Chapter 29: Those Who Still Fight.

Harpya put his arm under Isz's back, practically carrying him as the ship's bridge lowered with a metallic creak.

The hull was clean, reinforced, and the side structures had polished copper details. It was evident: this ship was far more advanced than anything Vein had ever had. Volny truly breathed technology.

When the two stepped onto the bridge, a familiar voice exploded in surprise:

"My God... is this for real? You're actually alive?!"

Edward appeared on the upper deck, laughing incredulously as he descended the steps.

Edward: "I thought I'd hallucinated when I received your message!"

Harpya let out an almost laughing sigh.

Harpya: — It seems so. And you? How did you escape?

Edward leaned against the railing, his smile fading slightly.

Edward: — After... I heard about Kana... his voice faltered. I already had plans to come to Volny. Here, the naval trade really pays well, you know? Ships like this one...

He gave two proud pats to the metal.

Edward: — Change a man's life.

The smile returned to his face, but when his eyes landed on Isz, his expression hardened.

Edward: — And him? Is he... really alive?

Harpya: "It is. But it went through the kind of thing no one should go through. I'll tell you on the way."

Edward nodded, serious, and gestured for them to board. They entered the main corridor, the light wood contrasting with the dark metal of the hull.

As they walked, the two talked about Vein, or what remained of it.

"I passed by the old port when I came to get you," Edward said.

The city was empty. With an absurd red fog covering everything."

He frowned, the memory clearly bothering him.

"I have no idea what happened, but... several buildings were in ruins. And I didn't see anyone. Not soldiers. Not civilians. It seemed like no one had lived there for a long time."

Harpya paused for a moment in the corridor, her fist clenched at her side.

Isz just lowered her eyes.

A heavy silence fell between them.

Vein had fallen. And that was the definitive end.

Edward let out a short laugh:

"You're going to some party and you didn't tell me? You're all dressed up and even wearing cologne."

Harpya crossed her arms, with that ironic air that tried to hide her tiredness: "Not at all. I just found these clothes in the suitcases. And I took off all the military identification."

She glanced sideways at Isz.

Harpya: "It was better this way."

Edward nodded, understanding more than he let on.

"It's good to have familiar faces around." His smile faded slightly. "The last one I saw was Baron... but it's been a while since I've seen him."

Harpya frowned, genuinely surprised.

"Baron? I never... never imagined he'd leave Vein."

— That's right. Edward sighed. — After that chaos, nobody was thinking very straight.

He leaned on the railing, looking at the two of them.

Edward: — And the others? The old Scouts? Why did all this happen?

There was a mixture of disbelief and fear in his voice. — You were one of them, Harpya. If anyone knows...

Harpya lowered her eyes, taking a deep breath; there was no simple answer.

Harpya: — I don't know either. It's like the city... was cursed overnight.

His gaze hardened. — They sent Hindal and me into an ambush. Out of nowhere. They said it was a reconnaissance mission. But it was a trap.

His voice almost failed. Harpya: — Hindal died right there.

A burning silence filled the air.

Cerberus, who had been walking alongside, stopped a little behind them.

Edward looked away out of respect, and then asked hesitantly:

"And... Alphonse?"
His voice lowered. "He was one of the last Knights I took on the ship... the day the chaos began. I never heard from him again."

Harpya shook his head slowly.

"I don't know."
A bitterness crept through his tone.

Harpya: "The church... betrayed its own people. And the Knights too. Nothing is left."

He looked at Isz, then at Edward.

Harpya: "In the end, only we remain. The last things left of Vein."

The ship rocked gently, as if recognizing the weight of those words.

Edward, sensing the heavy atmosphere hanging over the deck, raised his eyebrows and tried to break the silence with a mischievous smile:

"—Okay... changing the subject here... what's your relationship with the princess?"

He laughed, crossing his arms. "—Because look... I've never seen her give direct orders to anyone. And to send an entire ship because of you... there must be a story there."

Harpya sighed slightly, looking away at the sea.

"—Nothing much. Just... an old acquaintance."

Edward's smile widened even more.

"—A very beautiful old acquaintance, I might add."

He nudged Harpya lightly. "—No wonder you're so well-dressed and smelling so good, huh?"

Harpya ended up letting out a discreet but genuine smile.

That light provocation helped to alleviate the weight he had carried since Vein.

The journey continued. Long, peaceful... and different.

The sea seemed calmer as they approached Volny, as if the ocean itself knew they were going to a safe place.

As the sun began to set, they finally sighted the coast.

And Harpya froze for a moment.

The sun there was more radiant, almost golden.

The port city was alive, full of people, machines, and structures he had never seen functioning so well.

It was... modern. Intelligent. Pulsating.

He remembered that when he was in Volny months ago, he only knew the inland cities, those devastated by the war. He had never seen the capital, nor the main port.

And for the first time in a long time, he smiled with relief.

"We're arriving," said Edward, proudly.

"If you want to go to the capital, Sarena, just climb that hill over there. From there you can see the whole city."

The ship docked. The ramp lowered.

Edward looked at Isz, still unconscious.

"Do you need help carrying him?"

Harpya lifted Isz onto his back as if he were part of himself.

"No. Thank you for everything... for getting us out of there."

Edward nodded sincerely.

Edward: "Do this: when you see the princess, send her my regards... and congratulate her on her 21st birthday."

He winked. "She must be happy to know you're alive."

Harpya replied: "I'll pass on the message."

They said goodbye, and Harpya disembarked from the ship with Cerbero beside him.

The air in Volny was different. Warm. Clean. Alive.

They climbed the indicated small hill.

Harpya carefully supported Isz under the shade of a leafy tree.

And then...

He saw Sarena.

The capital spread before him like a dream: wide streets, advanced technology, clean buildings, smiling people... Life. Freedom. Peace.

For a moment, Harpya couldn't breathe.

Then, he let out a soft, almost childlike laugh.

"Finally we're free, friend..." he said, looking at Isz, still unconscious.

A thread of emotion vibrated in his voice. "And now... now we need to live."

He took Isz by the arm, firm and determined.

With Cerberus walking beside him, they descended the hill towards the main castle.

Harpya's gaze was hopeful, relieved.

The problems that had existed before were over.

And, for the first time in a long time, the future seemed possible.