[ Tyki speaks, but Kaeya barely processes any of it.

Ice has always been surprisingly fragile despite how sturdy it could be. It's all too easy to break and shatter if you know the right way to do it. He watches as Tyki snaps off the Atirat's hand, showing neither regret nor disdain for what's about to transpire. It makes him think back to what happened at Venera several months ago, how much he hesitated to do what was asked of him then, and now—

A booming voice cuts through the rest of his thoughts. He turns to face the source, not at all surprised that it is Dimitri who found them. Fate is amusing when it comes to how it chooses who gets to intervene. Back then at Venera, there had been someone who stood in his way too. ]

Does that matter? They're as good as dead anyway.

[ Does he believe that? It's hard to say.

Before Dimitri can get another word edgewise, he positions himself in front of the group of Atirat. And with a snap of his fingers, jagged pieces of ice shoot up from the floor, forming a barrier between them and the other man. Just as bitter and cold as he is. This should prove to be enough of an obstacle while Tyki continues to work on getting that hourglass.

(And like this, Dimitri doesn't have to get hurt.) ]

Now, if you'll be so kind as to wait, we'll be done here soon enough.