At another location…
The metallic hallway echoed with quiet footsteps.
Three figures moved in formation—disciplined, controlled.
At the front walked Vortex, his presence calm yet heavy. Behind him followed his elite operatives—Arctic Templar and Blockade.
For a while, only silence filled the corridor.
Then—
"Sir…" Arctic finally spoke, his voice hesitant but firm. "If I may ask… why did you let Blaze and that Resistance sniper escape?"
His tone sharpened slightly.
"If the Empire finds out… this won't end well. So what's the real reason? Was it just to keep Blaze away from the Empire… or is there something more?"
Vortex didn't stop walking.
Instead, a faint smile formed on his lips.
"You noticed it too, didn't you?" he said calmly. "His power… his skill… his overall strength."
Arctic's expression tightened."Yes, sir. When I confronted him…"
Vortex cut in.
"And yet… you couldn't even faze him."
Silence.
"…No, sir."
They continued walking.
"But we did come to an agreement…" Arctic added quietly.
Before Vortex could respond, Blockade spoke up.
"Sir, why does the Empire even want that Resistance sniper? Does she have classified information?"
Vortex let out a soft chuckle.
"You're looking at the wrong target," he said.
They both glanced at him.
"The sniper?" Vortex continued. "She's just a cover."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"The real objective… is Blaze."
Arctic and Blockade froze for a moment.
"Even the Grandmaster…" Vortex added, "has taken an interest in him."
"…The Grandmaster?" Blockade repeated, surprised. "Have you ever spoken to him, sir?"
Vortex shook his head.
"Unfortunately, no. I've only seen him during high-level meetings. I don't even have permission to address him."
A brief pause.
"Only Commander Frostbyte has that privilege."
The weight of those words lingered as they walked deeper into the Empire facility.
Eventually, they reached a secluded section—hidden in the farthest corner of the complex.
A door slid open.
Inside—
A dimly lit room.
A figure sat on the bed.
Silver-blonde hair fell over her shoulders. A scythe rested quietly against the wall.
SK… The Reaper.
It had been days since the incident.
SK clenched her chest slightly, pain still lingering from her last battle.
"…I really thought that was it," she muttered. "Thought I was dead."
Her thoughts drifted.
She should regroup with Blaze…
But where were they now?
By this time, they should already be outside the Empire's territory.
Then another thought hit her—
Who saved me?
Her gaze shifted.
A piece of paper lay on the nearby table.
She reached for it and began reading.
Incident at Empire FactoryResistance Sniper — WANTEDSK "The Reaper" — MISSING
"…What?" she whispered.
Before she could process it—
Click.
The door opened.
She turned instantly.
Three figures entered.
Vortex. Arctic. Blockade.
Her instincts kicked in—she grabbed her scythe and raised it defensively.
"Easy now…" Vortex said calmly.
They stared at each other.
"Why are you here?" SK demanded. "What do you want?"
"You're still wounded," Vortex replied. "Move too much and you'll reopen your injuries."
SK didn't lower her weapon.
"You… saved me?"
Vortex shrugged slightly.
"Technically… Blaze did the fighting."
Her eyes narrowed.
"…Then why am I not wanted like Ryze?"
Arctic answered this time.
"Because the Empire won't announce a traitor publicly," he said. "If one soldier turns… others might follow."
Blockade nodded.
"But internally?" Arctic added. "You're just as wanted as her."
Vortex stepped forward.
"And once they confirm you're alive… they will hunt you down."
Silence filled the room.
SK lowered her scythe slightly.
"…What about you?" she asked, eyes locked on Vortex. "You helped me… helped Blaze… helped the Resistance."
Vortex smiled faintly.
"Worry about yourself first, SK," he said. "This isn't the first time I've helped someone who opposes the Empire."
He raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
Blockade immediately stepped forward, unloading supplies onto the table—
Bags.Maps.Weapons.Food.
"Take these," Vortex said. "It should be enough to get you to Blaze and the Resistance."
He turned toward the door.
"You need to leave soon. But for now… rest. Fully recover before you move."
As they began to leave—
"Commander…"
Vortex stopped.
SK stood straight despite her injuries… and gave a salute.
"…Thank you."
Vortex didn't turn back.
He simply walked away.
The hallway once again echoed with footsteps.
After a moment—
"Arctic. Blockade."
"Yes, sir?"
Vortex stopped walking.
"This will be my final order to both of you."
They stiffened.
"Leave the Empire… and follow them."
"…Sir—what?!" Blockade blurted out.
"The Empire will soon discover what I've been doing," Vortex said calmly. "I don't have much time left."
Arctic clenched his fists.
"Then let us stay and fight with you!"
Vortex shook his head.
"No. The best thing I can do… is make sure you're not dragged down with me."
"…But sir—"
"That's an order."
Silence.
Heavy.
Painful.
"…As you wish, Commander," Arctic finally said.
Vortex nodded once.
And kept walking.
As the day came to an end…
The Empire began to crack—from within.