“I didn’t resign from the commander’s seat lightly,” he continued. “But after everything that’s happened... I realized I’ve been blind. Serving a system I didn’t question. Protecting traditions that let monsters thrive.”
River reached up and touched his cheek, her thumb brushing the stubble on his jaw.
“You were surviving, Heiko. Just like me. We only see the truth when we stop surviving and start living.”
He closed his eyes briefly, overwhelmed by the honesty in her words. Then he kissed her forehead with reverence, his voice almost breaking.
“We’ll talk more when we get there. For now… rest. We have a long road ahead.”
She settled against him once more, their breathing falling in sync.
Outside, the forests of the capital slowly gave way to the first hills of the eastern range. Clou
