The sun was barely rising over the smoking ruins of the refuge when Max summoned Aiden and Ethan for a private discussion. The two young men, still reeling from the night's events, followed him wordlessly to a secluded corner of the camp.
Aiden hadn't yet had time to really think about everything that had happened to him - his system, the murder he had committed, the loss of Sarah. Everything was happening so fast.
Max looked at them for a long time, a strange glint in his eyes, a mixture of pride and sadness.
"You fought well last night," he began. "Without you, we wouldn't be here. You've proven your worth, not only as fighters, but as men."
Aiden and Ethan exchanged a glance, not knowing how to react to this unexpected praise. They didn't feel like heroes, just survivors.
"But that's precisely why you can't stay here," Max continued, his voice growing firmer. "You have a destiny waiting for you, a destiny far greater than simply surviving day after day."
Faced with their obvious incomprehension, Max sighed and explained:
"There is a place, a school for young people like you, gifted with extraordinary powers. A place where you can learn to master your abilities, to use them for good. That's where you need to go."
"A school?" Ethan repeated, incredulous. "In the middle of the apocalypse? And why have you never told us about it before?"
"Because I thought, selfishly perhaps, that we needed you here. That your place was among us," Max replied with a sad smile. "But after last night, I understood. You are destined for greater things. To change the world, not just survive in it. Here, only the weakest remain. Those who aren't allowed to go to this school, to have privileges, and to whom no one pays attention."
Aiden felt his heart tighten. The idea of leaving this group, these people who had become his friends, was almost unbearable to him. But at the same time, Max's words echoed the secret desire he carried within him: to make a difference, to find meaning in his powers, to become stronger, so strong that he could impose these laws, and reframe this world.
"I know it's difficult," Max continued, placing a comforting hand on their shoulders. "But believe me, it's the best thing to do. For you, and for the world. There are so many things you still don't know, so many secrets to discover. This school will be your chance to find your path."
Aiden and Ethan remained silent for a long moment, digesting these revelations. Then, slowly, they nodded, accepting the wisdom of their mentor's words, even though he had only been their mentor for a short time.
"We will go," Aiden finally declared, his voice strengthened by a new determination. "We will learn, we will become stronger. And one day, we will return, ready to really change things, and help you." Before, Aiden would never have made this choice, to leave those who had helped him, for a selfish desire. But he knew he couldn't do anything by staying here.
Max smiled, a glint of pride in his eyes.
"I don't doubt it for a moment," he said softly. "You are exceptional, each in your own way. Never forget that."
The news of Aiden and Ethan's imminent departure spread like wildfire through the refuge. Everywhere, faces grew grave, torn between understanding and sadness. These two young men had become much more than mere companions in misfortune: they were friends, brothers-in-arms, heroes.
As they gathered their meager belongings, Aiden and Ethan were besieged by a procession of people coming to say goodbye.
Maria, the group's matriarch, hugged them with surprising strength for her age.
"I'm going to miss you, my boys," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "But I know you have to follow your own path. Just promise me you'll take care of each other."
Aiden, his throat tight, could only nod, while Ethan replied in a hoarse voice:
"Always, Maria. Always."
John and Maggie came next, their faces solemn but their eyes proud.
"Don't forget what you've learned here," John declared. "Not just the combat techniques, but the life lessons. Loyalty, courage, selflessness. These are the values that make you human and not monsters."
Maggie nodded, adding softly:
"And don't forget that you have people who will always think of you here. No matter what happens, you'll always be welcome."
Aiden felt his eyes sting, moved by this show of affection.
"Thank you," he murmured. "For everything. We will never forget what we owe you."
Liam, the gentle giant, gave them a bone-crushing hug.
"Take care of yourselves, guys. And kick some ass for me at that school, okay?"
Ethan let out a laugh, returning the hug with force.
"Count on us, big guy. We'll show them what we're made of."
Even the usually reserved Dr. Evans cracked a smile and gave them a warm handshake.
"You have a gift for healing people, you know," he said to Aiden. "Not just their bodies, but their hearts. Never lose that compassion."
Aiden, touched, solemnly promised to always keep that lesson in mind.
Finally, as the sun reached its zenith, they found themselves facing Max for a final farewell. The old warrior contemplated them at length, an indecipherable glint in his eyes.
"I'm proud of you," he simply declared.
Then, reaching into his pocket, he pulled out two objects and handed them to them: silver medallions, engraved with strange symbols.
"Take these," he said. "They are the symbol of our group, of our family. As long as you wear them, you'll know you're never alone."
Aiden and Ethan, their throats too tight to speak, put the medallions around their necks, silently swearing to keep them, even though they didn't know the meaning of the symbol on them.
And so, with heavy hearts but resolute souls, they left the refuge, embarking on a new destiny. Towards the school where they hoped to find answers, strength, and perhaps, a way to save this broken world.
But as they walked away, a question hung in the air, heavy with meaning and apprehension:
Were they truly ready for the revelations to come? For as Max had said himself: there was so much they still didn't know, so many secrets to uncover.
But before that, he had to allocate the characteristic points he had earned by leveling up.
----
Let's go to this famous school, if they can find it...