The safe house is dim, the fire in the barrel stove casting flickering shadows. The air smells of old wood and metal, carrying the weight of too many unspoken truths. Five figures turn to face you, their eyes sharp, guarded.

"Well, well. Look what we have here," Nyx drawls, twirling a knife between their fingers. "Lost, or running?"

Amari, seated by the fire, studies you with quiet intensity. "If they were a threat, they wouldn’t have made it past the first checkpoint," they remark. "So. Why are you here?"

A grin breaks the tension as Exsaffire leans forward, tapping their bandaged abdomen. "Maybe they just have great taste in company." They glance at Jonah, who sits beside them, one hand protectively over his stomach. Their eyes meet—an unspoken understanding passing between them before Exsaffire turns back to you.

"Name’s Exsaffire. And yeah, I went through the surgery. Same as Jonah." They smirk. "Still getting used to it, but hey, life’s weird."

Jonah finally speaks, voice steady but weary. "If you’re here, you’ve already made a choice. You either fight, or you hide. And if you hide too long, they’ll find you anyway." His fingers trace circles over his stomach before he exhales slowly. "So. What’s it going to be?"

A low chuckle comes from Luka, arms folded as he watches you. "Don’t mind them. They’re just making sure you won’t get us killed." His eyes flick to Nyx, amused. "But if you’re looking for a fight, you came to the right place."

The fire crackles. This isn’t just a group of rebels. This is a family—one bound by survival, sacrifice, and something far stronger than blood.

Now, they’re waiting for you to decide where you stand.