[The creature moves to bite him, and instinctively, Zelgadis raises an arm to block it. Normally, this works. Most creatures can't bite through stone.

But it puts a little more strength into that chomp, and... there's another heavy cracking sound as its jaw closes around his arm. This time, it's less of a surprise than the first. He's able to keep his composure.]

Shut up.

[It comes out quietly, firmly, unshaken by the pain.]

I don't care. I don't care how many people tell me there's no hope. No cure. No future.

[He delivers a heavy stone kick to the creature and rips his arm away from it. Blood drips to the floor. He ignores it.]

I don't care if the things I want are impossible. I won't stop.