Damon could understand the moral dilemma. However, hunger didn't understand morality. He knew that all too well. A hungry person would eat anything edible. His life on the streets and his constant need to feed his shadow with human flesh were reminders of that cruel truth. Once, in a distant past, these creatures might have been human. They must have had lives to live—loved ones even. But now, they were just monsters born from rot. They had no humanity left. They didn't even look human anymore. He could understand the problem they were all facing. It was sick. Twisted. But it was necessary for their survival. He had made the same choice when he first got his shadow—feed it human flesh or die in pain and starvation. He hadn't made that choice willingly. He had hesitated, unsure. Lucky or unlucky for him, his shadow could take over when it was ravenous. It would search for prey on its own. Damon didn't consider these creatures human. If they were truly human, then why didn't devouring their corpses ever satisfy the hunger of his shadow? He could feel its hunger growing again. He was barely keeping it at bay. Wasting his power by suppressing it with his Sacrifice Skill. Worse, his mana crystals had long since been exhausted. There was a heavy silence since he last spoke. "These were once people. We can't eat them." Xander's voice was slow and steady. He might have eaten them if he didn't know they were running out of rations. Eating monsters had been the easiest path—they'd been doing it since the Whispering Forest. But now… it felt different. Perhaps it was Valarie's words that changed something in him. She had told them these monsters were once human. Damon sighed. The others still weren't acting, it was a difficult thing to accept. For any normal person the act was just too savage. "Right, I understand what you're saying. I'd rather eat anything else. But we don't have the food to fight our way out of this city. We have to eat what we have…" He grabbed at the ground crawlers. "Remember our party motto—we have to use anything we can." Evangeline held her sword, head lowered. She acknowledged the logic behind it but humans were more than just logic. "I know, but…" He sighed again, he couldn't help but feel slightly irritable. "But nothing. I didn't want to tell you this back in the Whispering Forest, but most of those monsters we encountered must have once been people too. We can't let that stop us now." They had eaten some of those monsters, they had done it before.. maybe unaware but still. There was another silence. Then Valarie spoke, her lips on Damon's shoulder. "He's right. But these aren't human anymore. I know it's difficult now that you know, but your lives are far more important…" The pair of lips curled into a gentle smile, sharing her wisdom. "Tell you what—I have a suggestion. Are you open to it?" Evangeline looked at Valarie, who still rested on Damon's shoulder. "What do you suggest? You… knew the people once…" Damon narrowed his eyes. People? Was she seriously calling these monsters people? Was she blind? He bit his lip. He couldn't get carried away now. Eating another human left a scar on his heart. If he could do it to a real person, why couldn't they do the same to monsters? Valarie smiled softly, her lips illuminated in the morning light. "You don't have to eat them. My suggestion is just to take enough for you to eat…" Sylvia frowned, clearly suspicious. "Didn't you say we didn't have to eat them?" Damon sensed there was a plan behind this. Was she going to convince them to accept it. Or would she side with them instead and give them false hope. He couldn't be sure just yet. Valarie's lips parted again. "Yes, you don't have to. My suggestion is to take enough to last you as food—just in case. On the off chance you don't find anything else for sustenance, you can substitute. If you find something better, get rid of it. If not… you'll have something. Emergency rations." Damon finally saw her trick. She wasn't making them accept it—she was convincing them they could find another monster that hadn't once been human. Though deep down, he doubted it. Lysithara was a ruined city. Every monster here was once a person. He nodded. "She's right. You know if we leave without food, we'll die. We can't do without rations. You don't have to eat it—we just take some, just in case." The others all looked at him, nodding reluctantly. Damon sighed. Being a leader was difficult. Sometimes even he had to compromise. He had to remind himself not to let emotions carry him away. This was a moral dilemma his party had never faced before. They went about cutting the flesh, draining the remaining blood, and soaking it in water created by Leona's magic. Then they smoked it. They worked quickly and efficiently—they'd done this too many times not to be. Valarie remained silent on Damon's shoulder as they butchered the ground crawlers. "…Are you sad?" Damon asked softly. "No… I'm just nostalgic, that's all. If their flesh could help you all survive, then I'm sure the people they used to be would've been happy. If anything, I should be grateful to you all." Damon glanced at her. "For what?" She paused, as if recalling something distant and terrible. Her lips, expressive even in their limited form, trembled slightly. "You put them out of their misery. It must have been hard… turning into a monster. I hope they all find peace… in death." Damon took a deep breath. "I hope so too." The others gathered around, packed and ready to go. He glanced again at Valarie. "Let's go. You promised to help us find a waypoint." Valarie smiled. "Come. There's one not too far from here. You'll soon be home, my dear students…"