It sounds like he's dealing with someone that he loves and respects a great deal but who shows him disdain in return, someone that takes joy in feeding off of the energy of others. He doesn't want to fight this person, he doesn't want to have to defend himself from this person, but circumstances have made it necessary. He's too conflicted to simply turn away or retaliate so he focuses on sustaining the fire within him as long as he can (alongside the others who are being exploited).
It sounds like he's dealing with someone that he loves and respects a great deal but who shows him disdain in return, someone that takes joy in feeding off of the energy of others. He doesn't want to fight this person, he doesn't want to have to defend himself from this person, but circumstances have made it necessary. He's too conflicted to simply turn away or retaliate so he focuses on sustaining the fire within him as long as he can (alongside the others who are being exploited).