Lup was now more determined than ever to find a way out of the staff - if it was gonna happen, she would have to be the one to make it happen. She'd straight-up told Taako who she was, and he didn't get it. Well, he was never going to live that down, but first she had to get out of the damn staff. She spent her time loops gathering her power.
But then, there was Barry again, and she had no attention for anything or anyone else.
"I'm really proud of you. I thought there was a chance that maybe this would be the one to end your adventure." She smiled. She was proud of them too, come to that. There was quite a lot it would have been tempting to change.
"I need to know, do you trust me?"
The boys could not have been more empathic in their denial, and its effect was immediate. Poor Barry started to lose his composure again, and almost hit Merle with his uncontrolled energy. He fell to his knees and for the first time since Phandolin she heard his voice, not his harsh whisper but his real voice. And he said her name. He addressed her.
"Lup, they don't trust me. I can't do it anymore, Lup. I'm sorry."
She froze. Did he know? Did he sense her presence? She was so close! If she could only signal to him, somehow -
Once again she used all the power she had to scream. "Barry! Barry, I'm right here, I can help you, Barry, just help me get out of here! Please! I trust you, I've always trusted you, I will always trust you!"
But he didn't respond. After a moment, he regained his composure, and continued in his harsh whisper, "The next time we meet, I will need you to trust me completely and absolutely. Otherwise, all of this will have been for nothing. The Hunger is almost here. And when it arrives, this world will be lost."
And before she could muster enough power to try to cast something, he was gone. Again.
"FUCK!"