The next morning, everyone got up, prepared for the trip. The journey was unforgiving. The road stretched ahead, it wasn't easy for them as Kendrick led the group forward. Dust clung to their clothes, and silence weighed heavier with every step. The land rejected currency, contracts, and titles. Only skill mattered.“This place really sucks. It doesn’t care about who you are,” Bryan said grimly. He had tried using his influence, but it didn't work.“I know,” Kendrick replied. “That’ooooooooooooooooooooos why we’re here.” and then, they walked quietly.Melissa broke the silence first, walking beside Kendrick, refusing to give up. “Kendrick,” she said softly, falling into stride beside him. “I’ve been thinking about everything.” He didn’t look at her.“I never stopped believing in you.”“You stopped standing with me,” he Ooooooooooooooanswered. “You said I wasn't good for you.”“I was afraid.” O“I know I hurt you,” she continued. “But people make mistakes. We could start again, stro

Meanwhile, Jayson and Zara moved seamlessly together.“You take points,” Zara said.“You cover the rear,” Jayson replied.Between battles and exhaustion, something gentle grew.“I didn’t expect this,” Zara admitted quietly.“Neither did I,” Jayson said, smiling. “But I’m glad.”They were all so close to their goal. Just a few obstacles, and they will reach their destination but for now, they are all exhausted.That night, as they camped, Paul sat apart, staring into the fire.“You haven’t asked for anything,” Kendrick said, joining him.Paul sighed. “Because I can’t afford to play games. If this fails, my family loses everything.”“And Bryan and Clinton?” Kendrick asked.“They’re gambling,” Paul replied. “I’m surviving.” he shrugged.From then on, Paul stayed close to Kendrick, offering quiet counsel, fixing broken tools, reinforcing camp defenses without being asked. When a mechanism jammed at the entrance of an ancient ruin, Clinton leaned back.“I can fix it,” he said. “But I’ll ne

Kendrick clenched his jaw but played along. They were really wasting time. “Then why don't you listen to us and see if we really talk big.”Kendrick and his friends were allowed through, though there were still seeds of distrust which still lingered in every glance. Melissa leaned toward Kendrick again.“You see? This world will only make sense to us now. If we get back together, I'm sure the world will know more about us.”“Only to you, if that's what you mean,” Zara snapped.Melissa laughed coldly. “You are behaving as if you have a crush on him and won’t last a day without him. Are you his bodyguard? Should I employ you since you're good at your job”“Hey! Shut up.” Zara snapped.“No, you shut up. That's what you're good at. Always being the least person who doesn't get recognised. It's really a shame.”Kendrick stopped walking. “Enough. Both of you.”The silence that followed was heavy.Later, inside a stone tavern thick with smoke, Kendrick forced himself to smile, to listen, and

The vault lay beyond a guarded ruin, it was protected by guards with weapons who looked like they feed on human flesh.Cherry whispered, “Don’t be scared of them.”“Don't be scared of them you say? Have you seen their faces? They look like they haven't eaten in a long time and if we are not careful, we might be their next course of meal,” Bryan said, horrified with the looks they were receiving.“These people have respect for those that are brave. They don't like cowards or losers who always show how weak they are” Cherry said, looking at Kendrick briefly before turning away looking at Bryan. “So you better wipe that fear away from your face unless you want to be killed.“Who said I was scared,” Bryan huffed, puffing out his chest.Cheery sighed, rolling her eyes as they began walking towards the cave.The cave mouth loomed like a wound in the mountain, breathing cold air into the dusk. Iron torches burned on either side of the entrance. The group could see movement as they raised up

Who are you?” Kendrick asked, marching towards them.Zara and Jayson were confused as they looked between the siblings and then Kendrick.“Is something wrong?” Zara asked just as Adrian's car arrived, followed by Lizzy.“Why is everyone coming back?” Jayson asked but got no reply.Cherry avoided Kendrick’s eyes, while Steven stayed too close to her, whispering in a language no one knew. “Whatever the fuck you're saying to her, say it out loud so that we can all hear you.” Kendrick snapped. He was beyond pissed. Why couldn't he get a moment's rest? They didn't allow him to breathe, and now they were throwing things his way. He just got back from a life and death mission for Christ sake and the least he wanted was rest even if it was for the day not they made it impossible.Zara began to shift from Steven and Cherry along with Jayson when she saw what was happening.“Kendrick, what the hell is happening?” She asked.Stepping forward, Lizzy glared at Cherry and Steven. Her glare was so