"I don't see any sector clothes… where is your brand?" the girl asked, squinting at RV suspiciously.
"S-sorry, but I don't have one," RV said quickly. "My father is a traveler. Drifters ambushed us and I ran away. I ended up here somehow."
Tanya tilted her head. "How long have you been out here?"
"All night…" RV replied, still catching his breath.
"What? All night? Didn't you get attacked by a Nightmare? You've got crazy luck, wanderer," Tanya said, raising an eyebrow. "Most people don't survive ten minutes with those things around."
She reached into her small bag and pulled out a loaf of bread. "Here. Take this. You must be starving."
RV didn't hesitate. He grabbed the bread and devoured it immediately, swallowing so fast he choked.
"HEY! EASY! No one's going to snatch it from you," Tanya laughed lightly.
"T-thank you," RV said, wiping his mouth. "My name… it's RV. Nice to meet you too."
"Well, RV," Tanya said, leaning back with her hands behind her head. "What were you doing out here all alone?"
RV swallowed the last crumbs. "I was running. Just trying to survive. Then I saw… a Nightmare."
"Oh?" Tanya said, a playful glint flashing in her eyes. "Well I was training… until someone was spying on me."
RV stiffened. "Sorry about that."
Tanya chuckled. "Relax. I'm joking. My sister always says, 'Natural ability is no substitute for hard work.' So I train every day. If I don't, I get dull."
"BARK!"
A loud bark echoed from somewhere nearby.
"Uh… I should go," RV said nervously, turning around.
"Wait, RV," Tanya called. "Come with me. You have nowhere to go. And trust me there's nothing but death out in the Deadlands."
RV hesitated. He didn't want to be a burden… but he also didn't want to die.
"…Okay," he said finally.
They walked side by side. The sounds of people, dogs barking, and distant metal clashing grew louder the deeper they went.
Meanwhile…
Sunny and several guards marched through the forest with Ryan at their side. They stopped as soon as Sunny raised his hand.
"Everyone stop. We're close to the blue Sovereign Viper's sector," Sunny warned the others.
"So what? Who gives a damn about that woman?" Ryan snapped.
Sunny frowned. "We cannot cross into another Sovereign's border without permission and going in with armed men. It's an act of war. You know the rules."
Ryan clicked his tongue. "We're wasting time. He's an escapee we need to bring him back."
"Use your brain, Ryan," Sunny said, staring him down. "Your anger is clouding your judgment. If you're not happy with my decision, tell your father. I'm not breaking Sovereign law."
The guards stood awkwardly, waiting.
"Everyone, fall back," Sunny ordered.
"YOU HEARD THE RAZOR! BACK TO THE SECTOR!" a guard shouted as the men quickly dispersed.
Ryan glared at the blue flags in the distance. "He better pray I don't find him…"
Sunny simply sighed. That boy… I hope he survived.
Back With RV and Tanya…
"Where… where are we going exactly?" RV asked.
"My sector," Tanya answered.
As they approached, tall steel gates covered in vines and blue markings rose before them. Blue flags with a stylized viper symbol flapped in the breeze.
RV stopped walking. "A-are you sure we can just walk in? Won't someone attack me?"
Tanya burst into laughter. "Don't be silly. No one's going to jump out and kill you. You're with me."
RV swallowed nervously but kept walking. Somehow, being beside her made him feel a little safer.
They stepped inside. People sparred in open courtyards. Dogs ran between buildings. Traders shouted prices. Guards patrolled with calm discipline.
It felt… alive.
Nothing like Talon's sector.
RV matched Tanya's pace until they reached a quieter part of the compound.
"Come on," Tanya said, pushing her bangs aside. "I'll take you to my sister."
"S-sister?" RV asked nervously.
She led him toward a wide wooden door. Through the glass, a woman sat cross-legged on the floor, meditating. Her aura was sharp, calm, dangerous.
"Is that your sister?" RV whispered.
"Yes," Tanya said proudly. "She's the Blue Sovereign. The queen of this sector."
RV felt his heart drop into his stomach.
The Viper.
The very woman whose men he just saw killing people earlier.
He was doomed.
"Wait here," Tanya said. "She hates being disturbed while training."
RV nodded stiffly, staying behind the glass door like it was the only thing protecting him from immediate death.
Tanya entered the room quietly.
"Uh… sis? Sorry for disturbing your training," Tanya said with a nervous smile. "But I brought someone. A new recruit. He's right there."
The Viper opened one eye slowly, looking directly at RV through the glass.
RV stiffened.
He couldn't breathe.
Her gaze alone felt like a blade against his throat.