Chapter 18-19: Back To Reality

Alec sat across from Ken, both of them studying the cryptic files scattered across the table. Despite the apparent lead they had on the couple’s location, something about the entire situation didn’t sit right with either of them.

“You’re thinking it too, aren’t you?” Ken said, his voice low and cautious.

Alec nodded. “Yeah. This feels... off. Like we’re being led right where they want us. But we can’t just leave them out there.”

Before Ken could respond, Yusen entered the room, holding a tablet. His face was a mixture of relief and tension. “I’ve got a location,” he said, his eyes darting between Alec and Ken. “It wasn’t easy, but the coordinates match up with the last-known traces of the couple. They’re being held in an abandoned fortress just outside the border.”

Alec stood, a steely resolve in his eyes. “Then we’re going.”

Ken hesitated, glancing between Alec and Yusen. “But this could be a trap. We’re talking about the ten most powerful tribes; they’ve been a step ahead of us this entire time.”

“Maybe,” Alec replied, “but we can’t ignore this. If there’s even a chance of saving them, we’re taking it.”

With a plan hastily formed, the team gathered their gear, activating every device they had to ensure they’d stay undetected. They moved swiftly through the forest, Alec’s tracker in hand as they closed in on the fortress.

Finally, after hours of trekking in silence, they reached the outskirts of the fortress. It stood like a monolith against the darkened sky, imposing and silent. Alec and Ken exchanged a look, both of them tense but determined.

“Alright, this is it,” Alec murmured to the team. “Remember, we go in quiet and get out fast.”

They slipped through a small gap in the outer wall, moving like shadows along the fortress’s silent corridors. But as they turned a corner, a loud clank echoed, and the hallway was suddenly flooded with blinding light.

“Get ready!” Alec shouted, reaching for his weapon, as seven powerful figures emerged from the shadows, each wearing the insignia of one of the most feared tribes. The trap had been sprung, and they were surrounded.

chained to the wall, looking bruised and exhausted but alive.

“Alec!” the woman gasped, her eyes widening in surprise and relief.

“We’re getting you out of here,” Alec said, stepping forward to free them. But as he reached out, a shadow loomed over him.

The tribal leader was back, blocking the doorway with a fierce snarl. “You really thought you could just waltz in and take what’s ours?”

Alec’s fists clenched. “They’re not yours. They’re people, and we won’t let you use them as pawns in your schemes.”

With a quick nod to Ken, Alec threw himself at the leader, their struggle fierce and chaotic. Behind them, Yusen held off the remaining fighters, his breath labored as he tried to keep them at bay. The seconds stretched as the three of them fought for every inch, refusing to let the tribes overtake them.

Finally, with one last surge of effort, Alec broke the couple’s chains. “Now, go!” he yelled, pulling them to their feet.

The team managed to shove back the tribal leader just long enough to clear a path to the exit. Racing through the fortress’s corridors, they fought off stragglers, adrenaline and desperation fueling their every step.

They burst out into the open air, the cold night feeling like a lifeline. But they weren’t safe yet—the tribes wouldn’t give up the chase so easily.

“Head for the trees!” Alec commanded, pulling the couple with him as they sprinted toward the cover of the forest. They dodged arrows and attacks from behind, weaving through the trees, until the sounds of pursuit finally began to fade.

When they reached a safe distance, Alec slowed to a halt, breathing heavily. The team gathered around, exhausted but relieved. They had escaped—for now.

The couple looked at Alec, gratitude mixed with fear in their eyes. “We… we thought it was over,” the man said, his voice trembling. “Thank you. You saved us.”

Alec gave a tired but reassuring nod. “This isn’t over yet. We’ll make sure you’re safe—but first, we need to figure out why they wanted you so badly.”

As dawn began to break over the horizon, Alec knew that the battle had only just begun.

The team moved through the dense forest like shadows themselves—silent, quick, and unseen. The air was thick with moisture, and the only sounds were the crunching of leaves underfoot and the occasional distant call of unseen creatures. Alec, leading the group, couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at him. He kept glancing over his shoulder, expecting to see something, someone—anything—that would confirm his suspicions. But the forest was unnaturally still.

Ken, walking beside him, sensed the tension. He gave Alec a side glance, his voice low. “You think it’s a trap?”

Alec didn’t respond right away. His gaze was fixed ahead, scanning the surroundings, but his mind was elsewhere. “It’s more than that,” he finally muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s like we’re being watched... like they know exactly where we are.”

Ken frowned, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his weapon. He was used to feeling paranoid in situations like this, but Alec’s unease was different. “Do you think it’s the tribes? They might have scouts out here, but we’ve been careful.”

“I know,” Alec replied, his voice distant. “But something about this feels off. There’s too much at stake. The prophecy, the relic… all of it. And now the tribes are involved.” He paused, shaking his head. “This isn’t just about saving a couple anymore. There’s something bigger at play.”

Ken’s face hardened. He knew exactly what Alec meant. The couple they had rescued—the ones who supposedly held the key to the ancient relic—were hiding something. Alec didn’t trust them, and after everything they had been through, neither did Ken. But they didn’t have much of a choice. The tribes were hunting them, and time was running out.

Just ahead, Yusen was crouched behind a large boulder, his eyes fixed on the small clearing they were approaching. The team had been traveling for hours, and they were finally close to the couple’s last known location. If they could find them and get the answers they needed, maybe, just maybe, they could avoid the full wrath of the tribes.

“We’re almost there,” Yusen called out, his voice tight with focus. “The couple’s camp is just beyond that ridge. Stay low, and keep your distance.”

Alec nodded, signaling for the others to follow. The team moved swiftly, sticking to the shadows, their movements synchronized as if they had practiced this a thousand times. They reached the ridge, crouching low behind the rocks, and Alec peered over the top, his heart skipping a beat.

The camp was small, hidden beneath the overhanging branches of ancient trees. A few campfires flickered, their light dancing in the dimming twilight. The couple they had been searching for was sitting near one of the fires, speaking in hushed tones. But it wasn’t just the couple they were worried about.

Scattered around the camp were the unmistakable signs of the tribes. They were too well-armed, too well-positioned. The entire area had been rigged to trap anyone who tried to approach. There were no signs of movement in the trees or on the ground, but Alec felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He knew that somewhere, hidden in the darkness, eyes were watching them.

“We’ve walked right into their trap,” Alec murmured, his jaw clenched. “The tribes are already here.”

Yusen, who had been scanning the area with his enhanced vision, confirmed the worst. “There’s no way we can get close without being seen. This whole place is covered in surveillance.”

Ken’s voice was low but urgent. “We need to back off and come up with a new plan. We’re not prepared for a fight against them here. There are too many.”

But Alec’s mind was racing. He couldn’t just walk away, not now. Not after everything they had been through to get here. The prophecy, the relic—it all hinged on this moment. If they didn’t act now, they might never get another chance.

“I’m not backing down,” Alec said, his voice firm. “We can’t afford to lose them. Not when we’re so close.”

Ken’s eyes narrowed. “Alec, think this through. If we attack, it’ll be a bloodbath. And we don’t even know if they’re really holding the couple hostage. For all we know, they could be working together.”

Alec didn’t respond immediately. His fists clenched at his sides as his thoughts swirled. He knew Ken was right—they didn’t have enough information. But the weight of the situation pressed down on him. He could feel it in his gut: if they let this moment slip, they might never get another chance. The tribes had set a trap for them, but that didn’t mean they were going to walk away from it without a fight.

“We don’t have a choice,” Alec said finally. “I’ll go in first. You stay back and cover me.”

Ken opened his mouth to argue, but Alec held up a hand, silencing him. “This is the only way. We can’t risk losing the couple now. You’ll see what I mean when we’re in there.”

Ken hesitated, then gave a sharp nod. “Fine. But you’re on your own. Don’t make me regret this.”

With that, Alec pushed himself to his feet, slipping into the shadows once more. The team remained crouched behind the ridge, waiting for Alec to make his move. The air felt thick with tension, every second stretching into eternity as they watched him disappear into the night.

Alec moved swiftly through the underbrush, his steps light but deliberate. He had to be quick, quiet—if he could just get close enough to the couple without being seen, they could grab them and escape before the tribes realized what was happening. He wasn’t sure how much time he had, but he couldn’t afford to waste a single second.

As he neared the camp, Alec crouched low, using the shadows to hide his movements. The firelight flickered, casting strange shadows across the ground. He could hear the murmurs of the couple, but they were too far to make out their words. His pulse quickened, his senses heightened. Something wasn’t right.

A sudden rustle in the trees behind him caught his attention. Alec froze, every muscle in his body tense. He knew he wasn’t alone anymore. The trap was closing in on him.

In a flash, he spun around, drawing his weapon from its holster, his eyes scanning the darkness. But it was too late—seven figures emerged from the trees, surrounding him in an instant. The tribes had found him.

Alec cursed under his breath. He hadn’t expected this, hadn’t planned for the sheer number of warriors that had been lurking just out of sight. Each figure was tall, their bodies cloaked in armor made from bone and leather. Their eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity, and their weapons were sharp, honed for battle.

“You’re not getting away,” one of them hissed, stepping forward. The voice was harsh, guttural—a language Alec didn’t recognize.

He took a step back, his mind racing. He could feel the weight of their gaze on him, the pressure of the situation building with each passing second. He wasn’t going to let them capture him. Not now, not when he was so close.

With a swift movement, Alec drew his blade, his body flowing into a defensive stance. He wasn’t going to give up without a fight.

The tribesmen hesitated, studying him for a moment. Then, without warning, they lunged forward, their weapons aimed directly at Alec. He parried the first strike with ease, spinning to avoid the second. The force of the attack pushed him back, but he regained his balance quickly, slashing at the air to create distance.

The battle had begun.

Alec fought with all his strength, each movement precise, calculated. But the tribesmen were fast, their weapons deadly. The odds were stacked against him, but he refused to back down. He wasn’t going to let them take him, not now. Not when everything was on the line.

As he fought, his mind raced. What had the couple said? What was the connection between the relic and the prophecy? He couldn’t afford to lose focus—not now.

But the more he fought, the more he realized something—something wasn’t right. These tribesmen weren’t just attacking—they were trying to capture him. They weren’t trying to kill him. They were trying to bring him in alive.

And Alec realized, with a sudden flash of understanding, that the tribes weren’t his real enemy. Something far more dangerous was waiting for him.

He needed to get to the couple. He needed to know the truth.

With a final, desperate push, Alec broke free from the circle of attackers, sprinting toward the camp. The tribesmen hesitated for a moment, then pursued him, but Alec was already gone, disappearing into the shadows.