The younger Canpio groaned as they slowly pushed themself off of the sleeping slab and placed their feet against the floor. Even if the pain had improved, it was still excruciating to move too quickly, and it showed in how they gasped for air as they slid on their shoes. They were sluggish to slide on their light gray hoodie over the tanktop that they usually wore underneath, and a few more moments passed before they grabbed for the sturdy branch that served as a walking stick. After what felt like an hour, they were on their feet and limping out the door.

The trek to town was exhausting, even tear-jerking as every breath still pained them. They pulled their hood up and swallowed as they reassured that their mask was in place. They were fairly well-hidden, save for the medium-gray Canpio symbol on their chest, but given how early it was, they hoped that no one would pay much mind to them. So far, they avoided eye contact with the other trolls, but a sudden whisper prompted them to look up.

“Wait.”

“What,” Nova queried almost under their breath as they lifted their gaze, a gasp catching in their throat as they laid eyes on a few trolls exiting a building. They nervously exhaled, tucking their white streak of hair into their hood. Something felt off, here, and the owl troll suppressed a tiny, fearful whimper at the next word to make itself known.

“There.”

Nova’s gaze fell upon a tall Tealblood with salt-and-pepper hair, a smile that was perhaps a little too charming, and a vertical pinstripe suit comprised of black and white. A rush of dread rushed through them, one so potent on sight that a part of them questioned whether that was actually their own. They found it difficult to speak, but eventually, a single utterance fell forward. “...Who...?”

“That is Omnius, Nova. Learn his face just as well as you know his name, and avoid him at all costs.”

“That’s Omnius,” Nova gasped perhaps a bit too loudly in alarm, recoiling as if the name itself dealt a source of pain. They backed away from the corner wall they had leaned against to rest, their eyes wide as some trolls looked their way. Oh gog, had they been heard? Had they been seen?

“Not so loudly,” Stygia hissed, baring her unseen teeth in a snarl towards her descendant. The elder shifted in place, their hollowed, white eyes somehow ablaze with anger upon sight of the Tealblood before the two of them. “But yes. Now you know his face. Never look him in the eyes, and if you must walk away, don’t be conspicuous. Give him no reason to ever be interested in you.” A heavy pause came before the Catalyst broke the silence once again, their words suddenly heavy and grave in a way that Nova had never heard.

“And most importantly, do not lead him to Rutaci. If he sees you, don’t anticipate that Rutaci is going to save you. Lead him off elsewhere, and pray that he doesn’t catch you. If he does, then you should pray instead that he ends you quickly.”

Tears pricked at Nova’s eyes at the thought. Their life only felt more and more like an ongoing daymare, agonizing enough to where they wished they could’ve returned to the nights where their biggest concern was staying anonymous, not feeling as if they were constantly, actively on the run. The younger Canpio took another step back to meld into the shadows save for the light tones on their hoodie. Oh, gog, what could they do?

“Follow my directions,” The Catalyst answered their unspoken query with a nod that was felt rather than seen towards the alley. “There’s a network of tunnels that you can take starting here. I’ll lead you hive, but the next time you’re out here, wear a darker color, and keep your symbol inside out. Hope against all hope that they didn’t notice you.”