Sai left Ash and Esther waiting, saying they needed an hour to prepare something for their way out of the city.

"And they definitely aren't going to rat you out," Ash said.

Esther squinted at her.

"That...probably made you think Sai's definitely going to rat you out, didn't it?" Ash said. "I should have probably just not said anything."

"Do you overthink things a lot?" Esther asked.

"Constantly, probably." Ash said. "And out loud usually, too."

"Maybe we can talk about something less worrying," Esther said.

While the two waited, they gushed about their favorite stories about the three heroes, enhanced with Ihli's actual sword until Sai showed up. Even though Esther was clearly more experienced with this heroic business, she was clearly just in much shock as Ash about seeing a real legendary relic.

Sai returned carrying a large box, looking around like they were expecting someone to be following them, which was understandable to Ash.

"So what's in there?" Ash asked.

"N-nothing much," Sai said. "But it's part of my...well, let me explain."

Esther didn't react much to Sai's anxiousness, looking more curious about what was in the box. The group moved to a secluded section on the side of the temple before they finally felt ready to talk.

“This box cannot be opened in this city, or I’m dead and my future is gone.” Sai said. “I've been working on getting out of this city myself, as I need to get this out of here. And fortunately I’ve come up with a way.”

The box rattled. Sai put their elbows on top of it.

“Yes, I came up with this plan.” They said, digging their arms in for emphasis.

“There’s someone in there.” Esther said. “Did you like, almost kill someone? Ash, are you sure about them?"

“I’ve known them forever!” Ash said. It wasn't entirely true, but she needed to sell Esther on Sai and could tell she was faltering. “Maybe if we could peek in the box, we’d feel more confident.”

“No way. You’re gonna have to trust me on this one.” Sai said. “All of you."

"All two of us." Esther said.

"Yes, all two of you!" Sai said.

Sai apparently trusted whatever was in the box enough to stop leaning on it so hard. They assumed a more confident stance. Then they pulled out a large sheet of paper and unfurled it between their guests.

“The plan, however, we can take a peek at.” Sai said. “Observe! This, obviously, is a map of our beloved city. Obviously, we can’t take the rail line because you guys have your reasons and I have mine. So we need to take an alternate route.” They pointed out some dotted lines on the next nearest landmass, past the leviathan graves in the sea.

"I don't think I've ever seen you this animated before," Ash said.

"I get passionate about maps, alright?" Sai said. “There are still some Colony patrols around here with their dragons. But, I have it on good authority that they are still using some swarmer planes, the same ones they used in the war, that seat six soldiers. But they're currently automated, just emitting simple radar signals since in theory this isn't a hotspot the Colony needs to worry about."

"In theory," Ash repeated, thinking about how lucky Esther was to avoid detection while crashing a plane into the water. She realized they probably didn't have much time before that was found.

"About the automated planes," Esther said. "So they have no living soldiers on board?"

"Yes, they're completely empty at the moment," Sai rolled up the map. “I have…or rather an associate of mine has obtained one of the flares the soldiers used to trigger the swarmers to come get them. All we have to do is trigger this, steal a plane, fly out of here, and we’re clear.”

It certainly wasn’t the plan Ash would have thought of, it was terrifying. She thought to herself that she'd almost rather swim all the way out of the city than try this.

“So it’s a really stupid plan.” Esther said. Ash was almost relieved. Until she immediately added, “But there isn’t anything else I can think of. I’m ready to fight a bit to get out of here.”

Ash felt a bit lightheaded, so she went silent as Esther and Sai finalized plans, they wanted to go as soon as possible, and decided on the next evening, as Sai said that delivery would be the easiest to get to.

Ash went back to her apartment, not sure what to say to Esther as the two sat in silence. She'd been blasted with so much information at once, and was unsure of how to process it. She went back to her room and tried to pack as much as she could into a backpack, in case she did decide to go. Ash didn’t really think about how long she’d be gone.

Ash always felt calmer in water, being able to think more clearly when she was floating, unburdened by the air or solid ground. She didn’t have the luxury in her small dorm room to float, but the bath was a suitable compromise to being submersed.

The choice laid out before her was that she could either keep slowly dying in this city, finishing up however many years of work and school she had to before she could officially leave. Ash would still be able to take baths, and sleep in comfy enough beds…or she could leave that all behind. For what? A chance to fix this, a call apparently given by her sister, with the sword of one of the legendary heroes.

Ash sighed and sunk into the water, blowing bubbles.

How long would it even take? Could I possibly get back before anyone noticed? Would anyone notice? Would I even want to come back? Is Myles safe? Could I help her if she isn't?

Without finding a clear answer, Ash stepped out of the bathtub and saw that her bag was slightly open, her favorite book peeking out. The book that featured tales of her heroes going beyond what they thought possible to try and make a difference in the world.

A little twinge of hope wormed its way into her heart.

Maybe I could see Myles again. My parents. Impossible, maybe? I haven’t seen any of them since the war.

She didn't know what happened to her parents but at this point, Ash needed some hope to hold onto. Maybe they were out there somewhere, waiting for her to find them.

Esther was dozing off on Ash's bed. As she watched her new friend nearly fall asleep, Ash found herself not wanting to let Esther down. They'd only just met, but Ash felt a strong need to help her. Ash went out to the nearest window and thought about what she should really be doing.

In some masterstroke of fate, it was at that moment that she looked out her window that Ash saw a tiny orange dot rise up into the sky, creating a small pattern.

"Um...Esther?" Ash said.

Esther stirred on the bed.

It was the flare. Sai’s flare. A whole night early. Did they mean tomorrow night? Did kAsh mishear?

For a few minutes as Esther started to wake up and process the sight, Ash just watched and waited, her fear having her completely glued to where she stood.

If this was happening now, this was Ash's last chance to turn back. When I saw the red light blinking through the clouds, her heart sank a bit. It was really happening. The swarmer ship came into sight.

"I guess it's time," Esther said. "Come on!"

Before she knew it, Ash had snatched her backpack and started running.

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