The night was still. The sky was dark and silent, save for the faint, gliding movement of the sky whale above them and the quiet tremors of the ground forces trailing behind it.
Their small camp, hidden just behind the colossal creature, was dimly lit by a soft blue flame. Everyone had settled in, some resting, some talking in hushed tones.
Julian, sitting near the edge of the firelight, glanced at the woman sitting cross-legged across from him, her white coat stained and ragged. Her expression was unreadable, half bored, half exhausted.
"So," Julian asked, arms crossed, "how the hell did you survive all that? I mean, the raiders, and the zombies… Why would they even spare you, seriously?"
Beatrix let out a long sigh, resting her cheek on her palm. "Because," she said flatly, "I'm a [Catalyst] user"
Cindy, who had been half-asleep with her chin on her knees, tilted her head. "Catalyst? What's that? Like... chemistry?"
