The pod slowed, then stopped.
They stepped out onto a sprawling, bustling lane. Cars honked their horns in the streets while people brushed past each other on the streets. A few men and women were dressed sharply, like they were heading to the office, while others dressed casually. Teenagers lounged on benches, eyes glued to sleek tablets.
There was little uniformity in dress — cloaks, high-collared jackets, bright hats, and body armor all blended in a sea of motion. A few bore some weapons, like them.
Unlike the dim corridors of the base, this place gleamed with light and glass. In front of them stood a series of transparent elevators whisking several people up to board trains that hovered high above the city.
Kiah blinked.
"This is… a train station?" She asked, her voice tinged with wonder.
Anwyll handed them a pair of sleek, coded tickets. "Yeah. We will take the rest of the trip by rail. We should get there before nightfall."
He tapped a few commands, putting the pod in autopilot mode, sending it back to the base. Then he led them towards the elevators. They ascended quickly to a sky-level terminal. The building was encased in glass, offering a view of the streets far below, and the ceiling was arched high like that of a stadium.
Everything was clean, unlike the rest of Duskworn.
Trains slid in and out of the station almost silently. One arrived, passengers boarded, and within seconds, it departed. Another came seconds later.
It was beautiful.
The floor pulsed with LED patterns that shifted to guide pedestrian flow. Digital ads displayed on billboards — shoes, skincare, and public health warnings. A soft chime echoed overhead as a voice announced departures. Security bots rolled past, scanning barcodes. A few commuters spared glances at them and quickly looked away.
As they waited for their train, a middle-aged woman in an apron approached them with a warm smile and three paper bags.
"Here are some sweet ember buns, children," she said, gently pressing one into each of their hands. "You'll need something for the trip."
She gave them a soft pat before walking away toward a nearby stall. The air from the shop carried the scent of fresh bread, sugar, and something faintly spiced.
Kiah stared at the warm bag in her hands. The woman had just gifted them her baked goods.
"She just… gave us food?" She asked, confused.
"Sweet buns are the best," Naya said, already peeking into hers with barely restrained glee.
Kiah looked at Anwyll. He was silent, his gaze distant, as though the small gesture had triggered something deeper. He blinked out of it and gave a slight shake of the head.
"It's a form of gratitude," he muttered. "It happens to us more than you'd think. And they fuss when we try to say no."
Then, with a half-shrug, he added, "At least breakfast is covered."
Kiah nodded slowly. 'So rebels are indeed considered heroes.'
Naya had been right. Clearly, among the townspeople, rebels were respected, even adored.
Their uniform must have given their identity away.
The train arrived moments later, gliding into the station with a hiss. They boarded quickly.
After taking their seats by the window, Kiah peeked into her paper bag. Inside were five steaming buns, golden brown and soft to touch. Her stomach grumbled.
She took a bite and nearly melted.
Her tongue was overwhelmed by the syrupy goodness. The soft rolls had a honeyed center that tasted like boiled fruit syrup, apples to be exact. It was warm, fluffy, sweet, and sticky. It tasted like home.
She blinked in awe, then frowned slightly. If there was such good food in Duskworn, why did the organization force them to eat blobs and boiled greens? It felt insulting. Cruel, even.
She gobbled down all five buns in record time, each one better than the last. They filled her up generously.
Beside her, Naya licked the syrup off her fingers, equally satisfied.
Only Anwyll remained untouched. His eyes were fixed on the landscape beyond the glass with a blank look. They decided to let him be.
Kiah used the moment to study the train. It was similar to a modern rail system, only suspended in air, moving noiselessly along tracks. A marvel of engineering.
Then she noticed something odd. Several people were glancing at them. It wasn't everyone, but it was enough to make her shift uncomfortably in her seat. Some outright gawked.
At first, she thought their weapons scared them, but their stare wasn't one of fear. Mostly adoration and… pity.
A small voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Mama, are they going to fight monsters?"
Kiah's eyes snapped to the source — a child seated across from them, his tiny fingers clinging to his mother's sleeve.
The woman pulled him close, smoothing his hair.
"Yes, dear. They are going to keep us safe."
"I want to be one when I grow up."
The mother smiled tightly. "How about a doctor? Something less dangerous."
The kid fussed, but the mom quickly hushed him before throwing a furtive glance their way.
Kiah looked away.
She finally understood the pity in their eyes. Most of them probably thought they were going to die. They weren't expecting them to return.
Sure, being a rebel was respected, but the extreme danger and personal sacrifices inherent in the profession made others wary. The job involved witnessing innocent people suffer, losing comrades, and constant struggle against despair. Not to mention the physical scars and pain that came with it.
While some admired their bravery, others saw them as tragic figures, destined for a life of hardship and early death. Some didn't think it was even worth it.
Kiah exhaled, forcing herself to look away from their sympathetic gazes.
She didn't plan to die anytime soon, not until she had accomplished her mission to leave this goddamn world. She didn't need their sympathy because they were going to see her for a very long time.