For a second, a little grin twitched across Arche's face as he stared back up into the cloudy sky with an expression of amused disbelief.

"...The Force works in mysterious ways. Or perhaps your goddess, for all I know."

Apparently no explanation was forthcoming for that cryptic statement, but the expression on his usually dour face was oddly light, particularly considering that heavy confession of inadequacy El had just made. Slowly, Archeval gave a little shake of his head.

"Of course you haven't failed. You're just in the middle of finding the solution. The fight's not over until you're in the ground, and sometimes not even then."