Narrator
Meanwhile, in an old cave.
Yuri stood with his arms crossed as the minister entered and approached him. The air was humid and heavy with silence.
Yuri's voice broke the stillness. It was calm yet edged with something sharp. "Couldn't find a less dramatic place for this, Minister?"
The minister's lips curled slightly as he took slow, deliberate steps forward. His movements were unhurried. "You always hated this, Yuri. But I find that people are more honest when surrounded by stone and darkness."
Yuri didn't react. "Dramatic as always. If you dragged me here for philosophy, you're wasting your time."
The minister chuckled, a low, knowing sound. "Fine. Then let's speak plainly. But first... I've noticed something." He paused. "You've taken a particular interest in Roy Celgius."
Yuri tilted his head slightly, his only sign of amusement. "You never miss anything, do you?"
The minister smiled, but his eyes remained unreadable. "It's my job to notice things."
Yuri exhaled slowly as if weighing his words. "He's talented. That's all. I see potential in him. Potential worth shaping."
"Shaping," the minister repeated, testing the word. "And what exactly are you shaping him into?"
Yuri's expression didn't change. "A survivor. Someone who understands this world for what it is."
The minister studied Yuri for a moment before stepping closer and lowering his voice. "Is that really all? Or is there something more you're not saying?"
Yuri's gaze remained steady. "If you have something to say, Minister, then say it."
The minister's smile faded and his tone turned cold. "Loyalties shift, Yuri. Even the strongest ones do." I've seen men swear their oaths one day and betray them the next." He let the words sink in before adding, "Should I be concerned, Yuri?"
Yuri unfolded his arms and took a slow step forward. "If you doubt me, Minister, then tell me: What's stopping me from snapping your neck right now and leaving you to rot in this cave?"
The minister didn't flinch. "Because you're smarter than that," he said. His voice was steady and his gaze was unwavering. "You've always played the long game, Yuri. I know you well enough to know that you're not reckless. That's why I need you to find the traitor among us. Maybe even the traitors..."
Silence stretched between them. The minister took a step back, his posture more relaxed, but his eyes remained sharp.
"There's a storm coming," he said quietly. "And I don't just mean war. The kind of storm that changes everything we know." He turned slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Some things are already in motion. I've heard whispers. Things that cannot be undone. We need to start taking precautions."
Yuri's gaze darkened. "Is that so? What exactly are you expecting me to do about it?"
The minister glanced toward the cave's entrance. "Do what you always do best. Watch, listen, and act when the time comes."
He took another step toward the exit, but then paused. His voice was softer now but no less serious. "One more thing, Yuri. Don't forget about the kids."
Yuri's expression flickered for just a second.
The minister continued, his back now turned. "They're just like you, after all," he said, pausing before adding, "Survivors of an experiment."
With that, he disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the distant echo of his footsteps.
Yuri stood still for a long moment as the weight of the conversation settled over him. Then, with a quiet breath, he muttered,
"Foolish old man..."