There's something more to this. He knows that now, from the look of panic in the man's eyes as they dart away. One can only imagine what dark things lay in his past. Alas...the man is about to hyperventilate himself unconscious again. That never bodes well. Just what is Erik getting himself into? It's too late for doubt. He sees too much of himself in this pitiful man.

"Shhh," Erik soothes quietly as he finally releases his grip. "There. You're free. Breathe deep for me, Pyotr. And, please, don't worry over me like this. It was for Artemy's sake that I let myself be stabbed. Believe me, I could very easily have avoided that blade. All the same, you have died and been reborn now. History does not have to repeat itself."