Outer space. Mercury’s orbit. Battle platform.

  The silence inside the cabin, shielded from the endless void of space, is almost tangible. The soft glow of a night lamp plays across the bare silhouettes of Veronica and Ragnar, intertwined in an elusive unity.

  — “All of this feels so strange…” Veronica speaks quietly, staring at the ceiling. A snow-white strand of her hair idly twirls around her finger, as if she’s not just unwinding it, but also the thread of her fate. “If not for the war, you and I, Ragnar… we would’ve been enemies.”

  — “Undoubtedly,” Ragnar smirks, his gaze softening imperceptibly as he turns to her. “And now, standing at the edge of death… we’ve become lovers.”

  — “Why is that?” Veronica looks at him. Her eyes are two bottomless lakes of ice, drowning all questions and answers within.

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  Ragnar falls silent for a moment, searching for the right words. His voice drops slightly in volume.

  — “Think about it. Not long ago, both of us believed only in machines and weapons, in a reality you could either destroy or conquer. And now…” He slows his breathing, lost in thought. “Now I’m starting to understand, for the first time, what good and evil actually are. And it’s all… because of Hanaris’ teachings.”

  He exhales heavily, as if releasing the weight of his confession.

  — “I used to live without thinking about the consequences. I inflicted pain, stripped androids of everything, tore lives apart. How much evil have I done? I never kept count. But now… now I want to atone. For real.”

  Veronica turns to him. Her gaze is no longer just cold — it’s certain, strong.

  — “I know the path of redemption. We’ll lead our enemies toward the light. We’ll show them the difference between good and evil. That will be our salvation.”

  Ragnar nods, slowly swaying, and replies softly:

  — “Maybe… You’re right. We have to try.”

  He wraps his arms around her, pulling her close. Their lips meet in a kiss — gentle, yet full of promises.

  Beyond the walls: the abyss, the cannons, death. But inside — a faith is being born, one that might just save not only them, but the world they’ve spent their lives breaking.