As Miro and Shinon headed towards the factory, Miro suggested they continue their exploration of Haven’s Refuge, to which Shinon agreed. The guards of the city, who were once intimidating, now felt strangely welcoming towards Shinon in Miro’s presence.

Shinon couldn’t help but wonder about Miro’s true identity as the guards seemed to respect him more than the Masterbuilder, which felt strange because Miro was just an assistant unless he wasn’t.

Also, Miro’s ability to appear out of nowhere and defuse a potentially dangerous situation with the guards left an impression on Shinon. By then, Shinon wanted to know more about Miro than the city.

Despite his curiosity, he decided to tread carefully, realising that Miro was not someone to be underestimated and could turn hostile towards him if he thought something was amiss.

"Thanks for stepping in back there," Shinon finally said, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had settled between them. "I appreciate your help."

"No need to thank me," Miro offered a casual smile in response. "Just a bit of right timing, that’s all. Besides, I knew the guards have a habit of picking on newcomers, so I thought it’d be wise to keep an eye on you."

Without using any of his abilities, Shinon knew that was a lie. Miro was watching him, but it wasn’t out of concern like he said. It was more likely that something about him had irked Miro, so he followed him.

But Shinon didn’t disclose his thoughts and continued their conversation, wanting to know more about the person he was dealing with.

"You seemed to know your way around the city pretty well," Shinon said. "Have you lived here for long?"

"Not originally, no," Miro chuckled softly, his eyes scanning the city’s surroundings. "Like you, I was once a newcomer to Haven’s Refuge. But I’ve been here long enough to get the lay of the land."

As they walked, Miro shared snippets of his own experiences, offering glimpses into life’s challenges in the city. He spoke of the delicate balance between compliance and defiance, the unspoken rules that governed interactions, and the hidden currents beneath the city’s surface.

Shinon listened attentively, absorbing every word. It was clear that Haven’s Refuge was a place where survival often came at a steep price, where residents had learned to adapt to the Eclipse’s presence, even if they didn’t view them as saviours.

It was because they didn’t have a choice but to obey. Or else they’d be thrown out of the city, and well... the slums outside weren’t meant for everybody to live.

As they turned a corner, Shinon couldn’t help but notice the array of shops lining the street. People went about their daily routines unaffected by the world’s grim realities.

It contrasted the post-apocalyptic wasteland he had traversed after arriving in this strange version of Earth.

"Life here seems... almost normal," Shinon remarked.

"Indeed, it does. Despite how everyone views them, the Eclipse has brought stability and prosperity to the region, and many residents have learned to adapt to their ways," Miro nodded in agreement. "It’s a shaky balance, but it’s what keeps this place running."

As they continued their walk, Shinon’s retinal map flashed the mysterious icon he had been tracking.

As much as he wanted to go and check the thing out, there were more guards posted around there than before, and Miro didn’t wish to have another confrontation, so they headed in the opposite direction.

As they continued on, Miro introduced Shinon to a diverse cast of characters—residents with their own stories and motivations.

Some were open about their struggles, while others remained guarded, proof of the city’s complex relationships. But more or less, everyone there had been as welcoming as the lady Shinon meant before.

As the day wore on, Shinon felt a growing connection with Miro. They shared stories, jokes, and observations, but it wasn’t a bond of friendship. It was more like Shinon was using Miro to get as much information as possible about the city.

At one point, Shinon’s retinal map flashed the icon more intensely, causing a flicker of curiosity to cross his face. He discreetly checked the map’s display, and the next moment, the icon disappeared.

Shinon was confused about what happened, but before he could put his mind to it, Miro tapped on his shoulder, distracting him.

"Hungry?" he asked, gesturing toward a food vendor.

"Sure, why not?" Shinon said as he realised that he hadn’t eaten since morning. Even the bread the lady had offered him was spoilt during the confrontation, so Shinon didn’t have anything.

He welcomed the idea of a meal and thought it would be a chance to take a break from their exploration and think about the icon and its significance.

They joined the queue at the food stall, where a friendly vendor served them a steaming bowl of savoury stew. The aroma alone was enough to make Shinon’s stomach growl with anticipation.

They found an empty bench and sat down, savouring the hearty meal. Between bites, Shinon couldn’t help but notice how everyone felt happier than in any other settlement he had seen.

He got so lost in his thoughts that he began thinking positively about the Eclipse. After all, whatever they were doing was for the survival of their people.

But when Shinon remembered what Eclipse had done to others, he quickly pushed the positive thoughts out of his head. He wasn’t there to question the morality of the situation before him but to learn more about his father.

As they ate, Miro’s gaze lingered on Shinon, his eyes holding a hint of curiosity. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"If you ever have questions or need help with anything, don’t hesitate to ask," Miro mumbled between gulps. "Haven’s Refuge can be a bit too much sometimes, but then again, every place has a unique charm to it, and enigma is what makes this city special."

Shinon appreciated the offer but didn’t say anything. Miro let Shinon have his silence as the sun took a deep dive out of the sky, and it was time to return.