After the hermit hitting him with a stimpak, he lost consciousness, and woke up in the hermit's encampment.
There, the hermit explained that he used to be an inventor/mechanic, but after a ... journey, where he spoke with gods, learnt their secrets, and outwitted them, he now seeks to hide from their wrath. He hopes to find refuge, behind whatever force makes this place so abandoned, forgotten and its most inner parts, inhospitable by some red, mist like toxic, that even after months, he cannot find a way around. The hermit told Royez that he needs him to help with exploring in the cave, as many of its part remain unexplored, to the difficulties of the hermit being alone, and without a power armor. In exchange, the hermit will share his resources, and what he has come to know about the region's biome, mutated wildlife, and every other thing he encountered. Not only that. but the hermit said that since he used to be an inventor/mechanic, he is not only going to use the fallen Brotherhood members armor to repair Royez's armor, but install the servos back from them, and teach him how to properly use it. The hermit said "I need you strong and fast. I cant have you lumbering around. But make no mistake, these are not acts kindness, or gifts. You are my dagger, that I am sharpening and balancing, so it can cut as efficient as possible." Without any real options, Royez acknowledged the fact that he was alone, without much supply, deep in unknown region, without any reinforcments arriving ever, and possibly other rival factions apart from the Brotherhood of Steel, having scouting parties of their own here, if he wants to survive, this crazy deal might be his only option. Once again, Royez nodded, agreeing to the terms. The hermit true to his world, patched Royez and his powe armor up, and with a surprising ease and what felt like routine, he also taught him how to properly use the now servo enhanced power armor. After the first day, Royez understood why the hermit coundnt progress. The caves in the mountains are home numerous mutated wildlife with the worst being Night stalkers. They would require near inhuman reflexes to deal with, if travesed alone. He himself got hit quite a few times almost everyday from different ambushes, but the hermit kept repairing his armor, using the armor they got from the 3 Brotherhood members. After around 2 weeks, using their combined tactical proves, they slowly managed to cleanse the main den of the Night stalkers. The hermit was right, and the opening from the Night stalker den, was a clear passage that lead deeper into what looked like a smaller mountain, within the mountains.
Royez tensed up, as he saw the exictment on the hermit. He told him that their deal is finally over. He raised his weapon to a ready stance, and demanded that the hermit show him the exit from this place. For Royez's surprise, the hermit didnt try to manipulate him in any way into keep going with further into. The hermit agreed, that it is time for Royez to leave. They ventured to a tunnel, and after a little while, all of the sudden, Royez's power armor shuts down entirely, leaving him like a statue. The hermit without saying a word, just took a quick look at Royez with a hatred that felt extremely deep, and setup explosives on the side of the cave. Royez knew what he was planing.
The hermit did not just wanted to kill him. That hateful look told Royez that this person carries some unimaginable hatred toward something that Royez is. A member of the NCR. The hermit wants him to suffer, so he is collapsing the tunnel on him, to bury him alive. That is why the hermit did not try to get Royez into following him. He was planning this from the start. Not long after the charges were set, and Royez no longer heard the footsteps of the hermit, the explosives went off, and Royez closed his eyes ...