I stared at the map the Havocs had given us, my fingers tracing the rough markings as the vehicle continued forward. The lines were simple, almost crude, yet somehow precise enough to guide us through a place that had nearly killed us.
It still didn't feel real.
Raid bosses… talking.
Not just talking—but guiding us.
Helping us.
I leaned back slightly, exhaling.
"…Who would've thought," I muttered under my breath. "Raid bosses giving directions…"
It sounded ridiculous even when I said it.
And yet here we were.
Alive.
Because of them.
I glanced at Volt, who remained focused on the road, hands steady on the wheel despite the condition of the vehicle.
"So… according to this," I said, lifting the map slightly, "we should be approaching the village they mentioned."
Volt gave a small nod without looking at me.
"Yeah. That sounds about right."
There was a brief pause before he added, almost casually, "Honestly, that village was our destination from the start anyway."
I blinked.
"…Wait."
"You knew about it?"
Volt finally glanced at me, a faint smirk forming on his face.
"Yeah. I've passed through here a lot. It's one of the few places around this region where you can resupply without getting into trouble."
I frowned slightly.
"…And you didn't think to mention that earlier?"
He shrugged.
"Didn't think we'd be escorted there by two raid bosses."
"…Fair point."
I sighed and stretched slightly in my seat, my body still sore from everything that had happened.
"Honestly… I just want to get out of this vehicle," I said. "It's been hours. My whole body feels stiff."
The road had been long, rough, and exhausting—even without the whole "nearly getting killed by Havoc" part.
I was just about to relax again when—
"So, Ryze…"
Blaze's voice cut through the quiet.
I stiffened slightly and turned toward him.
"…Yeah?"
He didn't look at me. His gaze remained forward, calm as always.
"I heard you wanted me to join the Resistance."
My face heated instantly.
"…You heard that?"
I blinked in disbelief.
"I thought you were asleep!"
There was a brief silence.
Blaze didn't respond right away.
Then—
"Even if I was," he said quietly, "you weren't exactly subtle."
"…I—"
I looked away, embarrassed.
Before I could say anything else, he continued.
"Would you still want me to join…"
"…knowing I was part of the Empire?"
His tone didn't change.
But something about the way he said it—
Felt heavier.
I froze.
"…What?"
"That's not—"
Volt went completely silent, his hands tightening slightly on the wheel. Even without looking at him, I could tell he was listening.
"But Blaze," I said quickly, turning back to him, "you're not like them."
He let out a quiet breath.
"…Yeah."
"Sure."
I frowned.
"That's not what I meant."
I hesitated, trying to find the right words.
"You're different," I said. "Not just you… all of you."
My voice softened slightly.
"SK. Captain Trigger. Commander Vortex…"
"They're not like the rest of the Empire."
Blaze finally glanced at me.
A small smile formed on his lips.
"…Good."
"At least you noticed."
For a moment, I thought—
Maybe—
But then—
"…But my answer's still the same."
The words came out calm.
Final.
He looked forward again.
"I'm sorry but.. I'm not joining."
My chest tightened.
"…Why?"
I leaned forward slightly.
"We could— I mean, I could—"
He cut me off.
"No."
Simple.
Firm.
"…It's not that."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"I just don't think anyone can help."
"…Not even you."
The words hit harder than I expected.
"And it's better if you don't get involved."
Silence filled the vehicle.
I stared at him.
"…What does that even mean?"
No answer.
I looked at Volt.
He immediately turned his gaze back to the road.
Pretending not to be part of the conversation.
"…Of course," I muttered quietly.
We continued driving.
No one spoke.
The air felt heavier now.
Colder.
Eventually—
Volt broke the silence.
"We're getting close," he said.
"There should be a place to stop up ahead. We can refuel, restock… maybe get some information."
I nodded slightly, though my energy was gone.
"…Yeah."
As we approached, I could see structures forming in the distance.
Buildings.
Lights.
Movement.
The vehicle slowed as we entered the village.
People were already watching us.
Their eyes followed the vehicle as it rolled through the dirt roads.
Some curious.
Some cautious.
Some… wary.
I opened the window slightly, letting the outside air in.
"…So this is it," I murmured.
The village wasn't large.
But it was alive.
Nothing like the empty wastelands we had passed through.
No ruins.
No destruction.
Just people.
Moving.
Talking.
Trading.
"…At least it's not deserted," I said quietly.
"And no giant boss trying to kill us."
That alone felt like a blessing.
More importantly—
There were no Empire emblems anywhere.
No flags.
No soldiers.
No control.
"…A neutral zone," I whispered.
Good.
We needed that.
The vehicle came to a stop.
Blaze finally stirred, opening his eyes slightly as he looked around.
Volt was about to step out when—
"Hey."
Blaze stood up.
"Wait up."
Volt paused.
"…You're coming?"
"Yeah."
Volt glanced at me briefly.
"What about—"
"I'm fine on my own," I said before he could finish.
My voice came out colder than I intended.
Both of them looked at me.
I didn't look back.
Volt gave a small shrug.
"…Suit yourself."
They stepped out of the vehicle and began walking toward the center of the village.
Together.
I watched them go.
Their figures slowly blending into the crowd.
And just like that—
I was alone.
I leaned back in my seat, staring out the window.
"…Why do I feel like this…"
I clenched my hand slightly.
It didn't make sense.
We made it.
We survived.
We were safe—for now.
So why—
Why did it feel like something was off?
Was I angry?
No.
Not really.
Sad?
Maybe.
Or just…
"…Tch."
I looked away.
"…Blaze."
I muttered under my breath.
"…You jerk."