He nodded. "I'm sure at some point we'll be wondering about our own humanity as well," he added.

But not everything was awful here, and just like moments laughing together were important after missions, if he stayed scared all the time, he wouldn't get anything done. And as in the last Arena, it was even a weapon that could be used against him. Now that it had happened a couple times, the actual dying part was less terrifying.

He settled his hand back on the book and ran a thumb over the cover almost reverently. "There are some nice things about this place. I'll show you the library later."