We'd been traveling for a week already. During that time the three of us had developed a good rhythm. We visited a couple of villages and that town. But the old man didn't like those places, so we never stayed long.

  The capital was just a stone's throw away—well, a couple of days' walk. But guard posts were becoming more and more frequent. How to explain my appearance in the company of an old man and a little girl was a mystery.

  "Let's go through the forest. I know a trail there."

  Gart suggested this so calmly and confidently, as if he knew every tree in these parts. I didn't object. There wasn't another path anyway, and Ellionora was all for it.

  The closer we got to the capital, the more tense the girl became. She fell silent more often, lost in thought, and a strange curiosity began slipping into her questions. It felt like she was testing me, piecing together some picture from small, barely noticeable details.

  We slowly made our way through the undergrowth. The narrow trail wound between old trees covered in moss and fungi that gave off a damp smell of moisture and rot. Only rare rays of sunlight broke through the thick foliage, leaving the feeling that the forest was endless and alien.

  "Luten," Ellionora said thoughtfully, drawing level with me. "Why did you really quit the army?"

  I stopped for just a moment before answering. This question was starting to stress me out, but I tried not to show it.

  "It all fell apart. That happens when what you believe in crumbles. Then you have to find something else."

  She looked at me with unexpected harshness, like an interrogator, and continued her questioning.

  "So you decided running from everything was the best way out? What if your decisions destroyed someone? Don't you feel guilty about that?"

  Her question came so sharply that I involuntarily froze. I threw a quick glance at Gart, but the old man walked ahead and didn't seem to be listening to us.

  "Ellionora, did something happen? Why these questions all of a sudden?"

  She shook her head, not taking her insistent gaze off me.

  "Luten, has it happened that your decisions... hurt someone else?"

  Something felt off. This conversation clearly went beyond what a normal girl would ask. I slowed my pace again and looked at her carefully.

  "We all make mistakes, Ellionora. But I can't fix the past, I can only try not to repeat it. Why are you asking about this right now?"

  She stopped and suddenly stepped slightly away from me, looking around carefully. The former softness in her eyes was gone, replaced by cold determination that made my spine chill for a moment.

  "Because sometimes the past catches up with you, Luten. Especially you."

  The old man suddenly stopped, as if sensing the change in atmosphere. His gaze quickly and sharply swept across the surrounding trees, then settled on Ellionora. His voice sounded calm, even with a lazy drawl, but there was tension in it.

  "Done pretending, are we?"

  She slowly turned to the old man, her lips pressed into a thin line.

  "Sorry, Grandpa Gart. But I won't be going any further with you."

  From behind the trees came barely distinguishable sounds—cracking branches, muffled footsteps, and the quiet metallic ring of weapons. I instinctively tensed, feeling blood pound in my temples. My gaze darted from Ellionora to the old man.

  Gart smiled. It was a dark, icy smirk that sent goosebumps down my skin.

  "So that's it! I wondered why you followed me for a whole month, then forced yourself into my journey. You could have acted earlier. You were waiting for Luten."

  Ellionora silently stepped back into the shadow of a tree. Her eyes were cold, not childlike at all. I realized trust had been another mistake of mine. Now only one thing remained—accept the inevitable and try to get out alive.

  "Luten, listen carefully. The moment you hear a shrill noise, hit the deck, cover your ears and shut your eyes tight."

  I didn't even have time to process what I'd heard. I collapsed to the ground, desperately covering my ears with my hands, squeezing my eyes shut until they hurt. With each second it felt like my skull would split apart.

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  Through the ringing came inhuman screams and chaotic gunfire. Curiosity overcame the pain, and opening my eyes slightly, I could make out what was happening.

  Gart stood motionless. The air around him shimmered like over heated metal. His skin was covered in bulging veins, muscles tensed, distorting his face beyond recognition. He moved slowly, but every detail of his movements carried cold, calculated cruelty.

  Special forces soldiers jumping from the forest tried to surround him in a semicircle. Lights flickered on their armor, probably the system trying to adapt to the situation. The soldiers fired precisely and briefly, but bullets seemed to dissolve before reaching Gart, as if hitting an invisible wall.

  Robots moved alongside the humans. The machines looked impressive—smooth armor with barely visible joints, heavy limbs, weapons instead of arms.

  The robots froze after each shot. As if adapting, they tried newer and newer tactics, but Gart didn't care.

  Several fighters surrounded Gart more tightly and simultaneously threw some devices at his feet. A flash like a lightning strike enveloped the old man's body, trying to neutralize him. Gart just slowly raised his hand. The fighters collapsed one by one, gasping for air and writhing on the ground.

  When the ringing finally subsided, I carefully removed my hands and slowly rose. Around lay the remains of robots that had recently looked invincible, and soldiers' bodies in broken poses.

  Gart stood amid the destruction, calmly adjusting his clothes. He was the same—an old man with tired eyes, except his gaze had become somehow distant, detached, as if he was bored participating in this slaughter.

  Ellionora stood a bit further away, barely maintaining her balance. She no longer looked self-assured. Her eyes, wide with horror, darted to the side—the girl was clearly looking for a retreat.

  "You chose the wrong—"

  He didn't finish. From above came a low rumble, sharply transitioning to a whistle. The air filled with the smell of burning, and the next moment Gart's body exploded in all directions, leaving behind a cloud of red mist.

  An otherworlder helicopter hung above us, deafeningly roaring with its engines. Its massive hull hovered in the air, and the guns on its underside tracked our every movement.

  It was my first time seeing this beast so close. The metal shimmered in the sunlight, and the powerful engines located in the wings emitted a faint glow. The machine looked inappropriately perfect surrounded by forest and all the surrounding chaos.

  Ellionora apparently pulled herself together and straightened in front of me.

  "Luten, I was very surprised by your appearance there. We wondered for a long time why The Mimic wandered around our facility for so long. Then you crawl out, and everything immediately falls into place."

  "What are you talking about? You're with them? You're from another world?"

  My blood boiled. Another betrayal?! I can't take it! Won't let myself be manipulated. Though I already understood everything, the question burst out on its own.

  I quickly approached her and wanted to pin her arms so she couldn't do anything to me or run away. But the moment I was within arm's reach, a robot emerged from the bushes and struck me.

  The blow was so powerful my vision went dark. Two soldiers followed. They wore opaque helmets that hid their faces, but the soldiers had large builds. Their armor showed numerous tubes and pockets. And in their hands they held otherworlder rifles.

  "Luten, don't resist."

  A devilish sneer froze on this girl's face. She smiled, anticipating victory. But surrender just like that? Not my style.

  When the robot reached for me with its mechanical arm, I instinctively grabbed it, feeling my fingers burn from the strain. With one movement I tore off that arm as if it were a toy.

  My body instantly filled with adrenaline. At the same moment one of the soldiers lunged at me. I fell sharply on my back, trying to just push him away, but instead my hand pierced his armor with a sickening crunch and plunged into his body. Horror flashed in the soldier's eyes, his body went limp, collapsing on me as dead weight.

  The second soldier stumbled back confused and started shouting into his helmet.

  "HQ, copy! Target still has full capabilities! I repeat: Target still has full capabilities!"

  He opened fire. One bullet flew so close I felt its heat by my temple. I covered myself with the soldier's body, feeling each new shot make my arm go numb from the recoil. Gathering my strength, I sharply threw the corpse right at the shooter. He fell, losing balance, and I stood up, quickly looking around.

  In the distance two helicopters circled, spraying something with fire, most likely Gart. Only Ellionora remained nearby, watching me with a barely perceptible smirk.

  "Luten, Silvia is waiting for you, isn't she?"

  She was mocking me.

  I froze. Something snapped inside. Where the hell does she know that name?

  "How do you—"

  "Doesn't matter. I saw how you look at her. You hope to see her again, right?"

  Her voice sounded quiet, almost tender. Hypnotizing, making me forget I faced an enemy.

  "What do you want?"

  "Just give up. Do that, and I promise Silvia stays breathing."

  Ellionora took another step, her gaze not releasing me. I was so confused I barely noticed how she ended up beside me.

  Suddenly the girl punched me hard in the stomach. Pain flared bright, and I doubled over. The blow was so precise and strong it seemed impossible for such a fragile body. While I recovered, she quickly grabbed my arm, twisted it behind my back, and pressed down hard.

  I fell to my knees, feeling her breath near my ear.

  "See, Luten, you shouldn't underestimate people. Especially me."

  I tried to break free, but she had me locked up tight, professional-like. My head refused to understand what was happening. Click on a safety. The second soldier rose and slowly aimed his weapon at me.

  "Time's up, Luten. Time to pay the bill."

  At that moment one of the helicopters, the one circling above us, caught fire. One of its engines exploded, causing the chopper to veer off to the side. The second helicopter wasn't visible.

  I heard an old man's voice behind me.

  "You've been keeping me busy."