Chapter LXIX
Into the Woods
As they were about to leave the lands surrounding Landica Prison, Adriaas felt her energy wane, and almost as if she had willed it into existence, they encountered a healer. Clad in a camouflaged uniform with green and brown patterns, a short man wearing a mustache crossed paths with them.
“Gruvin!” Miveria called out. “We need your healing skills.”
The man’s initial excitement fizzled out as he noticed the grim expressions on their faces. His gaze falling upon Adriaas, who remained unaware of her own appearance.
“Oh, my dear, give me a moment,” he said, signaling them to halt as he focused on her. “What’s your name? I need to attend to you before we go any further. You’ve become my patient now, no questions asked.”
Gruvin handed Adriaas two pills, one purple and one orange. Before she could consume them, he offered her a canteen filled with fresh water. Adriaas eagerly accepted, ready to drink the precious, purified liquid.
“These are an Enhancer and a Heluraten. They’ve been tested and should provide you with enough energy and molecular repair until we return to the camp.”
As they prepared to leave, a distant voice echoed, “They’re coming! We got our response!”
Worry filled their group, and they knew they had no time to waste. They began running, propelled by urgency.
Adriaas immediately felt the effects of the enhancer. Each step awakened her body from a prolonged, torturous slumber. Her muscles warmed up and regenerated, accelerating the process of development. She effortlessly kept pace with the others.
Impressed by her response, Adriaas asked, “How did you get these? I feel better than I have in months.”
Gruvin showed a proud grin.
“El Mercado, it’s my butter and bread, a favorite place in Imperia. Some sellers have quite an array of prohibited items worth many troubles. You should be fine for now. Recovery will take time. Don’t rush the process.”
It was as if the dark days in their cell were nothing more than nightmares, and Adriaas had just awakened. Her trembling arms ceased, and her legs regained their strength. Walking had become an arduous task after months in that cage, as their meager diet couldn’t sustain their muscles. But now, she could run—almost like in a dream. However, that fantasy shattered when she tripped on the roots of a tree, falling face-first and breaking her nose once again.
Blood gushed out in seconds, and the rest of the group rushed to help her. Adriaas felt foolish; it was the last thing they needed.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Gruvin said with caution. “The pills are only a temporary measure. Your body is still fragile and your reflexes slow. Be still.” Without hesitation, he adjusted her broken nose, giving her a new pain to endure.
Elchome offered to carry Adriaas on his back, and she accepted unwilling to slow them down any more, she clinged to him. With a bandaged nose, she lay on his shoulder, feeling the breeze against her skin as the group continued running.
The rhythmic sound of their footsteps lulled Adriaas into the deepest sleep she had experienced since her capture. She awoke to complete darkness, unable to discern her surroundings.
“Where are we?” she asked, her voice groggy from sleep. For a moment, she forgot about their perilous situation and the past few months. “It’s cold. Let’s go inside.”
“Shhh!” three voices hushed her simultaneously.
Elchome was the one to explain.
“We’re at the old camp, and been followed. The plan is to avoid them, can’t reveal the silver camp’s new location; it could compromise everyone.”
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She said nothing else, fearing recapture Adriaas held tighter to the man’s neck.
They pressed on, their movements careful and stealthy, disappearing into the shadows as they had been trained to do in Capahuento. Elchome matched the pace without an issue, impressing Adriaas with his strength and determination.
Amidst the ceaseless motion, Adriaas’s mind became a whirlwind of thoughts. The weight of guilt pressed down on her, exacerbated by the loss of Vulnic, Indictur, and now Pemula. Her recklessness had cost lives, the image of Pemula’s state in broad daylight, and that she hadn’t even noticed when she passed away, haunted her.
Lost in her self-blame, Adriaas was abruptly snapped back to reality. Elchome and the others came to a sudden halt, tension radiating through their bodies. As she rose to survey the source of their alarm, a colossal column of fire loomed ahead, surrounded by countless smaller flames.
Miveria had her gaze fixed on the foreboding scene. The raging inferno consumed everything in its path, casting an ominous glow. Elchome tightened his grip on Adriaas’s legs and took the lead in a new direction.
“Let’s move. This version of Silver Camp is gone. Remaining here is not an option. Elkrachets went berserk as expected, causing the fire to reach here. We are unaware of the size of their forces tonight. They may send search parties to locate any survivors. We must hurry.”
Vanishing into the cloak of night, Raxae, Miveria, and others ran for a while. Adriaas remained silent, straining her ears for any sounds that might suggest pursuit. After half an hour of sprinting, they came upon a group of figures in the darkness.
They halted once more, ready to fight, except for Adriaas, who could only observe the unfolding scene. A woman stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension.
"Ohhh, hold up, we’re on the same side. It’s Jebara!" a known voice said. Someone lighted an orb of light and revealed the group of people walking towards them from the shadows.
Elchome’s muscles relaxed, and he addressed Adriaas for the first time since he had lifted her. "I’ll put you down to stretch, if that’s okay."
She was touched by his kindness, stepping down and embracing him. "You’re a beacon of light in this darkness, Elchome. All of you, thank you for saving me."
Her words were met with equal gratitude before the two groups converged, forming a united front of fifteen. Jebara, whom Adriaas had met during her approval to join the camp, took charge.
"This was a trap all along," Jebara spoke with Elchome, exhibiting regret in her voice. "Furkan Elkrachets knew everything. They used the prison break as a diversion while they ambushed the camp. It wasn’t about arresting us; it was about exterminating us. We saw them coming. Our scouts alerted us when they glimpsed them leave various bases. We had hours to react. With our best fighters gone, our focus shifted to evacuating. We divided our forces and sent them to emergency locations."
"What now? We are at your disposal. Set a target and we’ll take it," Raxae had found a resolution, prepared for vengeance.
Jebara’s eyes shone with determination as she absorbed the resolute spirit of her comrades. "The battle is not yet over. Today, we have lost valuable lives, but our strength endures. We must now divide into smaller groups, each heading towards a different faction. Stay on the move, reach those who have already departed," she declared, projecting her voice as more rebels emerged from the shadows, joining their ranks. "Please, remain silent and listen."
Among the campers, there were those who had also belonged to the Silver faction, and following Jebara’s orders, came naturally to them.
Elchome kindly offered to carry Adriaas once more, and she gratefully accepted. As they ascended, the sight of their swelling numbers, now reaching a few hundred, infused her with renewed hope. Clinging tightly to her friend, she prepared to follow the forthcoming instructions.
"Gather around, everyone. We will divide into groups, distinguished by different colors. The selection will be random, so come forward and choose yours." Jebara pointed to the nearby fields, where more rebels positioned themselves. "The color you pick will determine who you’re going with. We’ll move members if needed to organize numbers. Hurry, our nightshadows are keeping watch, but I cannot guarantee they will hold off the Elkrachets."
The questions Adriaas' had in mind were addressed by their leader, preempting any concerns. After following Jebara’s instructions, the rebels organized themselves, bringing order amidst the chaos.
"Hey, take this," Gruvin said, handing her a shiny pink pill. "Your body needs to be prepared."
Adriaas accepted the pill and swallowed it with some water, grateful for the replenished provisions. "Thank you."
"We need you at your best," the healer hinted at the battles that lay ahead.
As she surveyed the surrounding faces, Adriaas saw a mixture of despair, disappointment, but also hope and excitement. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they shared a common enemy—Sabina and the Elkrachets.
Soon, they were divided into nine groups, each assigned an identifying color displayed on pre-made armbands provided by the council. Miveria, Raxae, Elchome, Gruvin, and Adriaas instinctively chose the silver faction. It was the largest group, led by Jebara, and the first to depart on their arduous journey.
With tearful farewells, they embarked on a treacherous path. Their group of sixty souls ventured into the depths of the dense forest, embracing an uncertain night.
****
See you in "Chapter LXX - Confrontation of Forces".
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