Adrian considered her words. He saw the weariness in her eyes—the same exhaustion he carried—but also a spark of determination.
"You said you've got secrets," he said finally. "What kind?"
She glanced at the crossbow on her back, then reached into her satchel and pulled out a small metal object—half-rusted, half-intact. Adrian's breath caught.
A microchip.
Kaela grinned at his reaction. "Yeah. I thought that would get your attention."
That night, after she was given a place to rest, Adrian stood by the fire with Elara and Torren.
"You believe her?" Elara asked quietly.
"I believe she knows things this world shouldn't," Adrian said. "And if she's right about others like us, then this world is changing faster than I thought."
Torren spat into the dirt. "Allies or not, Builder, remember—every new friend brings new enemies."
Adrian looked toward the sleeping village, the cracked wall, and the faint glow of Kaela's campfire in the dark.
"Then we'll build for them too," he said softly. "Because if more of us are out there… we're not just rebuilding a village anymore."
He looked up at the stars.
"We're rebuilding a world."