The darkened sky stretched out above them, the last remnants of daylight barely kissing the horizon as Ada and Vega slowed their pace.
The threat of pursuit was still fresh in their minds, but the forest around them had offered a temporary reprieve.
The dense trees and shadows provided them with a momentary escape, even if it was just for a brief rest.
Ada came to a stop, her breathing slightly heavy from their rapid flight, though she kept her posture steady.
She glanced around, her keen eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.
Satisfied that they were safe for the moment, she lowered her stance, allowing herself a rare moment of respite.
Vega, ever the vigilant one, stood a few steps behind, her expression thoughtful.
She didn't speak immediately, but Ada could feel the weight of her gaze on her.
The silence between them was not awkward but rather comfortable, though both of them knew this was only temporary.
"We should be safe here for now," Ada murmured, her voice low but steady. "But we can't stay too long. We need to keep moving."
Vega nodded, but her eyes never left Ada. "You know... it's strange," she said softly, her voice carrying a quiet vulnerability Ada wasn't used to hearing. "I've never been in a situation like this before. Always running. Always fighting."
Ada looked over at her, her brow furrowing.
She could see the exhaustion in Vega's eyes, the weight of everything they had been through settling deeper into her bones.
Vega wasn't the type to show weakness, but Ada knew her well enough to see when something was off.
"We've been through a lot already," Ada replied, her voice gentle despite the tense circumstances. "But we're still standing. We're still alive."
Vega let out a breath, her gaze drifting to the distant trees. "I know. It's just..." She hesitated, as if unsure of how to put her thoughts into words. "Sometimes it feels like we're just... fighting ghosts.
Chasing after something we can never really catch. You've seen the world the way it is now. Is it worth it? Is there even a future for us?"
The question hung in the air like a weight.
Ada could feel her heart tighten, the familiar pang of loss creeping up on her.
She had asked herself the same thing countless times. Was there still hope? Was there a point to everything they were doing?
Without speaking, she walked over to Vega, her steps slow and deliberate.
She placed a hand gently on Vega's shoulder, a simple gesture, but one that carried an unspoken promise.
"We fight because we still have something to fight for," Ada said, her voice firm but kind. "There's always a choice. We can either give up and let everything fall apart, or we can try to rebuild, even if it's just for a handful of people. Even if it's just for us."
Vega met her gaze, the weight of the words settling over her.
For a moment, the world felt still, as if time had slowed down just enough for both of them to process everything they had been through.
The battle, the losses, the uncertain future—it was all too much to bear at times.
But in that moment, Ada could see something flicker in Vega's eyes—a glimmer of understanding.
"I'm not sure what comes next," Vega said quietly. "But... I know I don't want to do it alone."
Ada's expression softened.
Without a word, she took a step closer, their proximity bringing a sense of shared warmth. It wasn't just the physical closeness, but the trust between them that filled the air.
"You won't have to," Ada said, her voice steady and reassuring.
Vega nodded, a small, relieved smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Then let's keep going. Together."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
The wind rustled the trees, and the quiet sounds of the forest filled the space between them. It was a fleeting moment of peace, but one they both needed more than anything.
They had no illusions about the challenges that lay ahead, but for now, they had each other. And that was enough.
Ada took a deep breath, her mind already shifting back to the next step in their journey.
There was still so much to be done, but now, with Vega by her side, the weight didn't seem quite so heavy.
"Let's get some rest, then," Ada said, her voice calm but resolute. "We'll move at dawn."
Vega nodded in agreement, her body sinking down to the ground as she leaned against the trunk of a nearby tree.
Ada followed suit, settling beside her, though she kept her senses alert.
The night was still young, and danger could come at any time.
But for now, they had the quiet of the night to themselves, a brief respite in a world that was anything but calm.
As the minutes passed, Ada's thoughts drifted, but she remained alert, aware of everything around them.
She couldn't afford to let her guard down completely, but for now, they had a few hours of relative peace.
Vega shifted slightly, her voice breaking the silence once more. "Ada..."
Ada turned her head, meeting Vega's eyes. "Hmm?"
"I'm glad I found you," Vega said quietly, her words soft but filled with sincerity. "I don't think I could have made it this far without you."
The words lingered between them, and Ada felt a small, unexpected warmth rise in her chest.
She didn't speak immediately, but the depth of her feelings was clear.
She wasn't sure where their journey would take them, but she knew one thing for certain: no matter what happened, they would face it together.