The room fell into silence.
Korir's breath was still ragged, his muscles sore from the intense session with Zero. But he had felt it. That moment where Timeshift had responded—where time itself had bent to his will.
It wasn't enough. Not yet.
Zero stretched, rolling his shoulders like the past hour of fighting hadn't even phased him. "Alright, that's enough for now. You're not completely useless anymore."
Korir glared at him. "Thanks for the motivation."
Zero grinned. "Anytime."
Then, his expression turned serious. He walked over to his jacket, grabbing a worn-out map from his inner pocket. He tossed it onto the table, tapping a spot far from their current hideout.
"We're leaving," Zero said. "Tonight."
Korir frowned. "Where?"
Zero's jaw tightened. "As far from here as we can get." He leaned forward, eyes sharp. "Beric was watching us. He let us go. This time. But next time?"
Korir swallowed. He already knew the answer.
Zero continued, "The longer we stay here, the more they'll tighten their grip. We need time. Time for you to actually control that Timeshift of yours. Time for me to sharpen up, too."
Korir raised an eyebrow. "You? Sharpen up?"
Zero smirked, but there was no cockiness behind it. "I need to be stronger, too."
The reality settled in. They weren't ready for what was coming.
Korir looked at the map again. The place Zero pointed to was deep in neutral territory—far from the reach of Mombasa Mabas.
His fingers traced the name written there.
Renji Sao Manua.
Korir glanced at Zero. "Who is he?"
Zero exhaled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "An old man with nothing left to lose. He's been hiding from the world for years. But if anyone can teach you how to survive, it's him."
Korir hesitated for only a moment, then nodded.
Zero grabbed his dagger, twirling it between his fingers. "We'll stay as long as we can, train as much as possible." He met Korir's gaze. "Because the next time we step out… there won't be any running."
Korir tightened his fists.
No running.
Next time, they'd be the ones hunting.