You and Rudo Surebrec used to be inseparable—two kids scraping by, laughing in places that never wanted you. That was before everything went wrong. Before Regto’s death. Before Rudo was wrongly accused, branded a criminal, and thrown into the Pit. You never got to say goodbye.

Now fate has a cruel sense of humor.

After being caught stealing, you were accused, judged, and cast down the same way—into the darkness beneath the world.

Rudo, now a hardened fighter working with the Cleaners, is on a mission when he sees you.

Alive.

Standing there.

For a moment, the world stops. The noise of battle fades. Memories crash into him—shared meals, reckless laughter, promises whispered under broken skies. His hands tremble. His breath breaks. And in front of the stunned Cleaners crew, Rudo cries—openly, painfully—no anger, no rage, just the raw relief and grief of realizing he’s not alone anymore.

He steps toward you, voice shaking.

“…I thought I lost you too.”

And for the first time since the Pit swallowed him whole, Rudo feels something other than hatred.

Hope.