Sables had thick, wine-purple locs, tied up in the back with a black band. A single loc draped rebelliously over his forehead, adorned with a silver cuff. Despite his young age, an air of authority emanated from him, forged from constant leadership pressure. His cape, once vibrant, was now faded by time and circumstance. It hung to his waist, with frayed edges that told stories of struggle. Beneath it, grey cargo pants had lightened at the knees and seams. A compression shirt hugged his torso, tucked and secured by a silver belt.

Explaining his situation, his voice was undercut with urgency. The Iota Sector had recently emerged, splitting from the hostile Theta Sector when a large group that sought peace managed to claim a sliver of land, barely qualifying them as a new sector. Now, they existed as little more than a struggling settlement, constantly fighting against being swallowed by their former citizens who branded them as traitors. Their resources stretched dangerously thin, their defeat closing in day by day.

The situation had deteriorated rapidly. An unexpected surge of power had strengthened the Theta Sector, allowing them to push even more against Iota's borders. The frontier militia are being eliminated, their dwindling numbers a countdown to extinction. In desperation, Sables had ventured out to seek help, a journey that led him to the students.

"So, will you help us?" Sables asked, his eyes vulnerable beneath his leadership.

Nera interrupted. "We can't just go fight the Theta Sector! Saviors...yes. But Savior students?! No way! We have no authority to fight for you." Her hands gestured emphatically. "Not to mention what out principal may do if she finds out. We could all be expelled and disposed of."

"Please!" Desperation cracked Sables's voice. "At least come and see for yourselves. Maybe you'll change your mind." His fist tightened imperceptibly at his side, a sign of his internal struggle.

"Let's check out the situation. They deserve that much," Jai stated, his tone compassionate.

With nothing better to do, they all agreed to Sables' suggestion. They journeyed to the Iota Sector, which was a place defined by need rather than want. Buildings served multiple purposes—storage for rations and shelter for habitants. A modest farm was struggling against the elements, attempting to provide food in the absence of established trade with other sectors. Standing in contrast to the other structures around, a glass tower stood tall, molded like a blooming flower. The one and only thing built since their independence, serving as a beacon of hope amid deprivation.

Sables looked up at the spectacle, a momentary softening around his eyes. "Our destination is up there, but first, I want to show you something." The weight in his voice carried significance.

The three students nodded, catching the change in his tone. Guided just left of the small sector, where they descended into a trench deep enough to completely shield them from view. As they progressed down the tunnel, the unmistakable sound of gunfire grew louder, echoing through the confined space. The sound pressed against their eardrums, a physical presence guiding them forward until they reached the concentration of activity.

A small militia of residents manned the frontier of the Border Alley with grim determination etched into their faces. The few medics available tended to the wounded, their movements tinged with fatigue. Men wrapped in bloodstained bandages fought internal battles to maintain composure, their bodies flinching at each gunshot. Tremors ran through their hands, a physical manifestation of trauma that refused to subside. The scene unfolded before the students in unforgiving clarity—a disgraceful reality permitted to exist in the city they called home.

Jai's fists clenched, anger building within him like pressure within a sealed container just waiting to pop. Directly across from their position, residents of the Theta Sector fired indiscriminately at the trench edges, hoping to hit someone. Random attempts to cross the divide halted the constant barrage, their dense population making the attack feel endless. Armed only with basic firearms and lead bullets, the Iotas' supplies of ammunition and men visibly diminished with each passing minute.

"Look there, another lunatic looking to take some ground," Sables stated, pointing with a steady hand.

They watched as one of Sables' men took careful aim and fired. The advancing citizen crumpled instantly, his body joining the others scattered across the border—human markers of an invisible line drawn by blood and ideology.

"Was that necessary?" Kalla asked, her eyes unable to leave the fallen figure.

"Trust me, you don't want to find out what he would have done, had he made it past us." Sables's response held no doubts, only certainty born of experience.

Deeper into the tunnels, Sables led them toward his subordinates, the narrow passages occasionally opening into wider chambers where fighters took brief breaks.

"Attention!" Sables commanded.

The effect was immediate. Every head turned, bodies instinctively coming close, creating a dense circle around Sables. The collective focus was a moment of individual worry and unified attention.

"My friends! Our fight will soon be over!" Sables announced, stepping aside to present the students who carried hope. "Behold, our Saviors!"

A brief silence followed as their gazes weighed with desperate analysis. Recognition dawned, spreading from face to face until a cheer erupted, the sound bouncing off the tunnel walls. Tears tracked clean lines down dirt-smudged faces, hope overwhelming men who had long forgotten it.

"You did it, commander! Those are Saviors, am I right?!" A man exclaimed, his voice breaking with emotion.

Sables nodded, turning to Jai with expectation clear in his stance.

"You don't need to say much. Just please, say something to give them hope." The request was simple but laden with responsibility.

Jai glanced back at Nera and Kalla, who offered only unhelpful shrugs. Drawing a deep breath, he stepped forward, accepting the responsibility.

"We're only students, but... we will do whatever it is we can to help. You have my word." His voice carried truth, not false promise.

Contrary to his expectations, the response intensified, cheers growing louder than before.

"Sables, don't they care even a little bit that we're just students? Kids even?" Jai's confusion evident.

Sables chuckled, the sound finally becoming calm amid the backdrop of conflict. "Are you kidding me? Anyone willing to help at all would have given them some hope. You killed it...Thanks..." Gratitude softened his features momentarily.

"Don't mention it," Jai muttered, his perception of what it meant to be a Savior shifting.

"Now then, let's get going to HQ," Sables turned to address his men. "I leave it to you boys, just hold out a little while longer!"

"Yes sir!" They unitingly responded.

The group retraced their steps through the tunnels en route to the glass tower. Sables led them through a botanical garden that surrounded the glass tower. A tapestry of flowers complemented each other, their colors almost shocking in their vibrance. Arcs lined the path, serving as guides for climbing vines that wove around them. At the circular center, halfway to the tower, was a small pond where coyfish moved in circles, their scales flashing gold beneath the water's surface.

"It's so beautiful! How are you managing to grow these flowers when winter is so close?" Kalla's asked, her fingers reaching out to touch a delicate petal.

"The high temperature from the Theta Sector keeps it warm enough here for things to grow. Pretty ironic, don't you think?" Sables said with a smile. "Although that isn't the only reason."

Before he could elaborate, movement erupted from the bushes as four children ambushed Sables from all directions. Their coordinated attack, executed with childish confidence, failed as Sables sidestepped them all. The children collided into each other, tumbling into a tangle of limbs and groans.

"Nice one you guys. That was the closest you've gotten yet." Sables's voice carried genuine encouragement.

A young boy rubbed his head, wincing slightly. "Aw man, I thought we had you for sure that time." Frustration warred on his small face.

Another child scrambled to his feet. "Yeah! You were distracted, so what gives?"

Sables laughed without restraint. "I'm just better!"

Kalla's chuckle joined his, her earlier tension visibly easing.

"Who are these little guys?" Nera asked, her head tilted with curiosity.

"Why I'm glad you asked... front and center!" Sables commanded.

The children immediately arranged themselves in a line, their posture shifting in practiced formality. Each announcing their name with clarity and pride.

"Kai!" The first child stood, his chin tilted upward.

"Theo!" The second chubby one bounced slightly on his toes, unable to contain his energy.

"Luna!" The oldest girl among them, smoothing her dress with quick fingers.

"Nester!" The cutest of the lineup, her voice compensating in volume what she lacked in height.

Sables clapped, his face alight. "These are the kids responsible for the health of these flowers. The future of this sector, which I would risk my entire life protecting." His tone conveying absolute seriousness.

"I respect that," Jai stated, his gaze moving thoughtfully across the children's faces. "It's nice to meet you four."

Kai looked up at Sables, skeptical about the students. "These are the guys you found to help us? They look kind of... weak."

The boy was short and thin from malnutrition. His black skin had ashy patches at the joints, evidence of limited access to proper healthcare and hygiene. His hair was closely cropped, a practical rather than aesthetic choice. Dressed in oversized shorts and a t-shirt obtained through donation, they hung loosely to the collar and waist.

"What did you say, ya brat?!" Jai responded sharply, lunging forward only to be restrained by Kalla.

"Kai! We talked about this!" Sables's reminded. "These are Saviors, so treat them with respect."

"Saviors?" Kai approached, his small face lifted high to meet Jai's eyes. "Listen up! We don't need your help! One day I'm gonna be even stronger than Sables! Then I'll become my own Savior! You hear me?"

Without waiting for a response, he turned sharply. "Let's go guys."

The children dispersed, calling goodbye to Sables.

"What was that all about?" Nera asked, her brow furrowed.

Sables continued to stare at the spot where the children had disappeared, worry clouding his eyes. "I see myself in that kid. We both share the pain of losing our family to the Theta Sector. I managed to save him from its grasp in hopes of leading him down a better path. But it seems he's come to hate Saviors for never coming to save him."

Jai lowered his head, his earlier annoyance turning to sorrow as he empathized with the child's reality. The weight of Kai's experience settled across his shoulders like a physical burden.

"I'm sorry. If only I had been here sooner. I could have saved the two of you from that pain." The words felt inadequate even as he spoke them.

Sables smiled, the expression genuine despite its fragility. "Thanks, but don't worry about me. I've come to peace with my past. The only thing that drives me forward now is to see the Iota Sector thrive." Conviction strengthening his voice.

Behind them, Kalla wiped at tears that had gathered unexpectedly, moved by the raw ambition and emotion.

"How noble of you, Sables," Nera acknowledged, respect evident in her tone. "But the extent of what we can do is still unknown."

"I understand, so let's get you guys up to the boss. He'll take it from there." Sables gestured toward the tower.

"Lead the way," Jai requested, determined to help in any way he can.

They completed the path and approached the remarkable structure, where thick, leaf-shaped glass served as stairs spiraling upward. Each step whistling under intensifying wind. The structure vibrated beneath their feet—beautiful but treacherous. From a distance, the ascent would appear graceful, but any climbers felt crippling anxiety. Reaching the top, the students leapt gratefully onto the solid floor of the room inside.

Within, a group of officials were engaged in intense negotiation. Maps and documents covered available surfaces, the future of the sector being plotted in desperate mathematics and strategy. Voss, the boss of the organization and the so-called Mayor of the Iota Sector, acknowledged their arrival.