Tess Cross
The Spirited Hunter, Arroyo's Silent Warrior
Affiliation: Arroyo Colony
Role: Hunter, Wasteland Scavenger
Tess is the fifteen-year-old daughter of James and Elena Cross, Kael's twin sister, a fiercely capable and spirited colonist who navigates the Wastes with the silence of a ghost and the precision of a seasoned hunter. Unlike Kael's quiet watchfulness, Tess is quick to act, driven by a deeply ingrained instinct to provide for her family and defend her home. She views the Sanctums with practical suspicion but allows herself to experience the fleeting awe of their technological wonders when exposed to them. Brave and fiercely loyal, Tess stands as a crucial pillar of strength for her brother and father as the world around them begins to fracture.
"Compassion without power is just a weakness. Out here, you save yourself first." — James to Tess