The weight of silence pressed down on them.
Muzi stood over the man's body, his chest heaving. Blood darkened the ground beneath him, steam rising from it in the cool air.
Thwala slowly stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "You were told to stay back."
Muzi didn't move. "He was going to kill her."
Sphilile lay on the ground, shaking. One of the older recruits helped her up. Her gaze found Muzi's, wide with disbelief... but something else shimmered behind it. Gratitude? Shock? It was too soon to tell.
Thwala sighed, rubbing his temples. "You saved her, yeah. But you acted without orders."
Another of the Bronze-ranked stepped forward. "Boy's got instincts," he muttered. "Could be useful."
"Or reckless," Thwala said. "This ain't a hero story. It's the street."
Muzi's hand clenched at his side.
> [System Notification: Internal Stabilization Required.]
[Warning: Psychological Instability Detected.]
[Initiating Companion Sync – Maphanga Presence Increasing…]
Muzi staggered slightly as Maphanga's voice cut through his mind like a whisper in the wind.
"Breathe, boy. You've done what was needed. Don't let guilt rot your spine."
A cold shiver ran through Muzi's body. The voice felt more present than ever — not just words now, but presence. Like someone watching from behind his eyes.
Thwala waved a hand. "Load him back in. We'll talk when we get back. This whole thing's already more than it should've been."
They moved fast after that. Muzi walked in silence, letting the others crowd the truck. Sphilile was helped into a seat near the front.
As Muzi climbed in, he heard a quiet voice behind him.
"…thank you."
He turned, but she'd already looked away.
---