Selene, who had been staring Slade down, lowered her blood katana and let it dissolve back into her palm. She looked at Celes, who was still holding her hand.
"Are you okay with them coming, Celes?" Selene asked.
"Hehe, I like Sasha and that guy," Celes replied, stepping out from behind Selene and pointing at Slade.
"The name's Slade, not 'that guy,' alright? And can I ask you one more thing, Selene?" Slade asked.
"What is it?" Selene replied.
"What's your motivation for doing this? For betraying your faction and taking Celes? Not that I'm trying to pry, just for clarity's sake," Slade pressed.
"I'm looking for Utopia. I woke up in the capital 500 years ago with no memory. Maybe if I go to Utopia, I can remember who I am," Selene answered.
"Hmm, that's funny. Same here. I woke up in the Zoan capital about 150 years ago and can't remember a thing," Sasha murmured.
"Figures. I'm the only one who remembers the past. I need to unlock their memories." Slade thought.
"Since Celes agrees, I'm fine with you both coming. But if either of you tries anything, I won't hesitate to kill you," Selene warned.
"Duly noted. No funny business, right, Sasha?" Slade poked Sasha again.
"Ugh! Why do you always answer for me, you presumptuous jerk?" Sasha snapped, crossing her arms and looking away.
"So, what now? Got a map?" Slade asked.
Selene walked over to her bag on the desk and pulled out a tablet. She tapped the screen, and a large, 3D hologram map of their entire territory, bordered by the massive fortress-like Wall, popped up. Celes gazed up at the map, mouth slightly open. Slade looked at the map, thinking hard.
"Hmm. Heading straight for the Vorg capital means going through two checkpoints. Too risky. Do you know the route those bandits were going to take?" Slade asked Selene.
"No idea. They never talked about it in front of the cage," Selene admitted.
"We can just swing around through Zoan territory," Sasha suggested.
"Whoa, definitely not. That route means taking on sandworms and landsharks in the Dead Desert. I could handle it alone, but not with a crew," Slade countered.
"He's right. That's too much of a gamble," Selene agreed.
"Ah, I know. Let's head back up," Slade said.
"What's the plan?" Selene asked.
"Ask Jr. He knows the usual routes to the Vorg capital," Slade said.
"You mean that huge guy who just tried to kill you?" Sasha asked.
"Yep. His brain function is always glitching, which is why he seems so simple-minded. I know his brother used to take him to the Vorg capital for treatment. I staked them out for a long time," Slade explained.
"And you killed his brother. What if he goes ballistic again?" Sasha worried.
"We'll calm him down. Besides, I just need to plug this cable into his head." Slade pulled a USB cable from the back of his forearm.
"Alright, we can try. But before we go, Celes, let me ask you something. Why do you trust me, Selene, and this guy?" Sasha asked, kneeling in front of Celes.
"Because you three are all the same as Celes: black hair," Celes replied.
Hearing Celes's answer, Slade, Sasha, and Selene all realized they had black hair, a rarity in their factions, and that Celes shared the same hair color.
"Speaking of which, Celes, how did you end up here?" Slade asked gently.
"Celes doesn't know," Celes answered sadly.
"Don't ask any more questions," Selene warned, hugging Celes and glaring at Slade.
"Whoops, my bad. Didn't mean anything by it," Slade apologized.
"So, are we going or not?" Sasha asked.
"Let's go," Slade said.
After Selene packed her few remaining things, they all got back into the lift shaft and flew up the cables. They emerged back in the bandit room, where the cage and Slade's bike were. Without delay, Slade pushed his bike out of the building, followed by Sasha, Selene, and Celes, who held both their hands in the middle.
They walked back to where Slade had met Jr. The giant was still standing there, waiting.
"Well, he's still there," Slade noted.
"Huh… he actually listened when you told him to stay?" Sasha asked.
"Yep. That's just how he is. Poor guy," Slade answered.
"And you're taking advantage of him. You're awful," Selene said flatly.
"Hey, I just told him to stay put, and he listened," Slade argued.
Slade jogged up to Jr., stood on his toes, and patted the giant's much-larger shoulder.
"Can I go now?" Jr. asked.
"Hold on. Bend down a little," Slade said.
"Like this?" Jr. asked, kneeling down.
Slade immediately opened a panel on Jr.'s head and plugged in the USB cable from his arm. He asked Selene to open her map, borrowed her tablet, and plugged a second USB cable from his other arm into the tablet. Instantly, a route highlighted on the 3D hologram map. Slade pulled the cables out of the tablet and Jr.'s head.
"All done. Thanks, Jr.," Slade said.
"Uh… do I know you, brother?" Jr. asked, confused.
"Ah, right."
"Buaaaak!" Slade leaped up and punched Jr.'s head. Jr. stumbled back, holding his head with both massive hands, shaking it. Then he looked at Slade, his face grim, and his hand transformed into an axe.
"You… you killed my brother!" Jr. roared at Slade.
"Yep. He's back to normal. Time to run!" Slade said, stepping back with a grin.
Slade immediately spun around, grabbed Selene and Celes's hands, and jumped onto his bike. Sasha instantly shifted into a centaur. They sped off as Jr. roared, chasing them, spinning his axe wildly.
"You're insane!" Selene said, a slight smile cracking her composure.
"Hehehehehehe!" Celes, between Slade and Selene, laughed joyfully.
"Unbelievable… this man is completely nuts," Sasha said, smiling slightly as she ran alongside the bike.
"Hahahaha… let's ride!" Slade yelled, a wide grin on his face.
The journey of Slade, Sasha, and Selene—from three different factions—to escort or deliver Celes back to her home began. Their destination: a place beyond the Wall that separates their world, a legendary land full of greenery, forests, animals, blue oceans, and the last of humanity, known only as Utopia.