Chapter 21: Time to Tell Talon.

The morning sun cast a warm, golden glow across Green Arbor, spilling over the training grounds where Talon was leading a group of ADF members through a grueling drill. His commands cut through the morning air with sharp precision, each order followed by the echo of boots striking dirt. When Ava approached, Talon’s eyes shifted to her, picking up instantly on her somber expression. Signaling the trainees to break, he strode over, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Blondie," he greeted, a flicker of concern in his eyes. "What’s going on?"

“We need to talk,” she replied, her voice steady but carrying a weight that wasn’t lost on him.

He gave a brief nod, and they walked a little way from the grounds, finding a spot where a line of old trees offered both shade and privacy. Birds chirped from the branches above, but the peace of the morning seemed to sharpen the tension in the air between them.

“What’s up?” Talon asked, his voice low.

Ava took a deep breath. “It’s about your mother.”

Talon’s face remained composed, but a shadow crossed his eyes. “What about her?”

Ava met his gaze, holding it firmly. “Lucas and I have been working with Echo, pulling together what information we could find. And… we’ve finally got a lead on where she was last seen.”

Talon’s jaw clenched slightly, but his eyes didn’t leave hers. “Where?”

“It’s the name of the town you was given, Dust Haven!, it's a town by the sea,” Ava said carefully. “It used to be a fishing community, but that was before things went dark. Now it’s a pirate stronghold—a place run by syndicates and bandits. It’s dangerous, Talon, even for us.”

He nodded slowly, processing her words. Ava could see the muscle in his jaw tighten, a familiar sign that he was holding back emotions, keeping them locked behind a wall of stoic resolve. “And you think she’s there?”

“We’re not certain,” Ava admitted. “But it’s the closest lead we’ve ever had. There’s a chance, Talon. It might finally give you some answers—even if it just confirms whether she’s alive or… gone.” Her words softened, carrying the weight of what they both knew but rarely spoke of.

He glanced away, the quietness of the moment giving him space to let his thoughts drift back. “It’s been so long, Ava… I was just a kid, four years old. I don’t even remember her face clearly. Just pieces—a smile, her voice.” He gave a short, humorless laugh. “Sometimes, I wonder if I even remember her at all, or if it’s just something I made up.”

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Ava reached out, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, her touch steady. “That’s exactly why we’re doing this, Talon. You deserve to know the truth, whatever it might be. And whatever we find, I’ll be there with you.”

He met her gaze again, and she could see the flash of resolve in his eyes—a quiet determination that went beyond words. “When do we leave?”

“Lucas is finalizing the last details,” Ava replied. “We’ll head out soon. But I needed to make sure you’re ready. This isn’t going to be easy, Talon.”

His expression softened slightly, though his voice remained resolute. “I’ve got to know, Ava. No matter what it takes.”

Just then, Lucas approached, carrying a bundle of maps and documents. He glanced between them, catching the shift in the air and understanding at once. “So, I take it he’s filled in?”

Ava nodded. “Yeah, he’s in.”

Lucas smiled, a hint of reassurance. “Good to have you on board, Talon. Echo’s been a huge help, giving us a better understanding of the town’s layout—well, as much as anyone could know about Dust Haven.”

Talon shrugged, muttering, “The AI still gives me the creeps, but… I’ll admit he’s useful.”

Lucas chuckled, patting Talon’s shoulder. “Good, because he’s very fond of you. Think of it as having another team member.”

Ava grinned. “See? Even AI can tolerate you, Talon. Must be all your charm.”

He shot her a mock glare. “Yeah, right.”

As they walked back, Lucas’s tone shifted to a more serious note. “Look, we’re going into a place where Sentinel gear isn’t welcome and trust is a rare thing. We need to blend in, move quietly, and be ready for whatever this place throws at us. It’s not like anything we’ve handled here at Green Arbor.”

Ava nodded, her expression growing thoughtful. “We’ll keep a low profile. This isn’t about making a statement or winning a fight—it’s about getting answers.”

Lucas looked over at her, then at Talon. “What about Callie? She’s made a lot of progress, but Dust Haven… It’s a whole different world.”

Ava paused, considering his question. “I’m leaving her here. This is beyond anything she’s prepared for right now. She needs more time to train, to build herself up. This could be dangerous, even for us.”

Talon nodded in agreement, his face resolute. “It’s the right call.”

Lucas’s gaze softened, his smile faint but genuine as he nodded back at her decision. “That’s probably for the best. But it’s good, too, for Echo to have someone like Callie around. It’s been giving both of them a purpose, a way to learn and share. She’s as loyal to him as he is to her.”

Ava nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, I think they both need that. And Callie will be alright here.”

They walked in silence for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Ava glanced at Talon, her expression serious yet tinged with hope. “No matter what we find, you’ll know the truth, Talon. And that’s worth the journey.”

A small smile flickered across Talon’s face as he looked at her. “Yeah. I guess we’ll see what the past holds.”

The three of them made their way back to the training grounds, the weight of the upcoming mission settling over them. Dust Haven represented a challenge, a step into the unknown, but together, they knew they were ready for whatever lay ahead.