" Stop! Hand over your weapons! If you resist we will not hesitate to shoot!" Someone yelled out loudly as soon as Noah and his team entered the gate.
Soon, they were swarmed by dozens of villagers pointing their arrows toward them. Noah was surprised to say the least but he became alert seeing that even the Flame Emperor was among the villagers looking coldly at Noah.
" Uncle! Why are you doing this?" Jake who was carrying Tang shouted seeing his own uncle among the mix.
" Shut up! You don't know anything! Just lower your weapons or we will really..." The middle aged man could bring himself to say the next words.
" Tang is injured! We need Chief's help! Can you guys stop playing around?" Julia said furiously thinking that they were pranking them.
The hunters were always been a rowdy bunch, since it was obvious that they would lose the bet they were resorting to scaring them!
" I-i think that they are serious." Cody whispered into her ears. If they were really playing around, he wouldn't feel muderous intent from them.
Noah thought the same thing, he couldn't see Mera anywhere and there was also signs that these villagers had fought a tough battle and were waiting for them to ambush. He thought about it some more and came to the conclusion that he couldn't risk it.
" Everyone disarm slowly. Follow their instructions and don't try to be smart." Je ordered his team.
There was only two possibilities, one that Flame emperor had somehow gotten hold of the village in everyone' absence. It was plausible because every fighting male and female were out on mission.
If he really took Mera hostage, he knew thse villagers would prioritize her over anything else. After all, without her most of them would die as she was the miracle healer who bound these people together.
Alastair might also be hurt, from what he had seen. He was no match for these sorcerers, if they subdued him together he couldn't even touch them.
Another possibility was what happened to the. earlier. The village might be occupied already and these people were only following orders. There might be more sorceres inside which would make sense since what Noah and his team faced were only regular soldiers.
Either way, Noah couldn't let these kids ger hurt by their own people. He was an outsiders so he could run away or strike back tomorrow when his summoning recharges, these people didn't exactly knew what his powers were whoch gave him an advantage.
"But-"
" Do as I say! We will surrender don't fire!" Noah hurriedly let go of his rifles and lifted up his hands in the air as a show of giving up.
Seeing him, others didn't have any choice. They too reluctantly let go of their weapons. After today's hard battle these weapons were like a part of their bodies, leaving them on the ground was akin to loosing one of their extra arms!
Tang had been sleeping after taking the painkillers, Julia helped with off loading her weapons, she glared at the villagers because they didn't even seem fazed seeing her injured. How could these people that she consider as family turn on them like this?
" Alright! I have enveloped them with my shield! You can go and grab the weapons from the ground!" The Flame emperor used his signature yellowish shield to seperate Noah and other from their weapons.
Two villagers cautiously stepped toward them with their bows stretched. They were not willing to make any concession when it came to everyone's safety.
Watching them like a hawk, they hurriedly picked up the rifles and ammo packs and moved toward the cover again.
Noah carefully watched them, why were they so careful? He couldn't think of anything. He also couldn't feel that Flame emperor was pressuring them, it was more like they were working as a team!
After securing the rifles, more people emerged from their cover carrying thick ropes. Soon, Noah and his team were properly secured and were escorted inside.
Since Julia and Jake kept shouting to help Tang even their mouths were gagged with a piece of cloth. Noah remained silent, Tang wouldn't die since he properly stopped the bleeding.
He knew that Mera powers could even reattach limbs as long as some semblence of life remained in it. Tang's injuries were far less critical, she could easily hold till morning if push came to shove.
What he wanted more than anything was answers. If everything fails, he could use force to make Mera heal Tang. He might have to fight these sorceres again but he was willing to go through the pain for his 'pupils'.
Their team were split apart, everyone was taken to different houses and were barred from speaking to one another. Even their own family members didn't look them in the eye and let the villagers contain them.
Before Noah was out of everyone's view, he shouted loudly telling them not to worry about anything. It made the people that were escorting him hit him in the back, making him groan in pain.
He might have taken volley of bullets and came out fine but armour didn't stop all the impacts. He still have bruises all over his body.
" Keep walking! Don't try to act smart!" They shoved him forward taking him to one of the empty room.
Noah remembered this room, it was the room that he was temporarily staying in. He entered the room to find many people already waiting for him.
Mera, the three elders and even the Flame emperor sat in front of him with expressionless face. Noah was happy for a second seeing Mera was dine but Alastair was no where to be seen.
He opened his mouth but stopped himself from speaking. Their faces told him a lot of things especially the worry in their eyes. Even Mera was looking at him like he was a stranger.
Noah stayed silent waiting for them to make the first move.