Defiance. To Lucifer's face, even. Nike lets out a thready, wheezing sort of exhale. All she had wanted to do was show him deference. To give him the respect and import he deserved. To give him whatever it took to keep the Nexus and its people safe for one more day. And in trying, because of his whims, she defied those wishes.

Dizziness washes over her. She feels unwell.

"I know it isn't necessary to be of use to you but..." But she had wanted to be done her best to be like the other Guardians. Prove she was worth keeping around even when Blaze did not think to summon her. "I...thank you. That is...kind of you to say."