Felih is startled by the shocks the aether delivers to him, crying out and choking in pain, but stubbornly pushing through. If there isn't a barrier, he won't be stopped- enduring pain like this is nothing compared to the things he's already had to go through. Though, he wonders if it's the tower honing in on his inherent weakness to lightning, or if it's some part of Raha that remembers and is using it against him.

"You do matter! It matters to me!" Felih protests through his gasps of agony, taking staggering steps towards the man trying so hard to back away from him. But there's only so far the Exarch can go until his back is to the wall, and Felih won't give up until he can embrace the man and cling to him for dear life.