"This was an abduction, not some afterlife." It's less denial and more utter certainty. Death would never have crossed his mind as a possible explanation had he not heard it once or twice from others. But death means a return to the Planet, not... whatever the hell this place is.

"I am trying not to kill you," he says. The machetes make poor stabbing weapons, suited more for hacking. Although his attention settles briefly on her Scrywatch, wondering if this might be an opportunity to test whether losing a hand would rid you of it; but it would be a shame to leave a decent sparring partner without a hand.

"If you believe we're already dead, then what's your excuse?"