Key Story (2) - Chapter 20
Raxian's gaze lingered on Solace for a moment longer before he made his decision. He glanced at Sable, catching her eye, then stood up. The subtle tension in his posture spoke volumes. He wasn't going to let this chance pass.
"Wait here," he muttered quietly to Sable, though she could see the determination in his eyes. She nodded, her hand resting on the table as she watched him approach Solace.
Solace sat alone at her booth, casually scrolling through her phone, though there was an undeniable sense that she was aware of their presence the moment she stepped in. When Raxian stopped in front of her, she looked up with calm, measured eyes, her expression unreadable.
"Solace," Raxian said, his voice low but firm. "Or should I say ThornBlossom?" The name caught Sable's attention. While Solace hadn't seemed familiar at first, that in-game name was unmistakable to her. ThornBlossom had been one of the most elusive players in the tournament, known for her quiet but deadly precision.
Solace raised an eyebrow, unruffled by Raxian's direct approach. "Raxian. I didn't expect you to remember me," she said, her tone soft but tinged with something unreadable. "It's been a while since the tournament."
Raxian crossed his arms, his gaze never leaving hers. "You didn't come here by coincidence. What do you want? Why are you watching us?"
Solace didn't react immediately. She tilted her head slightly, observing him as if weighing how much to reveal. "Sometimes the simplest explanations are the right ones," she said, her lips curling into a faint smile. "But then again, that wouldn't be very fun, would it?"
"I'm not buying it," Raxian said, his voice firm. "This is about Zenith, isn't it? The games, the tournaments, Lynx—everything. You know something, and I want to know what it is."
Solace's lips curled into a faint smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You're perceptive, I'll give you that. But you're asking the wrong questions." Her eyes flickered toward Sable, who was watching the conversation unfold, her mind already racing as pieces of the puzzle started to connect.
"What questions should I be asking then?" Raxian pressed, leaning forward slightly.
Solace paused, glancing between him and Sable for a moment, then spoke with deliberate care. "Ask yourself why Zenith allows things to unfold the way they do. Why do you think Lynx hasn't been stopped? Why haven't you been more involved in the game? Isn't it odd, Raxian, that you've been on the outside of all this chaos?"
Her words sank in, creating an uncomfortable knot in Raxian's stomach. He hadn't even realized it until now—how removed he and Sable had been from the direct conflict that had plagued their friends.
Sable's voice broke the silence. "What does that mean? Are you saying we've been left out on purpose?" Her question came out more shaken than she intended.
Solace's gaze softened, but only slightly. "You've been kept safe for now," she said quietly. "But nothing stays safe forever. Not in this game."
As the air between the three of them thickened with unspoken tension, the door to the café chimed again. Raxian barely registered the sound until he heard a familiar voice calling out from the entrance.
"Yo, Solace!" Raze's voice cut through the quiet murmur of the café, casual as always, but it immediately sent a jolt through Raxian.
He turned, already tense, watching Raze stroll in, completely unaware of the storm brewing at the table. Raze's usual easy smile faltered when he spotted Raxian standing by Solace's table—and then his gaze shifted to Sable, sitting quietly in the booth.
A few beats passed in silence, but the tension was undeniable now. Raze's eyes darted between them, his expression shifting from confusion to wariness as he realized the charged atmosphere. "What's going on here?" His voice still held a hint of casualness, but there was an underlying edge now.
Solace, ever composed, barely reacted. Her lips curled into a faint smile. "You're early," she said to Raze, her tone light, almost teasing. She gave Raxian a glance but remained unfazed. "I didn't think you'd run into each other so soon."
Raxian's pulse quickened, the implications of her words hitting him like a cold wave. Solace had planned to meet Raze? They had arranged this? His mind raced, suspicion bubbling to the surface. How long had they been in contact, and how deep did Raze's involvement go?
Sable shifted slightly in her seat, clearly picking up on Raxian's growing tension. She looked between the three of them, her voice quiet but sharp as she finally broke her silence. "Raze… you and Solace are meeting up?"
Raze blinked, clearly sensing the shift in the conversation. "Yeah, I told you," he said, glancing at Sable and then back to Raxian. "We've been talking for a while." His eyes narrowed at Raxian's reaction. "What, you didn't know?"
Raxian's jaw tightened. "She's Zenith, Raze. You've been talking to someone from Zenith this whole time."
Raze's expression shifted, but he didn't look as blindsided as Raxian expected. Instead, he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I know she's Zenith." His eyes flicked to Solace. "But she's not Lynx, man. We've been through this."
Sable's eyes widened in surprise, and she looked to Raxian, her voice hesitant. "You… knew?"
Raxian's frustration surged. "You knew and didn't say anything? Raze, we've been trying to—"
"Rax," Raze interrupted, his tone calm but firm. "Look, I know what you're thinking, but Solace and I, we've talked. She's not the enemy here."
Raxian felt the ground shift beneath him, his frustration twisting into something heavier. "She's part of the group that's been causing all this chaos. Lynx—"
Solace, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, her voice measured but direct. "I told him everything. About Zenith. About my role. But I'm not here because of them."
Raxian's fists clenched. "Then why are you here? Why meet with Raze?"
Solace met his gaze, unflinching. "Because Zenith is one part of who I am. It doesn't define everything. I don't share Lynx's goals. I'm not here to manipulate anyone."
Raze stepped in before Raxian could fire back, holding up a hand. "Rax, listen. I get why you're pissed, but she's not Lynx," Raze said, his voice firm but lacking the usual lightness. He shot a glance at Solace before meeting Raxian's gaze again. "Trust me, I wouldn't be here if I thought she was dangerous."
Sable, sensing the rising tension but feeling her own anxiety spike, pulled slightly on Raxian's arm."Rax… please, let's just think about this," she whispered, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. The tremor in her voice betrayed the rising fear she was trying to hide. "We don't know what's going on yet…"
Raxian looked between them, his mind racing. Solace's calm demeanor, Raze's defense—it all felt wrong. But at the same time, the conviction in Raze's voice gave him pause.
Finally, he exhaled sharply, turning away. "You expect me to believe that?" Raxian muttered through clenched teeth. "After everything, you want me to trust this?" He took a step back, his gaze lingering on Solace before shifting to Raze. "We're not done."
The weight of the conversation hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, no one moved. Solace remained composed, Raze seemed torn between his friends and his own judgment, and Sable, still quiet, looked as though she was processing everything alongside them.
"Let's… figure this out somewhere else," Raze suggested quietly, his gaze shifting from Solace to Raxian, then back to Sable. "I think we've all got a lot to talk about."
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Sable's head began to swim as the conversation escalated between Raxian, Solace, and Raze. The café's warm air felt stifling, and her heart pounded in her chest. She had been determined to face the storm alongside Raxian, but now, with the full weight of the situation sinking in, it was too much—too fast. She could feel the familiar grip of fear tightening around her throat, and the world around her began to blur.
Her hand instinctively reached for the edge of the table, gripping it tightly to steady herself. Her breathing quickened, and she felt light-headed, her thoughts scattering as if her mind couldn't catch up with the whirlwind of emotions and revelations crashing around her.
As Raxian's voice grew sharper, cutting through the tension like a blade, Sable tried to focus, but her head was spinning. She leaned forward, her forehead almost touching the table, hoping the solid surface would anchor her to reality.
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In the middle of his heated exchange with Solace and Raze, Raxian finally glanced at Sable. The determination in his voice faltered when he saw her pale face and the way she gripped the table. Instantly, the fire in him cooled, replaced by worry.
"Sable?" he asked, his voice dropping, softening. He stepped closer to her, crouching down beside the booth. The anger that had been simmering in his chest took a backseat to his concern for her.
She barely registered his voice. Everything felt so distant, like she was sinking underwater. Her hand found Raxian's, and she squeezed it weakly, trying to let him know she was still here, but the world around her continued to blur at the edges.
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Seeing Sable like this hit Raxian hard. He had been so caught up in trying to figure out Solace's intentions and Raze's involvement that he hadn't noticed how much this was affecting Sable. He needed to pull back.
"Let's get you out of here," he whispered, standing and gently helping her to her feet. He cast a quick glance at Solace and Raze, his expression darkening, though the anger was more controlled now.
Raze, noticing the change, stepped forward, his casual demeanor dropping. "Is she okay? Sable—do you need—"
"I've got her," Raxian said curtly, his focus solely on Sable. "We'll figure this out later," he added, more for Raze and Solace than anyone else.
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As Raxian guided Sable toward the door, her steps were shaky. The idea of leaving the café made her heart race even faster—she had just managed to gather enough courage to come this far, and now everything felt like it was slipping out of her control again.
"I'm… I'm sorry," she whispered, barely audible, ashamed that she couldn't handle it. But the pressure, the fear of what Zenith might still have planned, and the weight of her trauma were all too much to bear.
Raxian shook his head, his grip on her firm but gentle. "You don't need to apologize for anything. Let's get some air, okay?"
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As Raxian helped Sable out of the café, Raze found himself frozen in place, watching the girl's unsteady steps and pale complexion. The carefree atmosphere he had walked into had evaporated in an instant, replaced by the suffocating weight of what was happening around him.
He'd always known Sable was tough—stronger than most—but seeing her like this, vulnerable and barely holding herself together, something in him shifted. He had dismissed the danger of this situation because, in his mind, Solace wasn't the enemy. She wasn't Lynx, and she wasn't part of the chaos that had already torn his friends apart.
But now, seeing how deeply this affected Sable—someone who had already been through so much—made him reconsider. Maybe he had been wrong to downplay the seriousness of Solace's involvement in Zenith. He trusted Solace, but the way this was tearing Sable apart, the way it put Raxian on edge—could he afford to stay neutral?
His gaze flicked to Solace, who remained composed, her usual calm exterior unchanged. Yet, as he looked deeper, he noticed a subtle tension in her posture that wasn't there before. He knew her well enough to see that she wasn't as indifferent as she appeared.
For the first time since their friendship had started, doubt crept into Raze's mind. He wasn't sure if Solace was being entirely honest with him about Zenith, about the full scope of what they were involved in. The idea gnawed at him, uncomfortable and unfamiliar. If Sable was reacting this way, maybe he had underestimated just how deep Solace's ties to Zenith ran.
Once Raxian and Sable were out of sight, he turned to Solace, his casual demeanor replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness. "Solace, what's really going on here?" His voice was steady, but there was a sharpness beneath it, a demand for answers he hadn't asked before.
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Solace, who had been so controlled throughout the entire encounter, couldn't help but take in Sable's fragile state as Raxian helped her out. She hadn't expected to see such raw vulnerability—not from Sable. Watching the way Sable gripped Raxian's hand, how her face had lost its color, sent a pang of something unfamiliar through her.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go. She had expected resistance, maybe anger from Raxian, but seeing the toll this took on Sable—someone who had been sidelined by Zenith—felt different. There was something more personal about it. In the past, all of her interactions in the world of Zenith had been like playing a game, moving pieces across a board, calculating moves. But this—this was real.
Sable's reaction stirred a deep, uncomfortable doubt in her mind. Zenith had always presented their goals as greater than any one individual. They were trying to change things, to challenge the status quo. But for the first time, Solace wondered if the people caught in their wake were paying too high a price.
When Raze's voice broke through her thoughts, the weight of his words landed heavily. "Solace, what's really going on here?" His tone was different now—no longer the lighthearted friend who trusted her without question. There was a demand for clarity, and she could see the uncertainty in his eyes.
For the briefest moment, her composed mask faltered. Solace wasn't used to feeling doubt, but Raze's concern and Sable's vulnerability stirred something she couldn't ignore. Could she justify staying with Zenith if it meant pushing people like Sable to the brink? Was she truly aligned with their methods, or had she been swept up in something more dangerous than she'd realized?
She met Raze's gaze, weighing her next words carefully. "It's not as simple as it looks," she said, her voice quiet but lacking its usual confidence. "Zenith has its reasons, but… maybe I haven't considered everything."
Raze narrowed his eyes, sensing the shift in her tone. "And what about Sable? You saw what this is doing to her."
Solace's expression softened for the first time, something like regret flickering in her eyes. "I didn't know it would be like this. I didn't know…" She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I didn't realize how much it would affect people like her."
Raze's jaw tightened as he processed her words. He wasn't one to push hard, but seeing his friend in such a fragile state forced him to confront Solace's role in all of this. "You need to decide, Solace. Are you with Zenith, or are you going to help us stop this?"
Solace didn't answer right away. The weight of Raze's question hung heavy between them, and for the first time, she didn't have an immediate response. She had been so sure of Zenith's mission, but now, seeing the fallout of their actions, she wasn't sure if she could follow them blindly anymore.
Her silence was enough of an answer for now.
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The cool air greeted them as they stepped outside the café, but for Sable, it did little to ease the storm inside her mind. Her legs felt unsteady, her vision blurring at the edges as the world tilted slightly. Everything had happened too fast—Solace, the revelations, the tension in the café—and now, her body was betraying her.
Raxian, sensing how unsteady she was, instinctively guided her to a nearby bench. "Sit down," he said quietly, his voice low, more of a suggestion than an order. Sable didn't argue. She slumped down heavily onto the bench, her body leaning against the backrest for support. It felt like everything was spinning, and the fear she had tried so hard to push away was creeping back in, stronger than before.
She closed her eyes tightly, as if shutting out the world would help her regain control. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breaths shallow and uneven, and all she could think about was how weak she felt in that moment. The walk to the café had already been hard enough, but the confrontation with Solace had shattered what little composure she had left. She hated it—this feeling of helplessness, the fear that Lynx still had a hold over her, even from a distance.
Raxian knelt beside her, his eyes scanning her face for any sign that she was okay. But he could see the struggle in her clenched jaw, in the way her shoulders trembled slightly. He opened his mouth to apologize, to say something, anything that might ease her distress, but he stopped himself. He could tell she didn't need words right now. Not apologies. Not reassurance. She just needed space.
Sable shifted slightly, her hands gripping the edge of the bench as if holding on for dear life. "I just… need a minute," she mumbled, barely loud enough for him to hear. Her voice was strained, heavy with shame that she couldn't keep up. She wanted to be strong, to face her fears, but the reality was much harder to bear than she had imagined.
Raxian nodded silently, though he wasn't sure if she even saw. He sat down beside her, not too close, but close enough that she knew he was there. His gaze never left her, watching as she fought to regain control, her breathing uneven, her body tensing as if trying to hold herself together.
Sable's mind spiraled. She had told herself she wouldn't be afraid anymore, that she was ready to confront Lynx, to move forward. But here she was, feeling like she was going to fall apart at any moment. Her heart raced, images of Lynx flashing in her mind—his voice, his presence, the overwhelming fear he had instilled in her.
She tried to calm down, tried to focus on her breathing, but nothing worked. The fear gripped her tighter, suffocating her thoughts. In the chaos of her spiraling mind, she instinctively reached for Raxian's hand, clutching onto it with a strength that surprised even her. Her grip was tight—too tight, almost painfully so—but she couldn't let go. She needed something to anchor her, something real to hold on to.
Raxian flinched slightly at the sudden pressure, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he wrapped his fingers around hers, his hand warm and steady, grounding her in the moment. "Sable…" he murmured, his voice soft and laced with concern. He could see how much she was struggling, could feel it in the way her hand trembled in his.
He hadn't meant for any of this to happen. He had been too caught up in his need for answers, too focused on confronting Solace and Zenith, and he hadn't stopped to think about how it would affect Sable. Now, seeing her on the verge of breaking down, he realized just how much he had pushed her, how fragile her state truly was.
For a moment, there was only silence between them. The city hummed in the background, but for Raxian, the only thing that mattered was the girl beside him. He stayed quiet, his fingers tightening around hers, a silent promise that he wouldn't leave her to face this alone. Whatever she needed, he would be there—no questions, no demands. Just support.
Sable kept her eyes closed, leaning into the feeling of his hand in hers, trying to steady her breathing. She didn't say anything, didn't know what to say. The relief of having him beside her was undeniable, but it didn't erase the shame she felt for being so weak. Her body ached with the weight of it all, her mind still reeling from the encounter. She wasn't ready for an honest conversation, wasn't ready to open up. Not yet.
Raxian glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his jaw tight with guilt. He had messed up, that much was clear. But there would be time to apologize later—right now, all that mattered was being here for her. He stayed beside her, silent but present, letting her hold onto him as tightly as she needed to.
For the first time since stepping outside, Sable's grip loosened just a little. The world around her was still spinning, but Raxian's steady presence gave her something to focus on, something to cling to. It wasn't much, but for now, it was enough.
And for the first time, she allowed herself to lean into that support, just for a moment longer.
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The minutes stretched out, but time didn't seem to matter. Raxian sat beside Sable on the bench, watching over her in silence. He had no idea how long they had been sitting there—fifteen minutes, maybe more—but it didn't matter. Sable still hadn't said much, her hand wrapped tightly around his, her grip only loosening slightly as she calmed herself. Every once in a while, she would shift, close her eyes tighter, as if willing her mind to stop spinning.
Raxian didn't speak. He didn't move. All that mattered was being there for her, offering whatever comfort he could through his silent presence. He could tell she was still struggling to regain control, her breathing slow and deliberate, her body tense against the bench. But slowly, bit by bit, she was finding her way back, grounding herself again. It would take time—more than he had realized—but for now, he would stay right where he was.
The quiet of the moment was broken by the distant sound of a door creaking open. Raxian didn't have to look to know that Raze and Solace had finally exited the café. He could hear their footsteps, steady and hesitant, growing closer. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw them stop just a few feet away, standing on the sidewalk as if unsure whether to approach.
Raze's gaze swept over Sable, lingering on her fragile form as she leaned against the bench, her eyes still closed, her hand gripping Raxian's with a quiet desperation. His usual casual demeanor was nowhere to be found—he looked at Raxian with wide, helpless eyes, unsure of what to say or do. This wasn't the strong, unshakable Sable he had always known. This was someone on the edge, someone who was fighting her own internal battle, and he didn't know how to handle it.
Raxian's eyes met his, a wordless exchange passing between them. He could see the concern in Raze's expression, but he couldn't offer any answers, not right now. All he could do was sit there, keeping Sable anchored in the moment, hoping it would be enough.
Raze shifted awkwardly, glancing at Solace, who stood beside him with her arms crossed. She, too, observed Sable closely, but her expression was harder to read. There was no casualness in her stance, no teasing remark on her lips. She seemed… thoughtful, perhaps even unsettled, as if seeing Sable like this had sparked something within her.
"I, uh… didn't think it was this bad," Raze murmured, his voice unusually quiet, guilt seeping into his tone. He ran a hand through his hair, eyes darting between Raxian and Sable, unsure of what to say.
Raxian shook his head slightly, signaling for Raze to keep his voice low. He didn't want to break whatever fragile calm Sable had managed to find. "It's been tough," Raxian muttered under his breath, barely loud enough for Raze to hear. His gaze flickered back to Sable. "She's… still working through it."
Raze swallowed hard, nodding slowly. He hadn't realized how much all of this had taken a toll on her. Seeing Sable in this state—so vulnerable, so unlike the fiery, stubborn girl he had known—it hit him harder than he had expected. He looked back at Raxian, his voice tight with emotion. "I didn't think she was still…" He trailed off, unsure of how to finish the sentence. Still struggling? Still afraid? Still broken?
Raxian's jaw clenched. "It's not something you just get over," he said quietly, his words laced with a protective edge. "It takes time."
Solace, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, her voice soft but clear. "I didn't realize…" she started, her gaze shifting between Sable and Raxian. "This isn't just a game for you, is it?" There was no teasing in her tone, no hidden agenda—just a genuine realization dawning on her.
Raxian's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't respond. Solace's presence was still a sore point for him, but right now, his focus was on Sable. He wasn't in the mood for explanations or justifications.
Sable, still silent, shifted again. Her eyes fluttered open, though they were heavy with exhaustion. She hadn't missed the conversation happening around her, and the weight of it all pressed down on her chest. The fear she had been trying to push away still lingered, and now that she had somewhat calmed down, the shame was setting in. She hadn't been strong enough. She hadn't been able to keep up.
Her grip on Raxian's hand tightened once again, and without looking up, she mumbled, "Can we go home?"
Raxian immediately stood up, his hand still holding hers. "Yeah, of course," he said softly, his voice full of understanding. He gave a nod to Raze, signaling that they would talk later, and then turned his attention back to Sable, helping her stand slowly.
Raze and Solace watched them from the sidewalk, their presence lingering for just a moment longer. Raze wanted to say something, to offer some kind of support, but the words failed him. All he could do was give Raxian a small nod, the unspoken agreement passing between them: Take care of her.
As they walked away, Raze remained standing there, the weight of everything sinking in deeper. He hadn't realized just how far-reaching this conflict with Zenith had become, and seeing the toll it took on Sable made him question everything. Solace, too, was quiet, her mind turning as she observed the aftermath of what had transpired. The line between the game and reality was blurring—and perhaps, for the first time, she was beginning to see the cost.
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Raze and Solace walked side by side down the dimly lit street, their footsteps echoing softly against the pavement. The usual chatter that accompanied Raze's presence was absent, replaced by a tense, heavy silence. He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets, his eyes focused ahead, but his mind was elsewhere—still on the scene they had just left behind.
Solace glanced at him from the corner of her eye, her expression as unreadable as ever, but the calm she usually carried felt fragile, like something had shifted within her. She could sense the weight of what had happened. The air between them felt thick with unspoken words, yet neither of them seemed to know how to break the silence.
Raze exhaled sharply, his breath forming a small cloud in the cool evening air. His mind replayed the image of Sable sitting on that bench, leaning into Raxian as if the world had become too much for her to handle. He hadn't realized… Hadn't realized it was that bad.
"Raze," Solace finally spoke, her voice soft, measured. She didn't turn to look at him, her gaze still fixed ahead. "You're unusually quiet."
Raze didn't respond at first. He wasn't sure what to say, how to put into words the storm of emotions swirling inside him. Finally, he sighed, his voice low. "Yeah, well… that wasn't exactly how I thought today would go."
They continued walking in silence for a few more moments, the weight of the encounter still lingering between them. Solace remained composed, but Raze could feel the tension creeping into her usually controlled demeanor. She had seen it too—Sable's fear, the way her body shook as she tried to hold herself together.
"What did you expect?" Solace asked after a long pause, her tone not accusatory but curious. She was probing, trying to understand where Raze's thoughts were leading him.
Raze let out a frustrated breath. "I don't know. Not that." He rubbed the back of his neck, his steps slowing slightly. "I knew Sable was struggling, but I didn't think it was this bad. Seeing her like that… I dunno, Solace. It's different when it's someone you care about."
Solace glanced at him, her green eyes studying his face for a moment before looking away. Her own thoughts were tangled, though she didn't show it as easily as Raze did. This wasn't just a game anymore, wasn't just strategy and moves on a chessboard. Seeing Sable's vulnerability, seeing how much this conflict with Zenith was affecting her—it struck something in Solace she hadn't fully confronted before.
"It's not just a game to them," Raze continued, his voice softening. "We've been through a lot, and I thought I understood that, but… today really hit home."
Solace's expression flickered with something—guilt, maybe, or recognition. She remained silent, but her steps faltered slightly. She had always been good at keeping her distance, at remaining aloof, but watching Sable's breakdown had made it harder to separate herself from the consequences of what they were all involved in.
"Raze," she started again, her voice quieter now, more reflective. "You know what I'm involved in. You knew that going into this."
Raze stopped walking, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face her. "Yeah, I knew. But I thought I could trust you to be honest with me. I didn't think… I didn't think it would hit us like this."
Solace's calm exterior cracked, just slightly. "I didn't lie to you," she said firmly, her eyes locking with his. "I've told you the truth about Zenith, about my role. But this… seeing Sable like that… it wasn't supposed to be part of the plan."
Raze's gaze softened slightly, but the frustration still lingered in his voice. "Maybe not for you, but for her? It was part of her reality. And I don't know how much more she can handle."
Solace fell silent again, processing his words. She had always approached her involvement with Zenith with a certain detachment—focusing on the objectives, the goals, the strategy. But Raze's words reminded her that there were real people behind those moves, real consequences. And Sable's fragile state wasn't something she could just dismiss.
"I didn't think it would affect her like this," Solace admitted after a long pause, her voice softer, almost introspective. "I thought… I thought she was stronger than that."
"She is strong," Raze said, his voice steady. "But everyone has their limits. Even Sable." His expression shifted, a flicker of pain crossing his face. "And seeing her like that, Solace… it made me realize how much this conflict is tearing people apart."
They resumed walking, though slower now, both lost in their thoughts. The silence was no longer tense but reflective, the weight of the day hanging over them like a cloud.
"Are you still with Zenith?" Raze finally asked, his voice quiet but edged with tension. It was a question he hadn't intended to ask, but now it was out there, hanging in the air between them.
Solace didn't respond immediately. Her eyes flickered with something Raze couldn't quite place, something torn between duty and doubt. "Yes," she answered, but there was no conviction in her tone this time. "For now."
"For now?" Raze pressed, his gaze searching hers for some kind of reassurance. "What does that mean?"
Solace exhaled, her steps faltering slightly. "It means I'm starting to question things. I'm not saying I'm leaving, but…" She paused, her expression hardening. "But I didn't expect to see the human cost of all this up close. It changes things."
Raze nodded slowly, though uncertainty still clouded his mind. "Well… I guess we'll see where that takes us," he muttered, though he wasn't entirely sure where they stood anymore.
As they continued down the empty street, the silence between them felt heavier than ever before, filled with questions neither of them were ready to answer. The walk had grown longer, but the distance between them felt wider now—both of them caught between what they had always known and what the future might hold.