### *Tobias: The Cost of Leadership*

The sun was setting over Evergrand Island, casting long shadows across the emptying streets. The blackout persisted, and the looming exile deadline left the city in an eerie silence. Many Penitatas families had already packed their belongings and left, their homes now dark and abandoned. Tobias Kain stood in the Kains’ living room, his heart heavy with guilt and frustration.

Across the island, whispers of blame and anger directed at Tobias grew louder. His unexpected rise in the election, despite being disqualified, had given Miyu the perfect excuse to enact her harsh decree. Penitatas everywhere were being forced to leave their homes, and many saw Tobias as the cause of their suffering.

---

### *Facing the Inevitable*

Tobias sat at the dining table with his adoptive parents, Mrs. and Mr. Kain, staring at the eviction notice folded in front of him. Martha, Bruno, and Luna sat nearby, their expressions a mix of sadness and frustration.

“I have to leave,” Tobias said quietly, his voice filled with resignation. “If I stay, Miyu will just keep coming after me. She’ll use me as an excuse to hurt more people.”

Mrs. Kain’s eyes filled with tears, but she nodded, understanding the truth of his words. “You’re right, Tobias. But you’re not going alone.”

“What do you mean?” Tobias asked, looking up at her.

Mr. Kain placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. “We’re going with you. You’re not going to face this on your own.”

“But—” Tobias began, but Mrs. Kain cut him off firmly.

“No buts,” she said. “You’re our son, Tobias. Wherever you go, we go.”

---

### *Saying Goodbye*

Martha, Bruno, and Luna exchanged glances before speaking up.

“We’ll stay in touch,” Martha said, her mechanical rabbit clutched tightly. “You’re not getting rid of us that easily.”

“Wherever you end up, we’ll find a way to visit,” Bruno added, his voice calm but resolute.

Luna smirked faintly, though the sadness in her eyes betrayed her usual bravado. “And if you need backup, you know where to find us.”

Tobias nodded, his throat tight. “I’ll miss you guys.”

“We’ll miss you too,” Martha said, hugging him tightly. “But this isn’t goodbye forever. We’ll figure something out.”

---

### *Leaving Evergrand*

The Kains packed quickly, loading their belongings into a transport vehicle. As they prepared to leave, Tobias stood outside their home, taking one last look at the streets he’d grown to know so well. The thought of leaving his friends and everything he knew behind was almost unbearable, but he knew it was the only way to keep them safe.

The transport’s engine roared to life, and as the vehicle began to pull away, Tobias turned to see Martha, Bruno, and Luna waving from the sidewalk.

“Take care of yourself, Tobias,” Bruno said, his voice steady.

“Don’t do anything stupid without us,” Luna added, her smirk returning briefly.

“We’ll find a way to fix this,” Martha called out. “I promise.”

Tobias waved back, his heart heavy as the distance between them grew.

---

### *The Journey Ahead*

As the transport moved farther from Evergrand, Tobias sat quietly in the back seat, staring out the window. The once-familiar streets grew smaller and smaller until they disappeared entirely. Beside him, Mrs. Kain placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“We’ll figure out where to go next,” Mr. Kain said from the driver’s seat, his voice steady. “We’ll find a place where we can start over.”

Tobias nodded, gripping the edge of his seat. “I just... I wish I could’ve done more.”

“You’ve done more than enough,” Mrs. Kain said gently. “You stood up for what was right. That’s more than most people would do.”

As the transport carried them away, the weight of what had happened began to settle on Tobias. He thought of the friends he had left behind, of the families forced to uproot their lives, and of Miyu’s triumphant smile as she took full control of Evergrand.

---

### *Looking Forward*

That night, as they stopped to rest at a small waystation outside Evergrand’s borders, Tobias sat under the stars with his war hammer beside him. The guilt and frustration still gnawed at him, but he felt a flicker of determination burning within.

“She thinks she’s won,” Tobias said quietly, gripping the hammer’s handle. “But this isn’t over.”

Mr. Kain sat down beside him, his expression calm but firm. “No, it’s not. And you’re not alone in this.”

Tobias looked up at the sky, the stars faint but steady above him. He didn’t know where the road ahead would lead, but one thing was certain: he wasn’t giving up. The fight for Evergrand Island—and the truth—was far from over.