Chapter 66 - United (End of Arc 2)

It is 3:30 p.m.

The clouds completely cover the sweltering sun, much to our delight. We continue our journey with the Lunar Village as our objective, clearly in our sights. Blaike, his men, and ourselves are positioned as a vanguard for the girls.

_ Kona: " How do you feel now, Maïko? "

_ Maïko: " A little better. I’m still reeling from the murder, but Ayden is right, I need to come to terms with this reality. "

_ Kona: " Don't push yourself too hard, and remember you can lean on us too. "

_ Maïko: " You're right, thanks. "

Right after, the twin slows down to pull up close to her friend.

_ Kona: " And you? Are you still holding up okay with your crutch? "

_ Shailly: " Yes, I can still go the distance. I'll take a break later. Thanks, Kona. "

_ Kona: " Alright. "

Finally, she shifts toward her twin sister.

_ Kona: " Same question for you. I should probably change your bandage. "

_ Kaya: " What, are you my mother? I can handle it myself. "

_ Kona: " Actually, I'm pretty sure Mom would say otherwise from up there. "

_ Kaya: " Oh yeah? And who was it that saved you from the Recluse earlier? "

The twin, embarrassed, felt her cheeks flush.

_ Kona: " Don't change the subject! And besides, Shailly was the one who raised the alarm first. "

_ Kaya: " Doesn't change the fact that you were in deep shit. I'm always having to babysit you. "

Surprised by her sister’s irony, she raised her eyebrows, a faint, amused smile playing on her lips.

_ Kona: " Oh, of course, the great and lonely Kaya is always watching me, yeah right. "

_ Kaya: " You wanna fight? "

A mini-debate between the twins followed, closely watched by Son and Hazel, all in a healthy atmosphere.

_ Son: " We’re really lucky to have Kona with us. Her kindness keeps us going. " he said, a smile on his lips.

_ Hazel: " She’s a wonderful girl. "

Then, he clenches his fist, staring straight ahead.

_ Hazel: “ She is indispensable to the group. I will do everything in my power to protect her. ”

Pupils dilate.

_ Son: " I’ve never seen you this determined before. It’s badass, man! "

_ Hazel: " We’ve got a really good team, we can’t falter now. We’re going all the way. "

_ Son: " Well said! "

Slightly apart from the group alongside Blaike, my attention turned toward a more important matter.

_ Ayden: " By the way, what’s the North Zone like? "

_ Blaike: " Compared to the Middle Zone, it's way more advanced. "

_ Ayden: " How so? "

_ Blaike: " There's a lot more infrastructure, real camps, clinics… “

_ Ayden: " We also had a clinic in the South Zone, but it's been deserted. "

_ Blaike: " Here, vegetation is the only thing that thrives, whereas the North Zone shows the first signs of a civilization. Living conditions are more favorable there, and most of the Recluses are docile, with a few exceptions. "

My curiosity still piqued, I maintain my gaze on him.

_ Ayden: " Right, but if this zone is more interesting, why haven't you moved? "

_ Blaike: "My team and I didn't want to leave our home. We had built our own camp and established good landmarks for our hunting grounds. Although the Median Zone was harsh and hostile, our location was strategic for all natural resources. Therefore, leaving our lands meant abandoning all our efforts, and that was out of the question. "

Intrigued by his words, I listen to him in silence.

_ Blaike: " In the end, certain events condemned us to leave our lands, but even so, I remain here. "

_ Ayden: " Why? "

_ Blaike: “ I was born in this Zone and I plan on dying here. A few fools aren't going to change the way I live.”

Doubting my convictions slightly, I let my gaze drift toward the horizon.

_ Ayden: “ He’s a strange character, but he commands respect. "

Still without any eye contact from them, Blaike continues.

_ Blaike: " In this forest, if you want to survive, kid, you don't need to be powerful, you need to be calculating. "

_ Ayden: " Calculating? "

_ Blaike: “ Be reactive to every critical situation, analyze the environment around you, anticipate any unforeseen event, stay one step ahead of your opponent, and manage your stress levels. ”

Then he shoots me a cold look out of the corner of his eye for the first time.

_ Blaike: " This is what defines a calculator. "

In turn, I met his gaze of unwavering determination, without flinching.

_ Blaike: “ Believe me, you will live much longer this way. “

I greet him with a slight nod.

_ Ayden: " Thank you for the advice. "

_ Blaike: " … "

4:30 PM

The sun, forever shrouded by omnipresent clouds, forebodes rain in the coming hours. We set off again shortly after our brief break, drawing imminently closer to the North Zone. Suddenly, Reclu's group grinds to a halt.

_ Blaike: " Our paths part ways here. "

Caught off guard by this news, everyone’s eyebrows shot up, their eyes widening in shock.

_ Son: " What?? But we haven't even reached the village yet! "

_ Blaike: " Who said I was taking you all the way to the village? I’m escorting you to the entrance of the Zone. For the rest, you're on your own. I don't do babysitting. "

Stunned by this brutal reversal of fortune, everyone struggles to process it. Their mirage of security dissipates, giving way to a bitter anguish. While the others falter, I readily accept this new circumstance.

_ Ayden: " Thank you for your support. "

_ Son: " What do you mean 'thank you'? Doesn't this bother you, man? "

_ Ayden: " We should have been self-sufficient a long time ago. Their help was unexpected. Let's not ask for more. "

_ Son: " Yeah, I guess... but still… "

I take a step toward him.

_ Ayden: " As Hazel said, we can't afford to falter now; we're going to see this through to the end. "

His head snaps up, eyebrows raised.

_ Son: " Oh, I didn't think you were listening, since you were busy talking to the old man. "

_ Ayden: " I’m analyzing my surroundings. "

Then subtly, I lock eyes with Blaike, who responds with a satisfied smile. Resolute, they turn around, their gaze sweeping the horizon. A moment later, an idea flashes through their minds.

_ Blaike: " Oh, and one last thing. Be careful when you enter the Zone; you'll be in hostile territory. There are wild animals roaming within a certain perimeter. "

Stung by this very important announcement, the majority frowns.

_ Maïko: " No, this is too much! You’re only telling us this now?? "

_ Blaike: " You've got plenty of time; they don't show up until dusk, specifically 6:30 PM. If you keep up this pace, you'll have time to cross this danger zone without any trouble. "

_ Son: " The old man really screwed us over! "

_ Kona: " Yeah! We could've thought things through differently with that information! "

Absolving himself of any responsibility, he continued with an impassive air.

_ Blaike: “ There are only three of them. And in the worst-case scenario, there are a few small caves where you can hide. “

When pushed to the wall, we find it hard to accept the fate that awaits us.

_ Ayden: " Hard to defend him on this one… "

_ Shailly: " We can do it! Like he said, it's not until dusk. "

_ Hazel: " Exactly. Plus, we're not far from the entrance to the Zone. Let's just keep up this pace. “

These arguments slightly eased the group's concerns, and they resolved to continue their journey, their motivation still intact.

_ Blaike: “ Good luck. “

Furthermore, we catch a final glimpse of Blaike’s group from behind as they head in the opposite direction, disappearing into the depths of the forest, leaving us alone in the face of nature.