"I'm going to help." Luka folds his arms defensively. "But I am not going to prostrate myself for your monsters, and especially not for the disrespectful ones."

He realizes as he says it just how stupid this whole situation is.

"Your plan is worth trying, and that's why I'm here. But it's not the only one. If it doesn't work then we'll find another plan. The world is going to be saved no matter what." His phrasing is short and terse, lacking in his usual panache. "Don't imply that I don't care about saving the world. And don't imply that I'm second fiddle to you."