Terms of the Unbroken
The dust from the crash had barely settled when Blaze stepped forward.
Behind him, the wreckage of the vehicle still smoked, twisted metal creaking under the strain of impact. Ryze stood a few steps back, her breathing uneven, her grip tight around her rifle even though she knew it wouldn't make a difference.
Ahead—
Two Havocs.
Both towering.
Both silent.
Both watching.
Blaze walked toward them without hesitation, his sword loosely held in one hand, dragging slightly against the ground as he moved. There was no urgency in his steps. No tension in his posture.
Just calm.
Too calm.
Ryze's heart pounded.
What is he doing…
The two raid bosses reacted.
Their stances shifted almost instantly.
Not aggressive—
But cautious.
The first Havoc tightened its grip on its massive blade—
Not to strike…
But as if bracing.
The second adjusted its footing—
Lower.
Grounded.
Ready—
But not attacking.
They were watching him.
Studying him.
And that alone made Ryze uneasy.
Blaze continued walking.
Closer.
Closer.
Until—
He stopped.
Only a few steps away.
Ryze's breath caught.
This was it.
This was where it would happen.
A clash between monsters.
Her grip tightened—
Her eyes locked—
Waiting.
Expecting—
Blaze raised his hand.
And waved.
Then—
He let go of his sword.
It dropped to the ground with a dull metallic sound.
Ryze's eyes widened.
What the hell is he thinking?!
Blaze lifted his empty hands slightly, palms open.
A silent invitation.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
The Havocs didn't move.
Didn't attack.
They just stared.
Then—
One of them spoke.
Low.
Slow.
"…That presence…"
The other turned slightly toward it.
"…You feel it too."
A pause.
Heavy.
"…Impossible."
Ryze frowned.
What…?
The ground trembled softly as they stepped forward.
Slow.
Measured.
Not as hunters—
But as something else.
They stopped in front of him.
Towering.
Weapons ready.
But unmoving.
Blaze met their gaze.
Unshaken.
"Bosses…" he said calmly.
Then tilted his head slightly.
"…No."
"Havoc."
"The Raid Bosses."
The first Havoc shifted.
"You stand before us without fear."
A pause.
"…Or without sanity."
Blaze gave a small shrug.
"My mind's fine."
A faint smirk.
"…Just a little broken."
"Silence."
The second Havoc stepped forward slightly—
But it didn't strike.
Not yet.
"You do not have the authority to stand here as equal."
Blaze didn't react.
Didn't flinch.
Instead—
He exhaled slowly.
"And here I thought…"
"…I was talking to something that understood strength."
A sharp metallic sound echoed as the aggressive Havoc's grip tightened—
Ready.
This time—
It almost moved.
But—
The other Havoc raised its arm.
Stopping it.
Silence fell again.
Heavier now.
Then—
The calmer Havoc spoke.
"…Long ago…"
Its voice dragged, like pulling something from deep memory.
"…something like you stood here."
Ryze froze.
Her eyes snapped to Blaze.
Blaze didn't react.
Didn't speak.
"…It did not talk."
The Havoc continued.
"…It did not hesitate."
A pause.
"…It destroyed everything."
The air grew heavier.
Even breathing felt harder.
The second Havoc's voice lowered.
"…When you entered our territory…"
"…we felt it."
"…Miles away."
Both of them stared at Blaze now.
Not as enemies—
But as something they couldn't define.
"You are not ordinary."
"…What are you?"
Blaze looked at them.
For a moment—
Nothing.
Then—
A quiet exhale.
"…Believe me."
"…I wish I knew."
Silence returned.
But it wasn't hostile.
Not yet.
Blaze shifted slightly.
"…So."
"Let's keep this simple."
The Havocs didn't interrupt.
"I'm not here to conquer your territory."
He gestured behind him.
"…Just passing through."
Another pause.
Then—
"…Non-aggression."
"I leave your territory."
"Immediately."
The two Havocs exchanged a look.
The aggressive Havoc let out a low sound.
The aggressive Havoc's grip tightened.
"…We should decline."
Its voice dropped, heavier now.
"And end you here."
Ryze tensed.
Her fingers instinctively tightened around her rifle.
This was it—
But it didn't move.
Didn't strike.
The other Havoc raised its arm slightly.
Stopping it.
Silence stretched.
Then—
"This is no longer bound by SkyRealm rules," the calmer Havoc said.
Its voice was quieter.
Less rigid.
More… certain.
"We are no longer bound to obey."
A pause.
The wind passed through the broken terrain.
"…We are free."
The words didn't sound like a declaration.
They sounded like something realized.
Something earned.
The aggressive Havoc shifted slightly.
"…Then we choose."
Not hesitation—
Decision.
Its gaze locked back onto Blaze.
"If we fight you…"
A pause.
"…this land will not remain as it is."
The calmer Havoc continued:
"You do not walk like one who seeks conquest or honor"
"…You are passing."
Blaze didn't deny it.
Another silence.
Heavier now.
Then—
"We do not kill those who walk with purpose."
A final glance passed between them.
Unspoken.
Understood.
"…We accept."
Blaze gave a small nod.
"Good."
"We will escort you," they continued.
"…beyond our territory."
Blaze smiled faintly.
"…That sounds fair."
Ryze stood frozen.
What the hell are they even talking about…
Her mind struggled to process everything.
Raid bosses—
Talking?
Negotiating?
Agreeing?
Then—
She realized—
They were walking toward her.
"…Wait—WHAT?!"
Panic hit instantly.
Their massive forms moved closer, their armor scarred, their presence overwhelming.
They were still monsters.
Still the same beings that nearly killed them.
Ryze didn't think.
She ran forward.
Grabbed Blaze by the arm—
And pulled him back.
"Blaze!"
Her voice was sharp.
"What is going on?!"
"Why are they here?!"
"Why are they not attacking?!"
Blaze glanced at her.
Unbothered.
"…Long story."
Ryze stared at him in disbelief.
"But right now," he continued, "I need you to help fix the vehicle."
"…What?"
"And where's Volt?"
"He's still unconscious," Ryze said quickly.
Blaze nodded.
"Get him up when you can."
"…We're leaving soon."
Ryze turned back toward the wreckage.
Her hands moved automatically, checking damage, pulling loose parts, trying to piece together what could still function.
But her mind—
Wasn't focused.
Not even close.
Because behind her—
Standing just a few meters away—
Were two raid bosses.
Waiting.
An hour passed.
The vehicle was barely functional.
But it would move.
That was enough.
Volt stirred.
A low groan escaped him as he slowly opened his eyes.
"…What…"
"…What's going on…"
Ryze turned.
"Volt!"
He blinked, trying to focus.
"…Ryze?"
Then—
He felt it.
A presence.
Slowly—
He turned his head.
And saw them.
The two Havocs stood nearby.
Silent.
Watching.
Volt stared.
Blank.
Unmoving.
"…Oh."
A pause.
"…I must be dreaming."
He closed his eyes again.
"…Wake me up later."