Ryn felt them before he heard them.
Two presences stood at the edge of his awareness, trying very hard not to exist.
They were close.
Close enough to hear every word.
Ryn didn't look in their direction, already knowing who they were.
Taylor stood beside him, arms folded. Mira had already started toward Central—she had to continue playing her role, after all.
Ryn inclined his head slightly.
"Not sure the Outside Tribes looking at us like heroes is a good thing," he said.
Taylor didn't glance at him. "But they already do."
"Yeah."
Ryn exhaled quietly.
"But hope externalized becomes dependency. And dependency collapses the moment the pillar cracks."
Taylor exhaled softly. "You're speaking like someone who's already accepted the cost."
"I have," Ryn replied.
She turned her head just enough to study him. "Is that why you proposed the drug?"
He nodded.
"Giving them the means to stand without us," Ryn answered. "Even if it accelerates the damage."
