Tamika's heart swelled with gratitude as she looked at Mukoba. "Thank you," she said, her voice sincere. "I don't know what I would have done without your help."
Mukoba waved his hand dismissively. "You don't have to thank me," he said. "I'm just glad I could help. But we need to talk about what's next."
Tamika nodded, her mind racing. She knew they couldn't stay in the cottage forever. Mulenga would find them eventually.
"What do you think we should do?" she asked Mukoba, her eyes seeking his guidance.
Mukoba leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "I think we need to get the crystal to a safe place," he said. "Somewhere Mulenga can't find it."
Tamika's grip on the crystal tightened. "But where is that?" she asked, her voice desperate.
Mukoba's eyes locked onto hers. "I know a place," he said. "But it's dangerous. We'll have to be careful."
Tamika's heart raced as she considered his words. She knew they had no choice. They had to keep the crystal safe, no matter what it took.
"Let's do it," she said, her voice firm.
Mukoba nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I knew you were brave," he said. "Let's get ready. We leave at dawn."
Tamika's eyes widened with concern. "What about McNeil?" she asked Mukoba, her voice laced with worry. "Is he safe? Did he escape from Mulenga's attack?"
Mukoba's expression turned grim. "I don't know," he admitted. "I haven't seen him since the battle. But we need to find him. He's a crucial part of our quest to defeat Mulenga."
Tamika's heart raced with anxiety. She had to find McNeil. She couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to him.
"Let's search for him," she urged Mukoba. "We have to find him before Mulenga does."
Mukoba nodded, his eyes determined. "We'll search the forest," he said. "But we need to be careful. Mulenga's minions are still out there, and they won't hesitate to attack us if they find us."
Tamika and Mukoba set out into the forest, their senses on high alert for any sign of McNeil or Mulenga's minions. They moved quietly, their footsteps muffled by the dense underbrush.
As they walked, Tamika's mind raced with thoughts of McNeil. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She had always felt a connection with him, and now that connection felt strained, like a thread pulled taut.
Mukoba seemed to sense her unease. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, his eyes filled with understanding. "We'll find him," he said softly. "I promise."
Tamika nodded, her throat tight with emotion. She knew Mukoba was trying to reassure her, but she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in her stomach.
After what felt like hours of walking, they came across a clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a massive tree, its branches twisted and gnarled with age.
Mukoba's eyes locked onto the tree, his expression intent. "Wait here," he whispered to Tamika, his voice barely audible.
Tamika's heart raced as Mukoba approached the tree, his movements stealthy and slow. She watched, her breath held, as he examined the trunk, his fingers tracing strange symbols etched into the bark.
Suddenly, Mukoba's head jerked up, his eyes fixed on something in the distance. Tamika followed his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest.
And then she saw it. A figure, tall and imposing, standing at the edge of the clearing. McNeil.
Tamika's heart leapt with relief as she saw McNeil standing at the edge of the clearing. She took a step forward, her eyes fixed on him, but Mukoba's hand on her arm held her back.
"Wait," he whispered, his eyes locked on McNeil. "Something's not right."
Tamika's gaze narrowed as she studied McNeil's stance. He was standing stiffly, his eyes fixed on them with an unnerving intensity.
"Mukoba's right," she whispered back. "That's not McNeil's usual demeanor."
Mukoba nodded, his hand still on her arm. "Let's approach cautiously," he said.
They moved forward slowly, their eyes fixed on McNeil. As they drew closer, Tamika saw that his eyes were black as coal, with no hint of warmth or recognition.
"McNeil?" she called out softly, her heart pounding in her chest.
But he didn't respond. He just kept staring at them, his eyes cold and unyielding.
Mukoba's grip on her arm tightened. "Something's wrong," he whispered urgently. "We need to get out of here, now."
But Tamika was frozen in place, her eyes locked on McNeil's face. She knew that expression, that cold, hard stare. It was the look of someone under Mulenga's control.
Tamika's heart raced as she realized McNeil was under Mulenga's control. She knew she had to act fast, but her legs felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot.
Mukoba's voice was urgent in her ear. "Tamika, we need to leave. Now."
But she couldn't tear her eyes away from McNeil's face. She saw the faintest flicker of recognition in his eyes, a glimmer of the man she knew.
"McNeil," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Fight it. Fight Mulenga's control."
McNeil's expression didn't change, but Tamika saw his eyes flash with a hint of struggle. She knew she had to keep trying.
"McNeil, listen to me," she said, her voice slightly louder. "You are stronger than this. You can resist Mulenga's control."
Suddenly, McNeil's eyes snapped back to normal, and he took a step forward. "Tamika," he said, his voice rough. "Run."
But it was too late. Mulenga's minions emerged from the shadows, surrounding them. Tamika's heart sank as she realized they were trapped.
Mulenga's minions closed in, their eyes gleaming with malice. Tamika's heart raced as she stood frozen, her mind racing for a plan.
McNeil, still struggling against Mulenga's control, lunged forward, his fists swinging wildly. But the minions were too strong, too numerous. They overpowered him, pinning him to the ground.
Tamika's eyes met McNeil's, and she saw the desperation there, the plea for her to escape. She knew she had to act fast, but her legs felt heavy, her body paralyzed with fear.
Mukoba's voice was a gentle whisper in her ear. "Tamika, we need to go. Now."
But she couldn't move, couldn't tear her eyes away from McNeil's struggles.
And then, something inside her clicked. She remembered the earth crystal, still clutched in her hand. She felt its power coursing through her veins, and suddenly, she was filled with a fierce determination.
With a fierce cry, she raised the crystal, and a blast of energy shot out, sending the minions flying. McNeil took advantage of the distraction, breaking free from their grasp.
Together, the three of them made a run for it, the minions hot on their heels. They raced through the forest, the earth crystal leading the way, its power guiding them towards safety.