Rhea Alvarez paced through the bustling streets of Hargeon City, her senses heightened by the salty tang of the sea breeze. The port city, known for its beautiful coastal views and the reputable Blue Pegasus guild, seemed a world apart from the chaotic, political heart of Fiore she had just fled. After everything that had transpired in Crocus and Era, this was exactly what she and Lector needed. As she walked, her eyes scanned the unfamiliar faces, making mental notes of her surroundings.
Lector hovered just above her, flapping his tiny wings, his usual arrogant demeanor subdued by the weight of their circumstances. "It was about time we change the scenery..." he stated, his sharp tone betraying concern more than criticism.
Rhea didn’t answer immediately, her mind heavy with the memories of her last days in Crocus. Ever since Major Armin’s refusal to provide any assistance, she had felt a festering bitterness toward the Rune Knights. She had risked her life countless times for them, only to be turned away when she needed them the most. The Rune Knights weren’t what she thought they were, or rather, she hoped they weren't what she assumed them to be. That realization stung deeply, especially after discovering her father’s connection to the Stellar Resistance and everything she had recently learned about the forces at play in Fiore.
“Armin's an idiot. They all are,” she finally muttered, her hand tightening around the hilt of her dagger, God Hunter. “He’s too blind to see the gravity of the situation. He doesn't care about justice—none of them do. Not for people like me.”