Koltira had been looking for Regina. He'd seen the increasing reports of her--the Nightcap's--exploits over the network, and he knew that matters could not go on indefinitely. No matter how much he wanted to preserve the girl, the monster had to be addressed. It was not dissimilar from Martin's own situation last year, and he felt just as much sorrow over what had to be done.

He was out on his patrol when he heard the unusual noises of the crocodile-parasite skirmish. Byfrost drawn, Koltira raced towards the unique gurgling and whimpering he'd heard from the Nightcap before, and he was fast enough to cut off its escape.

Koltira had seen too many horrors to be disquieted by Regina's deterioration, but it made him soul-sick nevertheless. This poor child. The thought echoed in his mind, and was itself an echo--for Martin, back then.

"Regina," he said. "This must stop."

He advanced, his long ears perked forward and alert, his eyes scanning for the Nightcap's most recent opponent. Here he was, Collette. The backup.