The carriage rumbled through the quiet streets, the distant sounds of the city fading behind them as they moved farther into the wilderness. Jack leaned back against the cushioned seat, arms crossed, his mind spinning with everything Talon and Monte had revealed. The prophecy. The government conspiracy. His role in all of it. None of it made sense, and yet it all felt too real to ignore.
Ein sat across from him, her gaze steady, but Jack could see the tension in her posture. She was just as unsettled as he was. He could feel her eyes on him, the weight of her concern settling in the silence between them.
Talon sat beside Monte, his eyes darting out the window, ever-watchful. The paranoia that had gripped him earlier was still there, and Jack could sense the captain's unease growing. The tension in the carriage was palpable—like they were all in a race against time, but no one knew exactly where the finish line was.
Monte, ever the enigma, broke the silence, his voice slurred but still clear. "We need to get farther away. The closer we are to the city, the more eyes there are. They'll be watching for us."
"Who exactly is watching for us?" Jack asked, his voice sharp. He couldn't stand how vague everyone was being. Every time he tried to ask a direct question, they danced around it, giving him just enough to keep him moving forward, but never enough to truly understand what was happening.
Monte chuckled softly, a humorless sound. "The government, of course. But not just them. There are factions within factions, hidden hands pulling strings. We may have escaped their notice for now, but it won't last. They'll come after us when the time is right."
Jack gritted his teeth. "So we're just supposed to run?"
Talon turned to face him, his expression grim. "For now, yes. Until we know more. Until we have a chance to strike back."
Jack felt his patience fraying. "I don't like running. I never have."
"You won't have to forever," Talon reassured him, though his voice lacked conviction. "But we need to understand who we're up against before we can act."
Jack leaned forward, his fingers tightening on his M17 holster. "And you're sure about this prophecy? That it has anything to do with me?"
Monte muttered something incoherent, then took another swig from his flask. Jack shot him a frustrated look, but the old man didn't seem to notice.
Talon answered, his voice low but unwavering. "It's not just about you, Jack. It's about what you represent. This prophecy—it's tied to the very core of this world's fate. They believe you're the one to destroy it. And they'll do anything to kill you before you have the chance to make that choice."
Jack's stomach tightened at the weight of the words. "So they want me dead."
Talon nodded grimly. "Exactly."
Ein's voice broke through the tension, soft but steady. "Jack… we don't know how much of this is true. We don't know what the prophecy really says, or what it means for us. We have to stay focused. I will protect you with my life, Jack."
Jack turned to her, meeting her gaze. Her eyes were filled with determination, but there was a hint of worry there too—she knew what was at stake, but she was still just as in the dark as he was. They were both just trying to make sense of a world that had suddenly turned upside down.
"We'll figure it out," Jack said, his voice firm. "We always do."
Talon turned to Monte, who had already taken another drink from his flask. "Monte, where are we headed exactly? You said something about a place where we can find more information."
Monte looked up, blinking slowly. "Ah, right. Forgot to mention that, didn't I? My mistake. There's a rebellious faction up north. Not far from the border. It is a safe haven for people like us—those who wanted to stay out of the government's watchful eye. Now, it's a place where we can gather intel and help each other to fight against government tyranny. We'll find what we need there."
"Do you trust this place?" Jack asked, eyeing Monte with skepticism.
Monte gave him a lopsided grin. "Trust? You'll have to decide that for yourself. But this faction has been at odds with the government
Jack didn't like the ambiguity in Monte's words. "And you're sure we won't be walking into a trap?"
Monte shrugged. "What's life without a little risk, eh?"
Jack exchanged a look with Ein, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Despite his reservations, Jack had no choice but to go along with this plan. They were on the move now, and there was no turning back.
After a long, tense ride, the carriage finally slowed to a halt. Talon pushed open the door and stepped out first, scanning the surroundings before giving the all-clear. Jack followed, stepping into the cool evening air, the sound of the carriage wheels fading as the forest loomed before them. The trees stood tall, their dark branches swaying gently in the breeze.
"We camp here for the night," Talon said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll head to the hideout in the morning."
The group set up camp quickly. Monte, despite his drunken state, had a surprising amount of knowledge about making a fire and setting up a temporary shelter. Jack and Ein took the first watch, standing guard on opposite sides of the camp, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
As the fire crackled softly between them, Jack leaned against a nearby tree, deep in thought. The weight of what he had learned today was settling heavily on his shoulders. A prophecy. A government conspiracy. The fate of a world that wasn't even his own. His head spun with all the unanswered questions.
Ein stood nearby, her gaze focused on the distant trees. The firelight flickered across her face, casting long shadows. They had not slept together in about a year now. Jack, while trusting her more, still had an emotional distance placed between them. As if they never shared a bed, never explored each others bodies. She longed for Jack to take her again, it was eating her alive. The need for Jack was eating her insides to the point where her brain was beginning to stir.
As morning approached, Jack heard Ein get up and walk deeper into the forest. Jack sat and waited for a while, assuming she went to the restroom. After too much time had passed, Jack got up and followed to check on her. Deep in the forest, Ein was training alone. She was sweating already, training with so much ferocity and intensity that it impressed Jack.
Ein and Jack met eyes for a moment as he watched her and she charged for him. Jack with many more years of training and experience, parried her attack with ease. She doubled back and slashed at him backwards, yelling and grunting. Jack was confused as to what she was doing. Was she trying to hurt him? was she really trying to attack him?
She slashed and stabbed at him, flipping over him to attack from different corners and angles, she used every move, ability and skill he taught her over the year. Jack dodged, parried and blocked everything. After a moment, Jack parried a thrusting strike, grabbed Ein's arm and used her momentum to put her on the ground. Jack held her there for a moment watching her squirm and resist with tears in her eyes, angry tears.
"What is happening with you , Ein?" Jack asked.
"What happened, Jack? You have been drifting from me for a long time now," Ein cried "I loved you and you just treat me like a tool! I trained my body until my bones hurt! I worked until my body couldn't move and my hands bled! I did all of this so you could accept me back into your arms! I miss your touch Jack, I miss when you used to make love to me. Why have you pushed me away? What else must I do to earn you back?" Ein had tears streaming down her face.
Jack held her down for a moment. Watching as she sobbed into the ground. His heart began to break for her, he didn't realize how much this was hurting her. She is crazy, she is obsessive, but she is the one person in this world he knew he could trust right now.
"I'm sorry Ein, I didn't know I was hurting you so much." Jack lifted her up and took her in his arms. "I'm just afraid of losing you like I lost my friends in the war. I didn't want to grow too attached in fear that losing you would be unbearable. I can't lose anymore people, Ein." Jack opened up to her about his dead comrades.
Ein understood now, she understood what made him so reluctant to have an emotional attachment to her. Why he always seemed to push her away just enough, he was afraid of getting too close to her and then losing her. He was traumatized from his past.
Ein took Jack's face in her palms, "I will stay alive for you Jack, I will live just to be at your side forever. You won't lose me Jack." Ein said lovingly and determined. She had a fire in her eyes now.
Jack nodded in agreement, Ein was his disciple but he loved her too. Jack made a silent vow that he would never lose a comrade again. Jack and Ein were looking into each others eyes, Jack was holder her close by the waist, her soft body on his palms again.
"Ahem" There was Monte and Talon standing on the edge of the plains watching them with sly smiles "time to go love birds, we still have a ways to go before we reach the faction. You may have your alone time when we arrive." Monte said, holding back laughter.
Jack released Ein from his hold and straightened his shirt with his hands, red colored his cheeks.
Ein was blushing too, but not from embarrassment. She wanted Jack at that moment, but she knew they had to leave now. She also knew that their moment will come soon. She will finally get to feel his touch again after all this time.
They packed up the carriage and paid the driver double to leave for the nearest town and leave them the carriage. The driver was more then happy to make the trade because Talon also threw in a very sizable tip. From now on, they will take turns driving the carriage themselves. Monte took the first drive, he wasn't exactly sober even this early in the morning but everyone knew this was probably the least drunk he would be all day so it was only fair he go first.
Jack allowed himself a moment of peace in the back of the carriage with Ein resting on his shoulder. Tomorrow would come soon enough. And when it did, they would be ready.