Chapter 27: "Shadows of Consequence"

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One hour passed in the cave, and Nix’s wounds had partially healed, thanks to Roni’s Mini Healing Seeds. The pain was still there, his stamina still low, and a dull throb that reminded him of their desperate fight, but it was manageable. Nix closed his eyes, trying to rest, while Roni kept watch, her eyes flitting to the cave entrance every so often. But peace was fleeting.

Suddenly, Nix’s senses spiked, his [Radar] picking up four moving figures at the mouth of the cave. He tensed, every muscle coiling as his hand gripped Morning Wood, the spiked bat ready to swing. Without a word, he activated [HairForm: Silkshade Armor], the dark tendrils wrapping around his body and forming a protective hoodie and mask, fully engaging his defenses.

image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54057871123_514b2e868b_m.jpg]

Roni noticed the shift in Nix’s posture immediately. She reached back, fingers brushing over her quiver of arrows, eyes narrowed as she peered toward the cave entrance. “What is it?” she whispered, her voice low and controlled.

“Four of them,” Nix muttered, his eyes trained on the entrance, the [Radar] mapping out every approaching figure in his mind. “We’ve got company.”

Then, echoing through the cave came a low, mocking laugh, one they both recognized immediately. Rax. “Did you really think you could get away that easily?” Rax already activated his "Endure" as his voice boomed, filled with cruel amusement. The thugs entered the cave’s entrance, weapons in hand, with Rax towering behind them, his great sword gleaming. They had tracked Nix and Roni down; the thug with the crossbow, Thug 3, was not just a fighter but also the group’s tracker. It was no accident that they found the hideout so quickly.

“Thought you’d take a nap, eh?” Rax jeered, stepping forward. “Too bad we’re not done yet.”

Nix didn't waste a second. With a roar, he lunged forward, using [HairForm: String] to propel himself toward Thug 1, the axe-wielder. The thug barely had time to react before Nix’s Morning Wood crashed into his ribs, the spikes tearing into flesh and sending him sprawling back with a howl of pain. But this time, the thugs weren’t taken by surprise, they fought back with a vengeance.

Roni quickly fired a Paralyzing Arrow at Thug 3, hoping to incapacitate the tracker, and this time the arrow struck true, vines erupting and winding around his arms and legs, pinning him to the ground.

Thanks to Nix's [Radar] sight, he was able to detect Rax's attacks in advance and evade them. Although Rax cleverly hid behind his thugs, Nix continued to dodge his deadly strikes while coordinating with Roni using Hunter's Mark for communication. With Roni's help, they focused on keeping Rax out of the battle as they cleaned up the three thugs.

Thug 2, the mace-wielder, charged at Nix with reckless abandon, swinging his weapon in a wide arc. Nix parried the blow with Morning Wood, but the force of it sent shudders through his arms, his still-healing wounds screaming in protest. Gritting his teeth, Nix countered with a swing aimed at Thug 2’s knee, and the thug buckled, dropping to the ground in agony.

Rax seized the opportunity, and even though Nix saw the Great Sword coming toward him, he couldn’t move away in time. The blade aimed for his midsection, but his Silkshade Armor absorbed the impact, preventing the sword from cutting through.

Roni moved with swift precision, using her Hair Vines to swing to a better position above the fray. With a quick motion, she dropped a Trap Seed, the vines rapidly growing to ensnare Thug 1 and yank him to the ground. Within moments, all three thugs were incapacitated, groaning in pain or unconscious.

But Rax was different. He stepped over his fallen comrades with a wicked grin, his eyes glinting as he focused on Nix. “Let’s finish this,” he said, knowing he have 2 minutes left in his [Endure]. His skin shimmered with a metallic sheen, his muscles hardening as he move closer to attack..

Nix braced himself, gripping Morning Wood tightly as Rax swung his great sword down in a powerful arc. The force of the impact rattled Nix to his bones as he blocked the blow, but Rax immediately followed with another strike, and then another. His relentless attacks forced Nix back toward the cave wall. Even with [Silkshade Armor], Nix struggled to keep up, the combined power and cunning of Rax were overwhelming, leaving him no chance to recover his stance.

Roni tried to help, firing arrows aimed at Rax’s legs and shoulders, but each one glanced off his hardened skin, unable to cause much damage against [Endure]. “Nix!” she yelled, desperation creeping into her voice as she watched Rax press in on him.

Nix swung Morning Wood with all his might, but his strikes seemed to only glance off Rax’s body. The exhaustion of the previous fight weighed him down, and his movements grew slower, more labored. Rax, sensing the weakness, swung his great sword in a massive horizontal sweep. Nix blocked it, but the force of the blow knocked him off his feet, sending him crashing to the ground, dazed.

Rax loomed over him, a cruel grin on his face. “You’re done,” he said, raising his sword to deliver the final strike. Nix lay defenseless, every muscle screaming in pain, the world around him blurring as he fought to stay conscious.

The thought of losing Nix filled Roni with a burning rage. Her hands shook as she grabbed the Air-Gun, loaded it with her first magazine of Boom Seeds, and aimed directly at Rax. “Get away from him!” she screamed, squeezing the trigger.

The first Boom Seed shot out of the barrel with a loud whir, hitting Rax squarely in the side. The explosion knocked him back, forcing him to stagger and giving Nix a few more precious seconds. But it wasn’t enough to break Rax, he quickly regained his footing, the [Endure] dulling the pain and damage.

Nix’s eyes fluttered closed as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Roni fired again, her voice a snarl of fury as each Boom Seed blasted into Rax, knocking him back with each shot. But each explosion seemed only to make Rax angrier. He shielded himself with his great sword, using it to brace against the blasts, and each time he pushed forward, closing the distance between them. Roni’s mind raced. How much longer until his [Endure] wears off?

Each second stretched into an eternity as she launched another seed, then another, the explosions reverberating like thunder within the cave's confines. The blasts ripped through Rax, but he pressed on, relentless and unstoppable.

Roni’s magazine was almost empty, just one more round left. She fired the last Boom Seed, and it hit Rax in the chest, sending him crashing back into the cave wall. The air was thick with smoke and debris, and Roni’s hands shook as she reached for her last magazine.

Rax’s grin broke through the smoke as he got back on his feet. “You’re out of ammo, little girl,” he taunted, feeling the last reserves of his [Endure] holding strong. “I’ve still got 1 minutes left, plenty of time to end this!”

Roni’s heart pounded as she fumbled with the Air-Gun, loading the second and final magazine with trembling fingers. Rax’s eyes widened in realization, panic flashing across his face as he rushed toward her, greatsword raised high. But Roni was faster. She aimed, exhaled sharply, and pulled the trigger.

The Boom Seeds erupted from the barrel in rapid succession, each explosion hitting Rax with brutal force. One hit per 10 seconds, one on his shoulder, another his leg, another his chest, each blast breaking through the last of his [Endure] and tearing at his body. Rax tried to shield himself, but the barrage was unrelenting, the explosive rounds finally taking their toll.

The final explosion hurled Rax backward, his [Endure] ended before the last two Boom Seed hit's his body, as he slammed into the cave wall with a bone-crunching thud. He crumpled to the ground, his great sword clattering beside him as he struggled to stay conscious, but the pain and exhaustion finally caught up to him. Roni’s breathing was ragged, her hands trembling as she held the Air-Gun. The thugs were incapacitated, groaning in pain, but alive. The same could not be said for Rax, who lay slumped in the corner, his body eerily still.

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As the dust settled and silence returned to the cave, Roni dropped the Air-Gun to the ground, her hands trembling with adrenaline and fear. The toll of the battle affected both of them, and seeing Nix unconscious, bruised, and bloodied was almost unbearable. She kneeled next to him, embracing his bruised body, stroking his messy hair while tears filled her eyes.

Nix lay on the cold floor, unconscious, but still had breath. Roni hurried to be next to him, falling to her knees and holding his head in her lap. "Nix.... please be okay," she whispered, her voice breaking with worry. After several agonizing moments, Nix stirred, his eyes fluttering open.

"Nix..." She said with a voice that broke, tears falling and shoulders shuddering with silent sobs. Embracing him tightly, she pressed her face into his chest, sensing his weak yet constant pulse. The joy of sensing his heartbeat persisting was overshadowed by the fear of nearly losing him.

“Why… why did it have to be like this?” Roni whispered between sobs. “We were just trying to help someone… to do something good… and I almost lost you.”

Nix moved in her embrace, gradually coming out of unconsciousness as he blinked and opened his eyes. His sight slowly became clearer until he could see Roni's face with tears streaming down, her eyes closed tightly as she held on to him tightly. He felt her tears soaking his chest, and a twinge of remorse cut through the throbbing pain of his injuries. "He Murmured with a hoarse yet gentle voice, "Roni..."

She opened her eyes suddenly and gazed down at him, a combination of surprise and reassurance filling her face. "Nix!" she exclaimed, drawing him nearer as though worried he might escape if she released him. “You're awake... you're okay…”

Nix winced at the pressure on his injuries but managed a weak smile. “Yeah... I’m okay... thanks to you.”

Roni held onto him more firmly, burying her face into his shoulder while her tears flowed. “I... I thought I was going to lose you,” she said, her voice trembling. “I thought… I thought I was doing the right thing. Trying to help people by taking the quest... to do something good. But what good is it if I lose you?”

Nix’s heart ached at the pain in her voice. He lifted a weak arm, wrapping it around her shoulders in a comforting embrace, holding her close. “Hey... it's okay,” he said softly, his voice soothing even as it cracked with exhaustion. “You did the right thing, Roni. You saved me... you saved us.”

“But at what cost?” she choked out, lifting her head to look at him. “I don't... I don't know if I can keep doing this. Helping others... being hunters... it almost got you killed. I don't want to lose you, Nix. I can't.”

Nix’s expression softened as he gently wiped a tear from her cheek. “I know. I know you're scared... and I’m scared too, but you have to pay attention to what I have to say." He softly grasped her face, making her look into his eyes. “It’s not wrong to want to help people. It’s not wrong to want to give others hope. I learned at a young age that hope sometimes comes at the cost of another, whether it’s money, food, property, or even life.”

Roni sniffled, her eyes wide as she held his gaze. “But... what if we're not strong enough? What if next time...”

“Then we get stronger,” Nix said firmly, his voice gaining strength with each word. “We make sure that we have the power to protect each other. To protect the people we want to help. We can’t give hope if we’re not strong enough to hold onto it ourselves.”

Roni looked into his eyes and saw the familiar Nix she had always known, determined, unwavering, and adept at improving situations. She let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly as she clung to him, the panic in her heart slowly subsiding.

“We'll get stronger,” she whispered, her voice steadier now. “We'll be able to do it. To help people... and stay together.”

Nix nodded, leaning his forehead against hers. “Yeah... we will. And next time, no one will be able to take hope from us. Not Rax. Not anyone.”

They remained in that position for quite some time, holding each other tightly and experiencing the comfort of their hug in the chilly, quiet cave. As Roni's tears dried, a new determination grew between them, a commitment to grow stronger as a team, to safeguard one another, and to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.

"Roni..." he murmured, his voice hoarse, but alive. Relief flooded through her, but there was no time for celebration.

They were far from safe.

Nix groaned, slowly standing up. His body ached, but his instincts were sharper than ever. "Rax..." he muttered, casting his gaze toward the man who had tormented them. Roni followed his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn’t ready for what they would discover next.

She moved cautiously toward Rax, her legs shaky. The thugs, though bound, still shouted obscenities, demanding their release. One of them, a thug with a mace, sneered, "You think you’ve won? Rax’s brother is on the Hunter's Bounty Board. He’s one of the top 100. You’ve doomed yourselves!"

Fear gripped Roni’s chest at the mention of Rax’s brother. The thought of their family and friends being implicated terrified her. She knelt down beside Rax’s still body, calling out to him softly, "Rax…?"

There was no answer. She shook him gently, then more urgently. "Rax… please!" Her hands trembled as she pressed her fingers to his neck, searching for a pulse.

Nothing.

Rax was dead.

Roni’s eyes widened in horror. She stumbled backwards, her breath getting caught in her throat. She had killed him. She had taken a life. Her mind raced, disbelief and panic swirling within her. She had never hurt anyone before. The burden of her actions caused her legs to buckle, leading to her collapse on the ground.

"Nix…" she said with a cracked voice, "I... I didn't intend to..."

Nix, seeing Roni’s distress, hurried to her side, his own pain forgotten for a moment. He caught her before she completely crumpled, holding her close. "It’s okay… it’s okay, Roni. I know you didn’t mean for this to happen." His voice was soft, trying to soothe her, but even he knew the gravity of the situation.

One of the thugs noticed the look of horror on Roni’s face and sneered, "Oh, this is rich. You killed Rax. Now you’re really in trouble." The thug grinned wickedly. "Rax’s brother isn’t just a top hunter. He’s rumored to be part of a terrorist group. You’ve just signed your death warrants."

Nix's expression turned serious upon hearing the thug's words. The understanding of their actions started to sink in. They were in serious trouble, and the thugs were planning to exploit this situation to their advantage. His heart ached for Roni, who was still shaking in his embrace, but he knew what had to be done.

The thug, sensing their fear, continued, "If you let us go, we might keep quiet about what happened here." Or maybe we will… who knows?" He laughed cruelly. "Either way, you’re screwed."

Nix’s eyes narrowed. He could see the deception in the thug’s eyes. They had no intention of keeping quiet. If they were released, they would spread word of this incident far and wide, seeking revenge. Nix knew there was only one way to ensure that they wouldn’t suffer for this, at least to buy them time to get stronger.

He stilled his heart, knowing what had to come next.

Gently, he pulled Roni closer, his voice calm and steady. "Roni… listen to me." He wiped the tears from her face, his eyes full of resolve. "Hope has a cost. What I’m about to do… it’s also a price of Hope that we should always try to avoid."

Before Roni could fully process his words, Nix stood, his body tense with determination. He looked down at the thugs, their mocking faces now showing a hint of fear as they saw the cold resolve in Nix’s eyes. Without a word, Nix extended his hair, transforming it into a sharp, transparent spear.

"Wait! No! You can’t!" one of the thugs shouted, panic rising in his voice.

But it was too late.

With swift precision, Nix’s [HairForm: Spear] shot out, piercing the thug’s heart in one smooth motion. The other thugs’ eyes widened in horror, but they could do nothing, tied up as they were. One by one, Nix silenced them, his heart heavy but resolute. He did what had to be done.

Roni, still in shock, watched as Nix carried out the act. She didn't regain her voice until the final thug took his last breath. "Nix…" she whispered, her heart heavy with the weight of everything that had just happened.

Nix turned to her, his face weary but determined. He kneeled next to her, grasping her hand. "I’m sorry, Roni. I know this wasn’t what you wanted. But we need to protect ourselves… and those we love."

Roni nodded slowly, her body trembling but her mind beginning to steady. She knew he was right. They had to survive. They had to protect their families, no matter the cost.

After a long, quiet moment, Nix helped Roni to her feet. The cave was eerily silent now, save for the distant sound of the wind outside. Nix looked toward the entrance and then back at Roni.

"Collapse the cave," he said softly.

Roni blinked, still processing, but nodded. She reached for her bow, notching multiple Boom Arrows. With trembling hands, she aimed at the weak points in the cave’s formation and fired arrows in succession. The explosions echoed through the empty space as the ceiling began to crumble. Dust and debris filled the air, but they didn’t stop.

They left the crumbling cave together, leaving the chaos behind them. As the entrance finally gave way, sealing off the cave and the bodies within, Roni let out a long, shaky breath.

Nix turned to her, his voice soft but firm. "No one can know what happened here. We’ll carry this with us… but we’ll keep moving forward. For our Hope."

Roni nodded, her eyes glistening with tears, but a newfound resolve in her heart. "For Hope," she echoed.

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With the cave sealed behind them and their fates intertwined more than ever, Nix and Roni stepped back into the wilderness, knowing that their path had just become infinitely more dangerous.