The entire house fell into silence. Minutes later, Berry stepped back into the living room.
"Come on," he said, voice lighter than before, "let's get you registered. Christan is waiting."
Sasha rose slowly, her eyes fixed on the floor. She looked too embarrassed to speak. Berry studied her face and, with a smile, tried to cut through the weight hanging between them.
"Oh, and by the way—when we get there, if she asks, say you're from Lakewood. Or Herhome Town. Or just go with Jaids—it's a really beautiful place."
Her head tilted in confusion. "Are all these places in the Big City?"
He chuckled. "What are you talking about? Of course not." Then, realizing the depth of her question, his expression softened. "Sasha… there's more to the world than where you come from, and just the Big City. So much more."
He waved a hand across the room, toward the paintings and photographs hung along the walls. "I haven't been to all these places—yet. But one day, I want to. I want to see them in reality, not just on canvas."
They left the apartment and made their way to the ID center. As always, Sasha's eyes widened in awe at the grand décor, her head swiveling in every direction. Together, they approached a table, where a man sat with a thick beard and patches of fish scales running up from his neck to the right side of his face.
"Good afternoon," Sasha greeted, with a friendly voice .
Berry grabbed a slip with their number, and the two of them moved on to the reception area. A tired sigh escaped him as they sat down. Their number blinked at the top of the slip: 108Z.
Sasha frowned. "Why are so many people here?"
"Most of them are just renewing their cards," Berry explained. "Honestly? You might be the only one here for an actual first registration."
They waited. And waited. Sasha's patience dissolved first—she began wandering around the room, her curiosity pulling her in every direction, while Berry slumped deeper into his chair, too tired to stop her.
At last, the speaker crackled overhead.
"108Z. Please report to Room 7. Take a left turn on your way out. Further instructions will be given inside."
Berry groaned in relief and stood, while Sasha, oddly nervous, fell into step beside him.
Somewhere beyond those walls, the city still pulsed under the rule of the very heroes Sasha had sworn to kill. They didn't even know she existed. And as she walked beside Berry, she wondered if maybe—just maybe—she was starting to forget the reason she came here at all, and hopefully what he warns her about gets stuck into her or something bad might happen
...to those who oppose her.