Empire of Nothing

Nova was on the back terrace when she heard the footsteps.

Heavy. Sharp. Controlled.

She didn't have to turn to know it was Ryder.

"I saw you with Max," he said, voice like ice cracking under pressure.

Nova didn't look away from the horizon. "Congratulations. You've unlocked the power of sight."

"Don't push me."

She turned slowly. "Then stop giving me reasons to."

He stood just a few feet away, his arms folded like a wall he couldn't stop building. His jaw was tense, his eyes darker than usual.

"You think just because Leon lets you stay here, you're one of us?"

"I don't want to be one of you."

Ryder stepped closer. "Then stop acting like you belong."

Nova's hands clenched. "I'm not the one who invited myself in."

"You think we owe you something?"

"No," she said. "But I didn't ask to lose everything. I didn't ask to live here. You think this was my dream?"

"Then act like it's a favor, not a right."

Nova's voice dropped to a whisper. "This house isn't a favor. It's a cage. You just like holding the keys."

That hit something in him.

His face twisted. "You don't know anything about me."

"I know enough," she snapped. "You hate me because I don't crawl. I don't beg. Because I didn't shatter when you ignored me."

"You walk around like you're owed respect."

"I walk around like someone who survived."

For a long second, they just stood there — storm and steel — staring each other down.

Then Ryder took another step forward.

Nova didn't back down.

"I don't trust you," he said. "And I never will."

"Then stay out of my way," she replied.

But Ryder didn't move.

And neither did she.

The tension snapped before she could stop herself. "Why does it bother you so much that I exist, Ryder?"

His jaw clenched. "Because every time I see you… I remember what it's like to be replaceable."

Nova froze.

His voice was barely above a whisper now. "He lets you in. Laughs with you. Defends you. And we've been here our whole lives. Fighting to be seen. Fighting to matter."

Nova didn't know what to say to that.

So instead, she said the only thing she could:

"I didn't take anything from you."

"You didn't have to," Ryder muttered. "He gave it."

With that, he turned and walked away.

But for the first time…

Nova didn't feel victorious.

She felt broken.

Because in his anger, Ryder had told the truth.

And it hurt more than any silence ever had