With Borin out scavenging and Pip tinkering in her workshop Aelin decided to take a rest in Victor’s core room. Its glow, casting a warm light over the central chamber, helped her relax. Aelin took a seat near Victor's core, sharpening her arrows with a practiced hand, her expression thoughtful. Victor, sensing her quiet introspection, decided to reach out.

  “Aelin,” he said through his speakers, his voice calm and measured. “You’ve been quiet since we got back. Is something on your mind?”

  Aelin looked up, her sharp eyes meeting the glowing gaze of the core. She hesitated for a moment, then set down her arrow and leaned back against the wall. “Just thinking about the world out there,” she said. “How much it’s changed—and how much it hasn’t.”

  Victor’s core pulsed with curiosity. “What do you mean?”

  Aelin sighed, her gaze drifting to the ceiling as if she could see through it to the sky above. “The world’s always been a hard place, Victor. Goblins, bandits, guilds like the Stormhammer—they’ve always been around, preying on the weak. But it wasn’t always like this. There used to be more… balance. More good people willing to stand up for what’s right.”

  She paused, her fingers tracing the edge of her bow. “I grew up in a small village, far from here. It was peaceful, for a time. We had our troubles, sure, but we looked out for each other. Then the goblins came. They burned everything—homes, crops, even the people who couldn’t run fast enough. I was just a kid, but I’ll never forget the sound of their laughter as they destroyed everything I loved.”

  Victor’s core dimmed slightly, a sign of his empathy. “I’m sorry, Aelin. That’s… a heavy burden to carry.”

  Aelin nodded, her expression hardening. “It is. But it’s also why I fight. I couldn’t save my village, but I can make sure no one else has to go through what I did. That’s why I joined up with you. You’re different, Victor. You’re not just looking out for yourself—you’re trying to protect people. That’s rare in this world.”

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  Victor’s core pulsed softly, a warm glow spreading through the chamber. “I don’t remember much about who I was before this,” he said. “But I do know that I want to make a difference. To protect the people who can’t protect themselves. And I’m glad to have allies like you by my side.”

  Aelin smiled faintly, a rare expression for her. “You’re not so bad yourself, for a dungeon core. But don’t let it go to your head.”

  Victor chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. “Noted. But tell me more about the world. What else should I know?”

  Aelin leaned forward, her expression serious. “The world’s divided, Victor. There are the cities, ruled by the guilds and the wealthy. They’ve got walls, soldiers, and enough resources to keep themselves safe. But outside those walls? It’s chaos. Goblins, bandits, and worse. The strong prey on the weak, and the weak either die or become strong themselves.”

  She paused, her eyes narrowing. “And then there’s the Stormhammer Guild. They’re not just another guild—they’re a force. They’ve got money, power, and no qualms about using both to get what they want. If they’ve got their sights set on you, they won’t stop until they’ve either taken you apart or turned you into one of their weapons.”

  Victor’s core pulsed with determination. “Then we’ll have to make sure they can’t do either.”

  Aelin nodded, her expression grim. “We will. But it won’t be easy. They’ve got resources we can’t even imagine, and they’re not afraid to use them. We’ll need to be smarter, faster, and stronger if we’re going to survive.”

  Victor’s core glowed brighter, a sign of his resolve. “Then that’s what we’ll do. We’ll keep improving, keep adapting. And we’ll make sure that anyone who comes after us regrets it.”

  Aelin smiled again, this time with a hint of pride. “That’s the spirit. But remember, Victor—this world doesn’t give second chances. We’ve got to be ready for anything.”

  As the two sat in silence, the weight of Aelin’s words hung in the air. The world was a harsh and unforgiving place, but with allies like Aelin, Borin, and Pip by his side, Victor knew they had a fighting chance. And for now, that was enough.