REVOLUTION: A Rebel Among Monsters ✔

Twenty-Three••Your Mission, If You Accept It

Melaynia glanced out the window, watching buildings pass as her lonely crystal carriage departed Finley Point. But she preferred the emptiness to the coldness Valnia had expressed. Hot tears still clogged in her eyes at the memory of her sister's disheartened demeanor, leaving her to fend for herself without a care if she survived the mission or not.

Rebel. Really?

She was used to being called a rebel above ground; but such a nickname in the recruit world had a different meaning, and severe consequences she wasn't ready to handle.

She took a deep breath as the transport moved along the gravel road, heading further north. The mask suffocated her; she wished she could shrug it off... but she was supposed to be dead.

Savannah Village, the medicinal center of Cerule and link to outer city factories, was her first stop. Most called it the "Passage North", and it was the best place to stop for those migrating to the other side of the immense Village Mountain Range.

I have a long way to go, since Mount Pleasant Village and Santon Village are behind those mountains.

On the front wall of the carriage she identified a small map indicating the carriage's route straight through the mountains. It showed red x's where she was to stop for supplies and take a break.

Savannah Village was closer than expected, and as the wheels whizzed under the entrance sign, Melaynia slowed the speed and plucked out her notebook to jot down a few notes. She also traced a few drawings of what she saw; of the pine forests lingering to the east, and the plains and farms stretched out to the west.

Between training sessions, Wylan had told her he was born in Savannah Village. And he'd told her where to look for a decent meal and discounts on materials she'd need.

He was more helpful than my own sister.

She frowned. Wylan wouldn't divulge much about the operation details, either. He claimed he had no notion of them, but who was to say he wasn't brain-washed too? He appeared different from most recruits, but what if it was an act? It wouldn't have surprised her if he and Valnia worked together against her. And if they were trying to help her... Wylan put more effort into it than Valnia did.

After finding a parking space, she walked around and gathered a few local souvenirs for Wylan—though she had no clue if she'd see him again. In most shops, as she tried to pay, shopkeepers refused.

"Attendants of the Eldians and their militia don't owe us anything," said one elderly owner, a wide smile on his face.

Relieved—Lexa hadn't given her much money to start with—she stuffed the souvenirs into her bag, worried they weren't an approved item.

Restaurants donated food to her, and clothing stores gave her warm gear for the trek north. Coats, gloves, boot coverings. "Is it that cold up there?" she asked one merchant, who snorted at her recruit boots and offered her a sturdier, thicker pair.

The shopkeeper laughed as Melaynia inspected the wool and rubber shoes. "Yes. Are you from the south?"

Melaynia grinned. "Busted. Is it that obvious?" Under her mask, her skin was tan, but of course the lady didn't see that.

"The weather in the Village Mountain Range can be harsh. With how our planet is inclined... best be prepared. I heard there's snow up there already."

"Snow!" Melaynia recalled the odd, icy, white substance from when she ventured into the Forbidden Side.

On her way out of town, she passed fishermen lounging on docks, the modern Fashion Factories, and the forests that crawled with mystery animals. And though she was still smiling... the loneliness settled in once more.