Chapter 19: At Last

The three of them stood motionless, as if the weight of Zan’s words had frozen the air itself. Zarnem’s breathing was shallow, his chest rising and falling as he knelt there, fists still buried in dust and fractured stone. Penim remained perfectly still, his gaze fixed on Zarnem with an expression caught somewhere between curiosity and disappointment, though it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began. Even Zan, whose laughter had only moments before echoed through the ruins, stood silent now, staring with cruel satisfaction as he watched Zarnem unravel. In the distance, they could hear the chaos. Explosions, screams, and the clash of powers shaking the broken city. Flashes of fire and light lit the sky. But here, the three of them stood in silence, listening. And doing nothing.

Penim: Looks like your buddies took out all my creations.

Zan (grinning): Pretty impressive, actually.

Penim: And I wasn’t holding back on those experiments.

Zarnem (looking up): You’re responsible for those… abominations?

Penim (smirking): Ahem. Hybrids.

Zan: They saved a lot more lives than you did, little Zashy. Maybe they should be leading you, not the other way around.

Zarnem (forming a stone fist): Shut up!

He charged, but the air snapped heavy, slamming his feet into the ground. Penim raised a casual hand, gravity crushing Zarnem in place.

Penim: Chill out, man.

Zarnem (gritting his teeth): Penim…

Zan: Hahaha! What were you gonna do to me anyway?

The gravity eased. Zarnem straightened slowly, his hand shifting back from stone to flesh.

Zan: Haven’t you learned you can’t hit me?

Zarnem tightened his fist in anger.

Zarnem: What are you two waiting for?

Penim: Hm?

Zarnem: You two could kill me now. Clearly, I’m heavily outmatched and outnumbered. You need something from me, don’t you?

Zan: You think you have leverage on us? Watch yourself there, boy. We just have a little mission to carry out.

Penim: It amazes me you still don’t know your place. We simply were here to test out my hybrids.

Zarnem: What for? Just to kill off innocent lives? You’ve gone so low, Penim!

Penim: It’s for Krutone. We’re preparing for—

Suddenly, and onslaught of fire, water, dark and light, ice and wind came down on Zan and Penim. Penim noticed immediately and raised his fingers using his Rift ability. Space itself tore open, a thin line of nothingness yawning wide in front of them. Every element of their combined attack vanished into the Rift. Then, just as quickly, the tear sealed with a faint shimmer, as if it had never been there at all. It was Sen, Dain, Yerah, Makota, Shera and Ira coming down with an attack.

Sen: Zarnem!

Ira: Who is this?

Zarnem glanced back, realizing his reinforcements.

Zarnem: This is him.

Ira: Him? You mean… Penim?

Penim: Oh, I’m so famous. Who do we have here? I see you have Sen, his buddy Dain… and some other side pieces.

Ira: We kill ‘em here!

Ira prepared her attack, but Zarnem extended his arm, signaling to disarm herself.

Zarnem: No, stop!

Ira: We have them outnumbered! Now’s our chance!

Zarnem: It’s not about numbers! You don’t understand!

Ira withdrew her powers.

Penim: You all killed my sweet pets! My hybrids I worked so hard on are gone. So sad. I was just mentioning to Zarnem that these hybrids are practice for the real attack.

Ira: Zarnem, what does he mean?

Penim: I’m going to reign destruction over Krutone.

Zarnem: You don’t think you can really take on all of Krutone, right? You’ll never stand a chance!

Zan: Ahh, little Zashy underestimating us again and again.

Zarnem: There’s only three of you and Zagons!

Zan: Three of us? Oh! You mean me, Penim and Sicrus? Hahaha. No, no, no. Please, Zarnem. Stop underestimating us!

Ira: Zarnem. We need to strike now. The Zagons are wiped out, and they have no reinforcements!

Zarnem: Ira, listen to me! Do not dare get close to them!

Sen generated a sword of light and darkness coiled together. On his own, he moved, propelled by a sudden burst of radiant Intergy beneath his feet. The ground cracked violently in his wake as he shot forward like a streak of living energy, closing the distance between himself and Penim in an instant. Just as Sen raised the blade to strike, Penim’s hand flicked through the air, tearing open a Rift. From the tear surged a bolt of crackling lightning. It slammed into Sen’s sword head-on, and for a heartbeat, everything froze. Then, the clash detonated in an explosive burst of raw Intergy. Light, shadow, and electricity colliding in a blinding shockwave that ripped through the street, sending shards of fractured stone and distorted wind spiraling in all directions.

Zarnem: Sen! Stop!

The outburst of Intergy pushed Sen and Penim back a few steps, but Sen wasn’t done. He created a ball of dark Intergy and fired it toward Penim. Suddenly, a flash of Intergy came crashing down, colliding with the dark pulse sent from Sen’s hands. As soon as the Intergy met with the dark force, an even larger explosion erupted, sending everyone staggering further back, the ground beneath them fracturing from the force. Dust and heat blasted outward, momentarily shrouding the battlefield in a cloud of smoke and energy.

Out of that haze, three more figures could be seen standing with Zan and Penim. At the center stood Sicrus, lowering his outstretched arm, faint sparks of Intergy still lingering from his fingertips, residue from the devastating Intergy blast he had just unleashed. His sharp gaze swept the field, cold and methodical. Behind him, slightly to the right, Mayzen stood perfectly still. His presence was silent but suffocating. And then there was Josar, standing on the opposite flank. His frame radiated controlled strength. He said nothing, his expression unreadable, but his stance spoke volumes. Josar’s gaze flicked toward Sen, lingering, something unreadable behind his eyes. Recognition. But then it was gone. He looked away.

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

Sicrus: This day has finally come.

Zan (to Josar): Wow! Look who decided to show up. Call me surprised for once!

Dain: What in the hell is happening?

Zan: Hey, little Zashy! Still think there’s only three of us?

Zarnem: Sen, stop! We can’t fight them all.

Sen lowered his Intergy.

Sicrus took a good look at Sen, observing him closely.

Sicrus: Wow… You’re Sen. Finally got a good look at you up close.

Sen: How do you know me?

Sicrus’s expression shifted subtly, the cold detachment in his gaze softening into something almost pleased. A faint hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. It wasn’t mockery, but something closer to satisfaction, like he was genuinely glad to finally lay eyes on Sen in person. Sen’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the three figures standing across from him. Before Sen could take another step, Zarnem moved beside him, his hand clamping firmly down on Sen’s shoulder. His grip was steady but tense, as if willing him to stay still before he did something reckless.

Sicrus: It really is nice to finally meet you, Sen.

Sen’s guard lowered.

Sen: Nice… to see me?

Mayzen: Don’t take too long, Sicrus. We must report.

Sicrus: Let me have my time—

Zarnem: Who the hell are all of you?

Zan: Shut the hell up, little Zashy! You don’t make demands here.

Sen: Why do you all know me? Who are you?

Zan: Oh, well since you asked. I’m Zan, but you already knew that. I’m an acid user from Kru—

Sicrus: Shut it.

Silence.

Sicrus: I’m Sicrus.

Sen looks around.

Sicrus: That’s Josar.

Sen looks over to Josar, meeting eye to eye again. There was no threat in Josar’s eyes.

Sicrus: Mayzen here doesn’t talk much. And you already met Zan and Penim.

Sen: You… answer me, but not… to Zarnem? Why?

Penim: We don’t take any orders from that literal bastard. Neither should you.

Sen looks to Zarnem, then back to Sicrus.

Sen: I don’t know what’s happening.

Zarnem: Don’t believe anything they say, Sen! They’ll only try to divide us!

Sicrus (to Sen): You’re confused. I know.

Sen: Why are you guys trying to attack Krutone? Why are you killing so many people? Why the Zagons?

Zan (to Sicrus): Told you he’d be curious.

Sicrus (to Sen): It’s a long story. It really is.

Sicrus looked over to Josar, then back to Sen.

Sicrus (continuing): … but it’s not in my place to inform you.

Mayzen (to Sicrus): We waste time.

Sicrus: I said give me my time!

Mayzen: Follow orders Sicrus. This isn’t the time.

Sen (to Mayzen): And who are you to decide!?

Mayzen: Then I’ll leave.

Mayzen opens a portal.

Sen: You’re not going to walk away!

Sen prepared a light sword, burning bright with intense heat. Josar walked forward and raised his hand slowly, gesturing Sen to stop.

Josar: Sen, it’s fine.

Sen didn’t lower his Intergy, his body surging forward in one fluid motion as he swung his blade in a precise, arcing slash aimed at Josar, but Josar moved just as quickly, his hand snapping out with practiced ease. Fingers closed around the glowing edge of Sen’s blade, stopping it cold with electric currents flowing from his hand. Then Sen retracted the blade, slowly fading away.

Josar: We don’t have to fight.

Sen: I don’t get it.

Josar (whispering back): I don’t either…

Mayzen walked through the portal, uninterested in the events that unfolded.

Zan: Peace out! Until next time! Assuming you’re still alive of course!

Zan walked through the portal.

Penim: Stay alive for me… little Zashy.

Zarnem glared at Penim as Penim walked through the portal.

Sicrus: We’ll return for you Sen.

Josar nodded at Sen and turned away. Both Sicrus and Josar walked through the portal.

Sicrus: We’ll return for you…

The portal closed.

The street was eerily quiet after the portal closed, as if the world itself was too stunned to move. The thick haze of dust and smoke drifted lazily through the air, carrying the sharp tang of scorched stone and blood. Broken buildings loomed like hollow shells, their shadows long and jagged in the fading light. Zarnem exhaled shakily. Only the distant crackle of fires and the hollow wind moving through a dead city could be heard.

Ira: Zarnem, what the hell was that about?

Zarnem didn’t reply.

Ira: We were out there almost dying while you were having your little reunion with the very people who unleash these monsters!

Zarnem: They’re Krutonians!

Ira: You know them?

Zarnem: Not all of them. But they want vengeance on Krutone.

Ira: Then why are they lashing out on the rest the world?

Zarnem: You heard them! They’re using everyone else as experiments! We’re test subjects for their Zagons! They’re planning to wipe out Krutone…

Ira thought for a moment.

Ira: What did they mean? What did they mean when they said to not take orders from you?

Zarnem: Because Penim and I were once allies.

Ira: You’ve mentioned that before.

Zarnem: And he always wanted the power of The Orb… so I turned on him… I turned on him because of his brutal mission. So, he’s calling me a traitor when he was the traitor to Krutone… but just now, he told me he’s not responsible for The Orb.

Ira: Then who?

Zarnem: I don’t know… but they’re racing us to get to Krutone… which is why we need to get there before them.

Silence.

Zarnem: We don’t have time to rest. We have to go now.

Dain: I’m tired, man.

Zarnem: Then sleep in the fucking cart!

Dain blinked, taken aback to hear Zarnem snap. Zarnem turned away, heading towards the cart.

Zarnem: Hurry up!

The team stood in heavy silence, the echoes of Sicrus’ parting words still thick in the air. Zarnem didn’t look back at them. He just kept walking, his boots grinding over shattered stone with a harsh finality, as if each step was an attempt to outrun his own regret. One by one, the others followed, their bodies battered, their minds racing, but their path clear. They had no choice now but to move forward. The smoke of Allatora still clung to them, seeping into their lungs like a bitter reminder of everything they’d lost and everything still waiting to be destroyed. As they climbed into the cart, the weight of war settled back onto their shoulders. Krutone was waiting.

The portal rippled shut behind them, sealing off the fractured ruins of Allatora and plunging them back into the cold stillness of their own world, a place steeped in endless twilight and shadow. Sicrus stood at the forefront, his sharp gaze scanning the dark horizon as if weighing the next move, while Mayzen lingered nearby. Penim and Zan sat on stones. Josar said nothing sitting against a boulder. Around them sat others— Scray leaned against a jagged stone pillar, his eyes cold and calculating; Tyla, Fletris, Baylene, and Norad. Together, they gathered in the heart of this desolate world.

Mayzen: So, you mentioned we’re on our way to Krutone?

Penim: Yep. Made it sound like a race so he would hurry it up.

Mayzen: That’s our way in.

Penim: Yeah, the barrier that protects Krutone will open when they’re permitted entrance. That’ll be our time to run through.

Zan: If only we can just create a portal into Krutone, but that damn barrier makes it so much harder.

Penim: That barrier wasn’t there before. They know better now. Anyways, once that barrier opens, I’m taking things on my own. Rushing Zarnem through and getting you guys in is my part of the deal.

Mayzen: You can kill Zarnem, then.

Penim: And you all can kill off Krutone.

Mayzen: Just be sure you have all the Zagons prepared before you take off.

Zan: You surprise me there, Penim! I was almost worried you would take matters into your own hands and kill little Zashy already.

Penim: But then you guys wouldn’t get into Krutone.

Zan: Yeah… And we’d kill you before you could even touch little Zashy.

Penim rolled his eyes.

Penim: Anyways, what now?

Mayzen: We watch from afar. We wait until the path to Krutone opens, then we charge in.

Mayzen turns to Sicrus.

Mayzen: They’ll carry out their orders?

Sicrus: Scray, Tyla, Fletris, Baylene, and Norad will all do their part.

Sicrus turns to them. Scray gives Sicrus a single nod.

Sicrus: They’ll carry out their part.

Mayzen: Then it’s settled. We just wait.

Penim: Anything else then?

Mayzen: Continue making hybrids. Aside from that, nothing.

Penim: Sounds like a plan.

One by one, the group began to disperse into the endless gloom of their world, each moving with quiet purpose. Left behind, Sicrus remained where he stood, his sharp eyes watching the distant horizon. Josar stood a few paces away, silent, his gaze lowered, as if caught between staying and leaving.

Sicrus: You good?

Josar: I’m just thinking about what happened earlier.

Sicrus: We all are. What did you whisper to him?

Josar: Hm?

Sicrus: I saw you whisper something to Sen. What’d you say?

Josar: Oh… nothing really. Just for him to lower his attack.

Sicrus: I see… Are you good?

Josar: I am.

Silence.

Josar: He looks determined… Sen.

Sicrus: Yeah, he sure does.

Josar: Do you think that’ll change?

Sicrus: I don’t know. Why do you worry about that?

Josar doesn’t answer.

Sicrus: The time is coming really close. Krutone.

Josar: Yeah… I know.

Sicrus: Will you be ready?

Josar (thinking): Not like I have choice… 

Sicrus waits for his answer.

Josar: Not like I have a choice…

The tunnel underneath Allatora stretched before them in an endless darkness, the air thick with damp earth. Sen was at the front on one of the two horses, his light Intergy shining in his fingertip, casting shadows that danced along the jagged walls. Dain, beside him on the other horse, kept his flames controlled, a soft ember flickering in his palms to fight the oppressive chill. The rest of them, Yerah, Makota, Shera, Zarnem, and Ira sat in the cart being pulled by the horses. The deeper they went, the colder it became.

Ira: Zarnem?

Zarnem: Hm?

Ira: What is Zan? Why is he like that?

Zarnem paused, sighed, then looked up.

Zarnem: He’s a mutation.

Zarnem looked down.

Zarnem: He’s Krutone’s accident.

Shera: An accident?

Zarnem: Yeah… a mistake that was failed to be corrected.

Zarnem thinks.

Zarnem: Krutone does experiments… They breed using Intergy.

Ira: How do they go about it?

Zarnem: Beats me. I’m not the one doing the lab works.

Ira: And the people there are okay with it?

Zarnem: Not everyone. At first it went against ethics of Krutone. But eventually it was voted to keep the practice going.

Ira: So, the majority are okay?

Zarnem: Sure… only because profits were involved.

Ira: Families were paid… I see.

Zarnem: Yes. And sometimes they would volunteer.

Ira: That’s wrong.

Zarnem: Not if you get paid enough.

Makota: I do remember reading something like that in Clyden Academy. It was a small book, but we’d never seen anyone like that… So, that’s why that guy, Zan is the way he is?

Zarnem: Yes. Typically, newborns would die in this process, but it didn’t matter because enough money was made up for the mothers who bore these miscarriages.

Shera: That’s disgusting.

Zarnem: Not to them it wasn’t… Not when you’re a nominated selection… Not when you’re getting millions.

Ira: So, Zan wasn’t a miscarriage.

Zarnem: Zan killed his mother at birth.

Makota: Oh, shit…

Zarnem: Yeah. He was born as acid. He wasn’t acid in the womb, but I suppose when delivery took place, it scared him as a newborn… and he melted his way out of his mother.

Shera: Holy…

Ira: So, in a way, he was destined to be a killer.

Zarnem: It was the first thing he did.

Makota: That’s twisted…

Zarnem: He’s not the only mutant… Penim is too.

Ira: He turns into acid also?

Zarnem: No. Mutants that were successfully born came with special abilities. Normally, with Intergy, one can control fire, water, lightning, wind, ice, or earth. These mutants are different, and their abilities can vary from one to another. As you know, Zan can create and become acid. Penim gets two. He can open Rifts to absorb attacks and control gravity itself. I used to have a subordinate in Krutone that can create atomic bombs. I’ve seen some commons ones that can control plants or trees. I’ve seen some who can control magnetic fields, and I’ve seen some who can sense the presence of others, even distances away.

Ira: Sensory types?

Zarnem: Yes.

Shera: That’s so interesting… but so crazy at the same time.

Ira: Are there limits to how many unique abilities these mutants can get?

Zarnem: Not that I’m aware of. These experiments have been happening for almost a hundred years. Krutone is still learning more.

Makota: What about… people like Sen?

Zarnem looked to Sen who was unbothered by his mentioning.

Zarnem: From what I know, he’s not a mutant. In some of Krutone’s books, I’ve read that those who can control light or darkness come once every hundred years. It just so happens that one of his parents was a dark user and the other was a light user. We didn’t know it would create someone who could use both. So, Sen is a very special case, and I’m sure Krutone would take an interest in him. We still have yet to know if we can discover more with his abilities. Darkness so cold I can freeze, yet be used to darken the space. Light so bright it burns like fire, yet be used to blind opponents. All at the same time act as Intergy forces.

Makota: So, Sen’s a rare one, eh?

Yerah slowly lifted her eyes, watching Sen’s back, him still shining a light forward for the crew to travel.

Zarnem: Yes. He does make for a rare one, which I’m sure you like, right Sen?

Sen doesn’t answer. The crew notices and some look at him. 

Zarnem: Or maybe he doesn’t like being special.

Sen doesn’t react.

Dain: You good, Sen?

Sen looks to Dain and slightly shakes his head.

Dain: What’s up?

Sen looks ahead, not wanting to answer.

Makota: We’re all upset with happened back at Allatora, dude. Try to lighten up… pun intended.

Sen ignored him.

Shera (holding Makota’s arm): Leave him alone. He’s not in the mood.

Makota: Just trying to see if he’d laugh.

Ira: Would you like to talk about what’s on your mind, Sen?

Sen’s light flickered slightly. He remained silent.

Ira: You don’t have to.

Sen’s jaw tightened.

Zarnem: He needs to focus on keeping sight ahead.

Suddenly, Sen spoke.

Sen: You’ve been missing out when we needed you! In Troita and just here in Allatora. Those hybrids attacked and you weren’t with us!

Zarnem was taken aback. His brows moved forward and leaned towards Sen.

Zarnem: Come again?

Sen: You’re supposed to be a captain, but you’re always off handling your petty business with Penim!

Zarnem: I was hunting down Zan!

Sen: You did nothing!

Zarnem pointed his finger at Sen.

Zarnem: Watch your tone with me, Sen! Show respect!

Sen: No! You watch your damn tone! You don’t ever talk to me like you’re handling everything right…  And don’t you ever talk to Dain like that ever again!

Dain (glancing at Sen): Hm?

Yerah looked up at Sen once again, never had seen him angry before.

Sen: He fought that beast all himself and got burned because of it. Ira almost died and we already lost Fex!

Zarnem: I held down Zan and Penim!

Sen: Clearly not! They were the ones holding you down!

Zarnem had no response.

Sen: Nothing not say?

Zarnem: You better watch yourself there!

Sen: Or else… what?...

Sen shut down his light and the entire tunnel went dark. The horses stopped and could be heard slightly panicking.

Sen: How’s it like being in the dark?

Ira: Sen, please cooperate.

Makota: Hey man, if my joke was too much, I’m sorry dude.

Shera: We’re all doing our best here, Sen.

Silence. Then, Sen continued lighting the path ahead. The horses resumed.

Dain (to Sen): Hey. I appreciate the back up, but it’s fine.

Sen doesn’t reply.

Dain: I wasn’t really all that bothered with how Zarnem spoke to me. We’re all just high in emotions right now.

Sen: He needs to watch himself.

Dain: Bro, I said it’s ok.

Sen: That’s not it.

Dain: What is it then?

Sen takes a deep breath.

Sen: Nothing makes sense… and I’m done pretending that it does… following orders from this so-called great captain from Krutone. I don’t give a damn about his authority.

A slight pause.

Sen: We’re racing that terrorist group to Krutone, but they spare us, and it doesn’t make sense. They could kill us if they wanted to! Back in Clyden, Zan could’ve easily killed me, but instead he killed his own people. And that Sicrus guy just now looked like he was glad to see me, like we’ve met before or something. And then that light haired guy stopped my attack like it was nothing and acted like I was one of them. I don’t get it! Things aren’t lining up, and we’re almost at Krutone!

No one responded.

Sen: And you, Zarnem… you couldn’t carry out your part… And then you have the nerve to snap at Dain like that, when he’s the reason we’re all still alive. He did your damn job! Then you act like you have any right to disrespect him like that!

Dain sat awkwardly.

Dain (quietly to Sen): Dude, it’s fine.

Silence. The only sound came from the two horses walking forward and the carts pulled.

Zarnem: You’re right to feel that way… and I’m sorry for not being there. But I promise you I did what I could.

Sen didn’t want to reply. He didn’t believe Zarnem.

Zarnem: I understand you feel lost and confused. And to be honest, as your captain, I’m lost also. That’s why I want to hurry to Krutone because I know they’ll have more solutions.

Zarnem looked to Dain.

Zarnem (to Dain): And I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you. It was disrespectful, especially since you fought so valiantly.

Dain: It’s fine, really.

Zarnem: All of you fought so valiantly.

Another moment of silence.

Zarnem: And I will do better. I will continue doing my best to guide us safely. Thank you everyone for putting your trust in me thus far. I know this path to Krutone has been heavy.

Sen still didn’t answer back to Zarnem.

Dain: You’re good. You’re just doing what you can… We’re all doing what we can.

Yerah (whispering to Shera): I’ve never seen him like this before.

Shera (whispering back): None of us have.

Makota: Sheesh. And I thought Dain’s explosion was something.

Shera: Babe, drop it.

The group continued through the tunnel in heavy silence, the faint sounds of the horses’ hooves echoing against the damp stone walls.

Josar sat with his back against a jagged stone outcropping, his arms resting loosely over his knees as he stared out into the gray haze of their hollow world. A few feet away, Scray crouched low on one knee, methodically sharpening a short blade along a strip of dark leather. The rhythmic scrape of metal on hide was steady and precise.

Scray: You actually went with them this time.

Josar: Yeah… I did…

Scray: And you look like you have pulse again.

Josar: Hm?

Scray: I’m saying you look alive.

Josar: I guess.

Scray chuckled.

Scray: I’ve seen you going from concerned to defeated.

Josar remained calm.

Scray: But now, you look like you have a bit of something else.

Josar: And what’s that?

Scray: Hmm… hope?

Josar made no reaction.

Josar: Hope.

Scray: I thought you’d come back feeling even more depressed seeing what chaos Penim and Zan can do. What was different?

Josar: Why do you care to know?

Scray: Because we work together. It’d be good to know where my allies stand. At some point you’re going to have to kill someone… and I’d like to know if you’d have my back if it calls for it.

Josar doesn’t respond.

Scray: So yes, that’s why I’d like to know why.

Josar looks up at the many moons scatter across the skies.

Scray: So, how was it like seeing Sen for the first time?

Josar stayed silent.

Scray: Pretty strange I would think.

Josar: He looked… determined.

Scray: Determined? How so?

Josar thought for a moment.

Josar: Like he believed there was a reason worth fighting for.

Scray: I see. And is that the thing bringing you hope?

Josar: No.

Scray: You can tell me the truth. You know I side with you more than anyone else here.

Josar: I’m not sure what you’re even talking about. I don’t feel any more hopeful than I did last week.

Scray: Sure, let’s go with that for now. Either way, you better have my support when I need it.

Silence.

Scray: Eh, if I die, I guess it doesn’t matter too.

Josar: None of it matters.

Scray: Hm?

Josar: If any of us dies. None of it matters.

Scray: It won’t matter if we don’t finish the mission.

Josar: And if we finish the mission, what then?

Scray: We hope.

Josar began picking up nearby small rocks, tossing them over the hill.

Josar: And you’re ok with that?

Scray: We’re doing this talk again?... you know my answer is yes. Better to do something than nothing at all.

Josar: And it doesn’t feel wrong to you?

Scray: What feels wrong is silence. What feels wrong is doing nothing. If anything, that question is more or less for you. I’m at least moving forward with something I believe in.

Josar didn’t respond and stopped tossing rocks.

Scray: I’m just about done sharpening my blades. Need anything from me before I head out?

Josar stayed silent. Scray shrugged then left him alone. Josar remained where he was, sitting in the quiet after Scray’s footsteps faded into the distance. The night around him was still, save for the faint rustle of wind slipping through the jagged rocks. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, exhaling quietly.