Clank. Clank. Clank.

Gabriel didn't need to look up to recognize those metallic footsteps. He did anyways, spreading his wings warily. "I thought you were done here, machine."

V1 had something in its hand. Light seeped out from the gaps between its fingers. It took another step towards him, extending the hand.

He didn't have the strength to stand, but he did his best to look down at it. "What is this?"

V1 blinked, opening its hand. A small speck of light rested in its palm. "I found this," it said, as if that explained everything.

Gabriel stared blankly at it. He hadn't ever heard it speak, except to taunt him in battle. Slowly, he reached out to take it. It sank into his skin, and he felt...

Rejuvenated. He only had a few minutes of life left, and he'd become more and more exhausted as the seconds ticked by. But all of that was gone now, and he suspected he would stay alive for a while longer.

He raised his eyes to it again. "Why did you give me this?" he asked softly.

It gave that monotone laugh that he l̶o̶v̶e̶d̶ hated so much. "Your blood, of course. Let's fight."

Gabriel rose to his feet, brushing off his armor and drawing his sword.  "I should have known."

If he didn't know better, he would have sworn that V1 was smiling.