CHAPTER 127: CHAPTER 127 - GOODBYES

Logan threw on some proper clothes and stored his glaive in his ring before heading to the reception.

The moment he stepped into the reception area, he spotted a familiar figure.

’’Arnar?’’ Logan said, walking towards him.

Arnar turned around, a small smile on his face as he immediately walked over.

’’Colin,’’ he said, patting Logan’s good shoulder. ’’You didn’t answer your texts for days. I thought you died from some internal injury or something.’’

Logan scratched his head with an awkward smile. ’’I was so exhausted I pretty much hibernated.’’

Arnar stared at him for a second before bursting out laughing.

"That makes sense," Arnar laughed, slapping Logan’s shoulder a few times. "Now that you’re finally awake, how about we go for a walk?"

Logan raised an eyebrow. "A walk?"

"Yeah. Stretch your legs, get some fresh air. And I’m starving." He grinned. ’’You also owe me a burger or something for the fear you put me in.’’

Logan let out a sigh, his lips curving up slightly. ’’Some peace might do me good.’’

He followed Arnar out of the hotel, into the soft snowfall outside.

The streets were lively, civilians walking outside without a care in the world, children running around, throwing snowballs at each other, many street vendors shouting over the streets.

Arnar walked casually through it all, hands in his pockets as he started talking about everything and nothing.

Eventually, they passed a food cart surrounded by a few tired-looking mercenaries.

’’Let’s get some Monstermeat Hotdogs here,’’ Arnar said, slowing down as his stomach rumbled.

Logan chuckled slightly, joining him in the small line. ’’Didn’t take you as the type to eat some greasy street food.’’

Arnar shrugged, taking out his card. ’’I’m dying from hunger, let me enjoy something simple.’’

A few minutes later, they walked side by side down the snow-covered streets, each with a hotdog in hand.

Logan glanced around, eyes slowly drifting across the people, laughing and enjoying their day.

"It’s weird, isn’t it?" Arnar said, his eyes lingering on a child throwing a snowball at a vendor. "All these people enjoying their lives while under constant threat."

Logan raised an eyebrow, surprised Arnar noticed.

After remaining silent for a few seconds, Logan stared ahead of him and gave a small nod.

Arnar chuckled slightly.

’’I’ll never fully be able to understand them either,’’ he said, shaking his head. ’’But the people here got used to the constant alarms, the danger and monsters.’’

He took a bite of his hotdog, chewing as he continued.

’’They believe the city won’t fall. So for them, this?’’ He gestured around. ’’This is their version of normal.’’

Logan’s eyes widened as he looked around again.

"They really don’t know what exactly is out there, do they?" he muttered.

"Nope," Arnar said, taking a bite of his hotdog. "And honestly? I think most of them don’t want to."

Logan stayed quiet, watching a group of teenagers dunk one of their friends into a pile of snow.

’’Most civilians live like this,’’ Arnar said, chewing slowly. ’’Safe behind a barrier, fed with filtered news, and counting on people like us to keep them alive.’’

He slowed down, tossing the wrapper of his hotdog into a nearby bin.

"Even then... I like protecting them," he admitted. "I like to believe they’d do the same if the roles were reversed."

Logan stared at him silently, a torrent of mixed emotions going through him.

’That’s a nice thought,’

he mused bitterly. ’But most people wouldn’t lift a finger if it didn’t benefit them.’

He couldn’t understand how Arnar could see that kind of good in people.

But maybe that was the difference between them.

Arnar still believed in people, while Logan had seen some of the dirtiest corners by now.

"On a better note," Arnar said, suddenly lightening the mood.

"In a year or two, me and my girlfriend might get married," he added casually. "Might even retire from this life by then."

Logan raised both eyebrows, turning his head in surprise.

"Figured if I ever have kids, they’d hate growing up without a father," Arnar said, eyes scanning the street for their next snack stop.

Logan didn’t respond right away. He just stared at Arnar for a moment.

’’Congrats,’’ he eventually said, his voice quiet but genuine.

Arnar smiled. ’’Thanks.’’

Logan watched him for a moment before asking, "Are you really sure you can walk away from this life?"

Arnar’s expression changed for a split second, conflicting. ’’Maybe not tomorrow, or next month, but eventually I think I can.’’

Letting out a deep sigh, Arnar shook his head. "I used to tell myself I’d protect this city forever, like I’ve done for the past eight years.’’

"But during the last wave, I realized... maybe I’ve already done my part."

He put his hands back into his pockets.

"It’s someone else’s turn now."

A faint smile spread on Logan’s face, as he nodded.

He could tell what kind of a difficult decision it was for Arnar and respected him immensely for it.

The two continued walking down the streets in silence.

Logan spotted a familiar sign outside a bar.

Through the window, he spotted several mercenaries from the last wave—some still wrapped in bandages, others laughing loudly as they raised their glasses.

’’Care for a drink?’’ Arnar asked, bobbing his head to the door.

Logan shook his head with a faint smile. ’’No I’m alright,’’ he said quietly.

His eyes lingered inside for a moment, the same people that were complete strangers before now seeming like they’ve known each other for years.

He felt like an outsider looking in, like this world was never really his.

Yet, it felt peaceful watching them there.

Shaking his head slightly, he turned to Arnar. ’’I’m planning to leave the city.’’

’’No surprise there,’’ Arnar said, his voice a little more quiet than usual. ’’I could already tell something was off from the way you looked around.’’

Logan chuckled slightly, not denying it.

’’You heading anywhere in particular?’’

’’Not really,’’ Logan shook his head. ’’Just somewhere else.’’

Arnar gave a small grunt. ’’Well, wherever you end up. Try not to get yourself killed.’’

Smiling, Logan gave a nod.

They stood there in silence for a moment, small bits of music and laughter drifting out from the bar.

Then, Arnar smirked. "I’ll invite you to the wedding when the time comes."

Logan looked up, his smile widening. ’’I’ll bring a nice gift.’’

Arnar raised a thumb, before patting Logan on his shoulder one last time.

After saying their goodbyes, Arnar stepped into the bar while Logan made his way back to the hotel.

’It’s time to head back to the headquarters,’ Logan thought, kicking a pile of snow in front of him. ’Then... I’ll figure out my next step. This peace won’t last anyway.’