Chapter 22: The Shattering Force

The battlefield was a blur. Alec’s senses were on overload as the energy from the relic coursed through him. He could feel the pulse of power surging in his veins, invigorating every muscle, every cell in his body. The force of the blast he had just unleashed had sent the tribes reeling, but Alec knew better than to think it was over. They weren’t finished with him yet.

As the dust settled, the warriors of the seven tribes began to rise again, shaken but not broken. They were regaining their footing, their resolve. Their faces were now twisted with fury. The leader of the woman’s faction—the tribe with the golden markings that shone in the light—was the first to advance, wiping dust from his bloodied face. His eyes locked on Alec, filled with rage, and Alec could feel the heat of that anger.

“You’ll regret this, Alec,” the leader hissed, his voice cold as ice. “That relic doesn’t belong to you. No one is allowed to wield such power.”

Alec clenched his fists, the relic’s energy still humming, ready to obey his command. “It doesn’t belong to you either,” he spat, his voice sharp and unwavering. “You’ve been using people, manipulating them, and it ends now.”

Ken stepped forward beside Alec, sweat dripping down his face, his stance steady. “They’re not going to let us walk away, Alec. But we’ve got a shot, now that we have the power of the relic on our side. We can turn the tide.”

Alec nodded grimly, knowing Ken was right. The tribes were formidable, yes, but with the relic’s energy at his command, they weren’t going to back down. Alec could feel the power growing, the hum of it reverberating through the air, urging him to strike again. But he was aware of one thing: this wasn’t just about raw power. It was about strategy, timing, and knowing when to use it. Overusing the relic could be as dangerous as underestimating it.

The golden-marked leader sneered, his lips curling into a tight, vicious smile. He snapped his fingers, and the other warriors in his tribe advanced. They were armed with spears and shields, their movements calculated, ready to strike with precision.

“Take them down,” the leader ordered, his voice a low growl.

And just like that, the chaos resumed.

Alec and Ken sprang into action. Ken’s weapon, a long, curved blade that shimmered in the dim light, sliced through the air with deadly accuracy. His movements were fluid, almost as if he were dancing with death. Alec, on the other hand, was more focused on the relic, feeling its power surge and pulse, reacting to his every command.

The first wave of attackers closed in quickly, and Alec raised the relic, channeling its energy. A shockwave of pure force erupted from it, sweeping through the surrounding tribes, knocking several of the warriors off their feet. But it wasn’t enough to end the fight. The tribes were regaining their composure, advancing again, faster this time, learning from their previous mistakes.

“We need to keep them at bay,” Ken grunted, dodging an incoming spear. “We can’t let them surround us again.”

Alec’s mind was racing. He could feel the energy of the relic growing stronger, but it was unstable. If he didn’t control it carefully, it could backfire. He needed to find a way to disrupt the tribes’ momentum without losing control of the relic’s power.

His eyes scanned the battlefield, searching for something—anything—that could give them an edge. Then, he saw it: a narrow gap between two rocks, just ahead. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. He needed to push the tribes back long enough to make a break for it.

“Ken,” Alec shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Over there! The gap!”

Ken glanced up, his eyes narrowing as he took in the narrow escape route. He nodded, understanding immediately. “Got it! We move on my mark.”

Alec took a deep breath, feeling the relic’s energy hum in his hand. He could hear the footsteps of the tribes as they closed in on them. The leader of the golden-marked tribe was leading the charge now, his gaze locked on Alec. There was no time to waste.

With a swift motion, Alec thrust the relic forward, releasing a concentrated burst of energy toward the advancing tribe. The blast sent a shockwave rippling through the air, knocking back several warriors and throwing them into the dirt. It was enough to create a brief opening.

“Now!” Alec yelled.

Ken didn’t hesitate. He bolted toward the gap, his blade cutting through the air as he fended off any warriors that dared to come too close. Alec followed right behind him, keeping the relic raised, prepared to unleash another wave if necessary. The tribes were still in pursuit, but now, they had a moment’s reprieve.

As Alec and Ken sprinted toward the gap, Alec could feel the weight of the relic in his hand, the pressure building with every step. He knew they couldn’t keep running forever. They needed to regroup, to come up with a plan before the tribes closed in again.

“Keep moving!” Alec urged, gritting his teeth.

Ken glanced over his shoulder, barely managing to keep the warriors at bay. “We’re almost there. But we need a better plan, Alec. We can’t keep using the relic like this. It’s draining you.”

Alec nodded, but he didn’t slow down. The power of the relic was intoxicating, but Ken was right. He could feel the toll it was taking on him. Each burst of energy left him weaker, and if he kept overusing it, he would burn himself out. But he didn’t have the luxury of time. The tribes were relentless.

The narrow gap was almost within reach. Alec could see it now—a small cavern just beyond the rocks. If they could get there, they might have a chance to regroup, to formulate a better plan.

But as they neared the gap, Alec’s senses went on high alert. He felt a strange shift in the air, a sudden change in the energy around them. Something was coming. Something big.

Before he could react, the ground beneath them cracked open with a thunderous roar. Alec stumbled, losing his footing as the earth split. He grabbed onto Ken, pulling him back, but it was too late.

A massive figure emerged from the chasm, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. It was a creature like nothing Alec had ever seen—twisted, monstrous, its body covered in spiked armor, and its very presence radiated power.

“Get back!” Ken shouted, his voice urgent.

But it was too late. The creature let out a deafening roar, shaking the very ground beneath them. The battle was about to take a turn for the worse. The relic, in Alec’s hand, hummed once again—this time, more violently. Alec could feel it, pulling at him, as if it recognized the new threat.

There was no turning back now. Alec gripped the relic tighter, his heart pounding in his chest. This battle wasn’t just about survival anymore. It was about facing the unknown—about overcoming forces greater than they had ever imagined.

And Alec had no choice but to fight back with everything he had.