"It's not better. It's a lie. You'd just be sharing in their pain."

He didn't know if that was true or not, but he believed it. Their pain, their guilt, their crimes. If anything, it would be an emotional wasteland. No true joy, he couldn't imagine that was possible. It was all lies.

"I was lied to, too, White Mamba." Maybe his old name would reach him. The one he'd first chosen, related to a Snake but wasn't a match exactly for his brother. Why was he even fighting this so hard? Working to save the man who would send an assassin for him, to use his image as a weapon.

Because he just couldn't sit and watch one of Big Boss's sons die. Because Kaz still loved that man, and he resented that he did. Because while Snake had no say in this boy's birth, he shared a face with him. He shared the same look of bitter determination. They were Big Boss's only chance at children. So that's what made the final decision. He'd have to be ready to block if he tried to hit him, but he hoped the action would just jar Liquid back to reality.

"Don't!" Miller lurched forward quick grabbed Eli's arm in a way he'd often done to a Snake. Held it firm. "It matters, you matter. Snap out of it!"