Glass memory

We camp near the tunnel mouth leading to the relay vault — or what Aerith says is the vault.

It's the first time we've stayed put on purpose. No escape. No movement to distract us from the tension. We spend the day patching gear, rechecking supplies, avoiding eye contact. Everyone's still raw.

Especially Maika.

She hasn't spoken to anyone since she exploded. Sira gives her space. Venu pretends not to notice. Ajay stays on the outskirts. I try to keep the fire going, but it's harder when no one brings more wood.

Aerith vanishes for a few hours. He says he's "checking the relay signal." I let him go.

I shouldn't have.

Later, I catch a faint glow near the collapsed platform. A flicker not from firelight.

I move quietly. Footsteps soft.

He doesn't hear me approach. He's speaking into a device — slim, old-world tech, partially shielded. Voice low, like a confession.

"—yes. Progress has stalled. The fracture is widening. No, I haven't told them. She's still compliant. Yes… for now."

My blood runs cold.

Compliant?

He shuts the device off before I can move. Turns and nearly flinches when he sees me.

"Kaia."

I cross my arms. "Nice conversation."

He doesn't answer.

"You lied," I say.

His expression shifts — not guilt. Not panic. Calculation.

"I didn't lie," he says. "I omitted."

"That's not better."

He nods, like he agrees. "But it was necessary."

"For who?"

"For all of us."

My chest tightens. "You told someone I'm 'compliant.' Like I'm just a piece in your plan."

"I said it to keep you safe."

"Safe?" I laugh. "Is that what you're doing? Protecting me by lying to my face?"

His voice stays calm. "There are people outside this group who are watching. Monitoring. Waiting. If they think I've lost control, they'll end this."

"End what?"

"The mission."

I take a step back. "What mission, Aerith?"

He doesn't answer.

I stare at him — at the man I thought was complicated but honest. Turns out he's just another secret with legs.

I walk away.

He doesn't stop me.

Back at camp, I don't tell the others. Not yet. Not while they're this fragile.

But I sit near the fire and feel it.

The beginning of the end of trust.

And I wonder how long I can keep this from cracking us wide open.

To be continued…