sides like that. There were never stories of the Astrals doing that either. Because they're not your Eikons."

Because they were from a completely different world from Alex's. Which despite trying to act like he was a god, still wasn't getting through his thick skull apparently.

"You will not go near her without an escort. You've proven I can't trust your judgement on the matter" was his final word on that. "Adagium and its associated scourge is Eos business. But considering you can't work with or treat others like human beings, only inferiors, I have no reason to tell you a damn thing. So if you're going to ambush me, just get it over with."

He held the blade in a reverse grip once more.

"I'm not afraid to die for the people I care about."