The tavern still smelled of spilled ale and burnt wood as Rez stepped over the wreckage of broken tables and shattered glass. The brawl had ended, leaving behind a mess that told the story of the chaos. A few patrons groaned from the corners, nursing bruises and cuts. Others had slipped away during the fight, vanishing into the dark streets of Cloud Pass.

Rez knelt by one of the unconscious thugs sprawled on the floor, rifling through his pockets with the precision of someone used to finding the hidden truth in unlikely places. His hand brushed against parchment, and he pulled it free—a rolled map, its edges frayed and stained with grease.

Unfurling the map on the nearest intact surface, Rez’s sharp eyes took in the crude markings: a layout of Cloud Pass, with several locations circled in bold red ink. "Supply depot... harbor... market square," he murmured, tracing the marks with a finger. Each spot was critical to the city's daily function.

“Find anything useful?”

The voice belonged to the burly tavernkeep. He limped over, carrying a battered broom as if it were a weapon. Despite his gruff appearance, there was a weariness in his eyes that hinted at too many nights like this one.

Rez held up the map. “The pirates are planning something big. These are strategic points—likely their targets.”

The tavernkeep grunted, his expression darkening. “Figures. Captain Foundry’s lot has been getting bolder by the day. You’re lucky they didn’t torch the whole place.”

“I doubt this is just about Cloud Pass,” Rez said, rolling the map back up. “This feels... calculated. They're after more than supplies.”

The tavernkeep leaned on his broom, considering this. “If anyone knows what’s going on, it’s the resistance. They’ve been keeping tabs on the pirates, but good luck finding them. They don’t exactly trust strangers.”

Rez arched an eyebrow. “And you happen to know where they are?”

The tavernkeep smirked. “Let’s just say I’ve patched up a few of their fighters after rough nights. Word is, they’ve got a hideout in the old aqueduct tunnels, near the east edge of town.”

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Rez nodded, tucking the map into his coat. “Thanks for the tip. I’ll take it from here.”

As he turned to leave, the tavernkeep called out, “Hey. Whatever you’re planning, don’t get yourself killed. Folks here don’t need another hero. They need someone who can actually finish what they start.”

The words stayed with Rez as he stepped into the cool night air. The streets were quiet now, the earlier commotion fading into uneasy calm. He adjusted the straps of his satchel, his fingers brushing against the vials and tools inside.

The aqueduct tunnels weren’t far, but they were notorious for their labyrinthine structure. Rez moved quickly, the map tucked safely away as he followed the faint trail of signs—an etched arrow on a stone wall, a piece of cloth tied to a rusted pipe.

The entrance to the tunnels was hidden behind a crumbling fountain, its once-grand sculpture worn smooth by time. Rez slipped inside, the air growing damp and heavy with the scent of moss and stagnant water.

Deeper into the tunnels, the faint hum of voices reached his ears. He slowed his pace, careful to stay out of sight as he approached. The voices became clearer, echoing off the stone walls.

“I’m telling you, we can’t keep fighting them like this. We need better weapons, more people—”

“And where do you propose we find either of those, Eren? The pirates have us cornered as it is!”

Rez stepped into the dim light of their meeting place, a cavernous chamber lit by flickering lanterns. The voices fell silent as the resistance fighters turned to face him, their hands reaching for weapons.

“I’m not here to fight,” Rez said, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. He pulled the map from his coat and held it out. “I have information you’ll want to see.”

The tension in the room was palpable as the fighters exchanged wary glances. Finally, a woman stepped forward—her fiery red hair pulled back in a tight braid, her sharp green eyes scanning Rez with suspicion.

“And why should we trust you?” she asked, her tone clipped.

“Because the pirates don’t trust me either,” Rez replied, his voice steady. “And I’d rather see them fail than watch this city fall apart.”

The woman studied him for a long moment before nodding. “I’m Mira. Leader of what’s left of the resistance. If you’re lying, you’ll regret it.”

Rez handed her the map. “I wouldn’t waste my time lying to you. We’ve got bigger problems to deal with.”

As Mira unrolled the map and began to study it, Rez felt the weight of their gazes on him. The resistance wasn’t much to look at—scrappy, under-equipped, and clearly running on fumes. But there was fire in their eyes, a determination that reminded him of why he had stayed in Cloud Pass.

“So,” Mira said, looking up from the map. “You’ve got our attention. Now, what’s your plan?”

Rez allowed himself a small smile. “Let’s start with making sure Captain Foundry doesn’t get what he’s after.”

The chamber erupted into murmurs, but Mira silenced them with a raised hand. “Alright, outsider. Let’s see if you’re as clever as you think you are.”

Rez felt the familiar surge of anticipation—the calm before the storm. Whatever came next, he was ready.