As Dune and the others leaped off the boat, it dissolved into streams of Neba, the liquid energy slithering back toward Nely like a serpent returning to its master.
Without wasting another second, they dashed forward, moving swiftly through the darkened ruins of the sinking island.
Dune's mind raced as he ran. Was it really a good idea to go back to Elijah now? The thought lingered, but deep down, he knew the answer. *Elijah wouldn't be able to handle all four of us at once... he's probably still there, he won't let that building go. I'm sure he's waiting for .*
Glancing back at the others, he kept his voice low but firm. "We're heading to the center. There's a tall building where we can rest." His gaze sharpened. "I have... a companion there. His na is Elijah."
"Elijah?" Atlas questioned.
"His ability is tricky," Dune continued. "He can teleport anywhere between one to ten steps, and he can keep doing it until he runs out of Neba."
The group collectively made a face.
"He's worse than you," Nely muttered, shaking her head.
"Not surprised you two found each other," Ned added, smirking.
Dune shot them a glare. "Aight, shut up."
They kept moving, weaving through the remnants of the island's forest, stepping over fallen branches and debris. The faint ruins of a village ca into view, decayed buildings barely standing against the pull of the toxic ocean.
"Oh yeah," Dune added casually. "He can also fly."
The group ca to a sudden stop.
"That's so unfair," Ned muttered.
"I know," Dune sighed.
They kept moving, their footsteps silent against the damp earth. As the towering building ca into sight, Dune's eyes narrowed. Sothing was off. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of blood.
Reaching the entrance, he pushed the door open,Inside, standing on the first floor, was Elijah.
His clothes were drenched in blood, his face and hair splattered with red. Around him, the bodies of four dead Zeten users lay sprawled across the ground. In his hand was a severed head.
Elijah turned at the sound of the door creaking open, his tired eyes eting Dune's. A slow, almost lazy smile stretched across his face.
"Oh, Dune..." he muttered, breathless. "You ca back. Sorry, I couldn't hold it any longer, hahaha."
Nely, Ned, and Atlas tensed behind Dune, their faces pale.
Elijah tilted his head, his gaze flicking to the newcors. "Oh, I see you brought so friends." He took a step closer, breathing heavily. "I'd love to et them properly..."
One by one, they introduced themselves.
"I'm... Nely," she said cautiously.
"Ned."
"Atlas."
Elijah let out a short chuckle. "Nice to et you all." Then, without another word, he turned to Dune. "Co, I have sothing to show you. You won't believe it, I found the true treasure here."
Dune frowned. "What?"
"Just co."
Elijah walked toward the staircase, climbing to the second floor. Dune hesitated for only a mont before following.
When he reached the top, his eyes widened.
Two boys stood there, waiting.
Ezra and Liam.
Both wore matching long-sleeved shirts and vests, loose baggy pants fitted for movent, and comfortable shoes made for quick steps. Their curly, dark brown-orange hair frad sharp, lively faces, their yellow-green eyes practically glowing in the dim light.
Nely gasped. Her whole face lit up.
"Ezra! Liam!"
The twins turned sharply at the sound of her voice. Their expressions shifted from confusion to pure joy.
"Hah! Nely! Bunny, is that you?!" Ezra shouted.
Liam grinned. "He looks exactly the sa, skinny and weak."
Elijah blinked. His amused smirk faltered. "Wait. You guys know each other?"
Dune exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "We were together in the second trial."
Elijah's smirk returned. "Unbelievable. I united long-lost friends, I should get an award for this." He let out a chuckle, shaking his head.
anwhile, Nely sprinted toward the twins, and they dashed to et her halfway.
"You two are alive!" she practically shouted. "I'm so happy to see you—"
Ezra scoffed, grinning. "What? You thought we'd die? Hell no. Never."
Liam laughed, slinging an arm around her. "Lightwork. This trial is too easy." Then he shot a glance at Dune. "I'm more surprised Bunny is still alive, though."
Ezra cackled. "You took good care of him, huh?"
Nely puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course! I tried to protect him from... himself."
Ezra frowned. "Wait... what?"
Dune imdiately cut in. "Alright, enough of this. We need to talk. The island is sinking, we don't have ti for all this."
Liam smirked, nudging Ezra. "And when did he get so serious?"
Ezra grinned. "He's trying to act tough in front of Nely."
"Shut up."
anwhile, Nely groaned. "See what I'm dealing with? He's a pain, but trust , he's getting slowly easier to get along with."
Ezra and Liam exchanged glances before breaking into wide grins.
Dune ignored them, his arms crossed. "How did you two even get here?"
Liam answered first. "This weird guy Elijah, we found him. We were about to kick his ass, but then..." He glanced at Elijah, smirking. "We kinda liked him. Decided not to fight. Losing Elijah would've been a sha."
Elijah raised a brow, tilting his head. He clearly rembered that differently. Did they just lie right in front of ? He chuckled to himself but didn't correct them.
"I see," Dune muttered. He exhaled, glancing at everyone in the room. "Let's stay here for now. If we stick together, we'll have a better chance at surviving."
"Alright, boss!" Ezra and Liam said in unison, grinning. "If you say so."
And just like that, their group had grown. For now, they had a place to rest.
Dune sat apart from the others, his back against the cold wall, his arms resting lazily on his bent knees.
Nely laughed at sothing Ezra said, her voice light and familiar. Liam and Ned were arguing about sothing stupid, probably about food again, while Elijah casually leaned back, listening calmly.
Dune's thoughts drifted back, to before the trials, before this hell. His sister and mother's face flickered in his mind, their tired smile and soft voice. Did they make it? Was mom alive? The thought made his chest feel tight.
And then, there was his father, Sam.
Dune's jaw locked as rage swelled inside him like a storm waiting to break. His father, the man who left them. The man who abandoned Ned in the Fein, leaving his little brother for dead.
His blood burned at the mory.
I'm going to kill him.
He thought it, felt it, deep in his bones, in the very core of his being. It wasn't just a fleeting anger. It was a decision. I have enough power to do it now. I don't care what Mom says.
She had always been too kind, too forgiving. But there was no forgiveness for what their father had done. He had gone too far.
Dune exhaled slowly, trying to push down the violent need clawing at his insides. I need him to die.
I will kill him with my own hands.
Reviews
All reviews (0)