Max woke up long before Nana did. He couldn't sleep that night so he decided to doze on the plane down to the Kasimir border. In his insomnia he prepared himself for his return to the battlefield. He clipped his hair and removed his earrings. 30 lbs had been dropped over the past few months and his smoking habit ceased. He felt and looked young again. Staring into the mirror for a few minutes, he was taken back to the last time he was actually out fighting. 7 years ago, he was fighting alongside the only man he ever knew as a father figure. 7 years later, he was going to be fighting against him. Max's stomach dropped at the thought of what was going to be occurring within the next few days - the city of Moriz and it's residents had no idea what was coming.

He passed the hours until dawn by going through the rooms of his mansion, reliving memories, and hoping to return. After the sun had been up for a bit, Max trudged up the stairs to his room. Their room. She was awake in the bed, laying on her side and playing with her hair as she did when she was in a trance. Eve was motionless when he entered.

"...Hey," he choked.

No answer. Max sighed and sat down on the bed, his hat between his knees. Eve still twisted her hair.

"You knew this day was coming, Eve."

"I didn't expect it this soon," she whispered.

They had argued over him leaving to fight in the war instead of dictating what was going on with the troops. The mission was suicide and Eve and Max knew that. He wanted to be on the line again, experiencing and supporting what his soldiers did. He wanted to see what power this new weapon had. Max may not have been the most agreeable person to get along with, but he did love his people and viewed them as his equals. They all fought for the same cause.

There was a still silence between them as Max leaned over and whispered "Ne vola nitze" in her ear.

"Just go..." she breathed, not once looking at him.

He sat back and bit his lip. Nothing he did was good enough for this girl anymore. Nothing he did met or exceeded her expectations and his choice to continue with this war was not helping. He wouldn't choose between her and his people. Not now. So, obeying her wishes, he stood up slowly and put his cap on. The walk to the bedroom door felt like eternity to him, but he didn't once turn back. The door closed with a click and Eve rolled over, clasped her arms and sobbed.