Askar stared at Erend with a deep frown after hearing his question. Erend could not tell what was going through the Dragonborn's mind from that expression so he simply waited. He did not look away. His eyes remained fixed on Askar, making it clear that he meant his question and genuinely wanted an answer.
"I believe I already told you that I have to protect this Trial," Askar said.
He looked at Erend, Eccar, Aesa, and Sylven one after another. All four Dragonborn watched him with clear expectation.
Askar felt a heaviness in his chest. He had lived in solitude for so long and these Dragonborn had finally come to see him after all those years. He did not want to disappoint them. But this was something he could not change.
"I know," Eccar said. "But can you really not leave this place? If we encounter another cosmic-level threat, I'm afraid we won't be able to handle it by ourselves. Even with everything we gained from the Trials."
