298 Kneel

"This never would have happened if Lord Emerson were here," Varis grumbled, his long ponytail whipping around as he flew above a broken highway outside the Sanctuary. Unlike in the city, there weren't corpses on the street or in cars; only dried blood remained from the bodies that animals from the Sanctuary had eaten.

However, it wasn't uninhabited. Large condors, eagles, and pelicans populated the area, flying below the cultivators under the clouds.

"Let it go, Varis." Elsa scoffed, "Few people can match Mary Emerson in battle, let alone people outside our faction. That means that there's a strong chance that she's a deserter or a—"

"Don't say it!" Varis roared, releasing some of the pressure. "Traitor, traitor, TRAITOR! Don't say that word. Major Ramble intentionally charged Private Ryas with treason so we could attack an unconfirmed enemy. It's an egregious set up."