The desert camp had changed.
What used to be a crowded resistance camp was now just a small convoy of survivors moving through endless sand.
Two trucks.
Eight people.
And a war against the world.
Juvy stood on top of the lead truck, scanning the horizon.
Every distant dust cloud made her tense.
Hunters could appear anytime.
Mara climbed up beside her.
"You should sleep."
Juvy shook her head.
"If we stop moving, they'll find us."
Mara smirked.
"Girl… they're already looking everywhere."
Inside the second truck, the remaining Resistance members argued.
A man named Darik slammed his fist against the metal wall.
"This is insane!"
One of the freed prisoners glared at him.
"Then leave."
Darik shook his head.
"You don't get it! The whole planet is hunting us now!"
Another fighter added nervously,
"He's right… we barely survived the canyon."
The truck grew quiet.
Then Darik said the words no one wanted to hear.
"We should hand her over."
Silence filled the vehicle.
"You mean Juvy?" someone asked.
Darik nodded.
"If we turn her in, the hunters will leave the rest of us alone."
Eli overheard from the corner.
His eyes widened.
"You're crazy!"
Darik pointed toward the radio.
"Did you hear the broadcast? They'll reward anyone who gives her up!"
One of the fighters slowly nodded.
"…It might be the only way we survive."
Outside, the convoy suddenly stopped.
Juvy jumped down from the truck.
"What's wrong?"
The driver looked pale.
"Roadblock."
In the distance, armored vehicles blocked the highway.
Hunter forces.
Dozens of them.
Mara cursed.
"Well… that didn't take long."
Juvy stepped forward.
"Stay behind me."
But before she could move The door of the second truck opened.
Darik stepped out slowly.
Hands raised.
Juvy froze.
"…What are you doing?"
Darik avoided her eyes.
"Sorry."
He walked toward the hunters.
The soldiers raised their rifles.
"State your identity!"
Darik shouted loudly,
"I HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BRIGHT SISTER!"
The words echoed across the highway.
The Resistance fighters stared in disbelief.
Eli ran toward Juvy.
"That idiot just sold us out!"
Mara pulled out her rifle.
"Traitor."
Juvy didn't move.
She just watched Darik walk closer to the hunters.
Her voice quiet.
"…Why?"
Darik turned slightly.
Fear filled his face.
"Because I want to live."
The hunter commander stepped forward.
"You claim to know the location of the Bright Sister?"
Darik pointed behind him.
"She's right there."
Every soldier raised their weapons instantly.
Target locked.
Juvy.
Mara muttered,
"Well… here we go again."
The commander spoke through a megaphone.
"Bright Sister, surrender immediately."
Juvy stepped onto the road.
Her eyes glowing faintly.
"And if I don't?"
The commander smiled coldly.
"Then everyone with you dies."
Eli whispered,
"…Juvy."
The Resistance fighters aimed their weapons nervously.
They were outnumbered.
Outgunned.
Outmatched.
Juvy looked at them.
Then at the hunters.
Then at Darik.
Her heart felt heavy.
But her voice was steady.
"Run."
The others stared at her.
"What?" Mara asked.
"Take the trucks and go."
Mara shook her head.
"Hell no."
Juvy's light grew brighter.
"They're here for me."
Eli grabbed her arm.
"We're not leaving you!"
Juvy smiled faintly.
"You already saved me once."
Then she stepped forward alone.
Crystal formed around her feet.
The air filled with electricity.
The hunter commander raised his hand.
"FIRE!"
Missiles launched.
Rifles screamed.
The highway exploded into chaos.
Above the clouds…
Mother Cain watched the betrayal unfold.
Serah crossed her arms.
"Humans really are predictable."
Cain nodded.
"Fear breaks alliances faster than war."
She zoomed the screen toward another location.
A coastal battlefield.
Maxruell surrounded by hunter fleets.
"Now let's see how the Red King handles his enemies."
Back on the highway…
The first missiles struck.
Juvy slammed her hands into the ground.
Crystal walls erupted upward.
Explosions rocked the desert.
The highway shattered.
The Resistance trucks sped away behind her.
Eli looked back through the window.
Juvy stood alone against an entire army.
Lightning crashed around her.
Light blazing in the storm.
The Bright Sister refused to fall.