"You're really gonna leave me here," she says, voice low, like saying it aloud makes it real.
Alix turns to her, eyes gentle. He reaches out and rests a hand on her head, ruffling her hair slightly.
"For now," he says quietly. "I still have something I need to do. Something I can't bring you into."
Ruva's gaze drops. Her voice cracks just a little. "But what if you don't come back?"
"I will," Alix says, firm. "I promise you, Ruva. Once I'm done… I'll come get you."
She bites her lip, silent for a moment. Then—finally—she nods. Slowly.
Alix reaches into his coat and pulls something out: a small, polished charm. A crescent-shaped stone woven with strands of silver thread and wrapped in pale ribbon.
Alix kneels down to her level and presses it into her hands carefully.
"Listen, Ruva," he says, voice low and serious. "If you ever find yourself in real danger—where you can't run, break this. Just snap it in two."
