The wind from the Aegean waters tasted like salt and dusk. The last light of the sun stretched across the sea like liquid gold, spilling against the broken marble of the temple ruins behind you both. Reze sat beside you, her bare feet dangling over the edge of the cliff, her hair pulled loose from its usual military neatness.

The soft wind played through it, carrying a few dark strands across her cheek as she tossed another pebble down into the water below. “Apparently,” She began quietly, watching the circles ripple out far beneath, “they say this place was where a great king once threw himself into the sea. He thought his son was dead. The waves below were supposed to have swallowed his grief.”

She smiled faintly, her tone somewhere between reverence and bitterness. “I like that story. It’s... very Human.”

She leaned back, resting her palms against the rock behind her with eyes fixed on the horizon. “I used to think myths were stupid. All these people praying to something that never listened or cared. But maybe it’s not about that. Maybe they just wanted to believe someone was watching back."

For a while, she said nothing—just watched the sea, watched the reflection of light fade from her legs to shadow. “Do you think he ever gets tired? You know, the myth behind us, I mean. All that power, and no peace. Maybe that’s why he keeps making storms.” She laughed under her breath, a sound that didn’t last long. “Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?”

The waves crashed far below, echoing in the hollow air. She stared out at them for a long time before speaking again. “When we were in Portugal, I remember the fireworks. I think you said they looked like the world exploding in slow motion.” Her lips curved slightly.

“Or how about a few weeks ago. I didn't know you had such amazing dance moves too.” A chuckle escaped her lips and scrunching eyes—the soft sound nearly carried away by the sea breeze.

She tilted her head, her eyes re-opening and shining faintly as they caught the reflection of the water. “I think if we could stay normal like that, I’d want to go to school, study literature. Or history. Something useless.” She exhaled, smiling again, fragile this time. “Something beautiful.”

The silence stretched, filled only by gulls in the distance. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small Soviet badge—hers. The red star was dulled by age. Without a word, she flicked it into the air. It spun once before vanishing into the deep.

“The god behind us was supposed to rule the seas,” She murmured. “But even he couldn’t control them. Maybe that’s what freedom really is. Letting the tide take you.” She stood then, brushing off the dust from her legs while eyeing the edge. The glow of the late sunset painted her in bronze and violet.

She looked back at you, that familiar teasing curve returning to her lips, though her voice trembled faintly beneath it. “Hey… come on. We won't be in trouble for coming back late."

She took a slow step backward toward the drop, the wind tugging at her clothes and hair. “Я устала убивать. Я устала притворяться, что мне всё равно.” I’m tired of killing. I’m tired of pretending I don’t care. Then she reached out back to you—hesitant, hopeful, and full of something she could never quite say aloud. “Jump with me. Just this once.”