Chapter 62 - Back to the Chaos

Something didn't sit right here. I couldn't shake the idea that the people I had just massacred might actually have been evil. But if they weren't, then I had just committed an act I would deeply regret. I needed answers.I got up from the ground and ran to free the semi-humans who were still tied up and scared. They had gone from being abducted to witnessing how I massacred those people. I just hoped the children wouldn't be scarred after today."Take it easy; I came here to help you. Your families are on their way to pick you up," I tried to calm them."Thank you so much, human. We thought no one would come to rescue us," one of the adults said to me.Aeryn, the Skarnil, let out a brief squawk. I looked at her while untying the last of the ropes, and I noticed she was alerting me to the arrival of the semi-humans' cart. Smiling, I turned to everyone and said:"Look! Help is here! It's your families."Some of the children and mothers present wiped their tears away, and their expressions changed from anguish to happiness. "Let's go! My father must be there!" one of the children shouted with enthusiasm. Everyone ran toward the cart, and the semi-humans who had arrived quickly got down, embracing their loved ones with surprise and joy.As I walked back toward Aeryn to grab the reins, I watched that scene of smiles and hugs. It made me genuinely happy and moved to have been able to help them. After a moment, everyone came over to where I was, most of them thanking me for what I did. One of them took my hand firmly and said:"Human, just saying thank you feels like it's not enough. Please, if you ever need us, don't hesitate to reach out."Another added, "Please, accept this money as a thank-you gift."They all spoke at once, while I tried to explain that the money wasn't necessary and that it had been an honor to help. Finally, a semi-human woman approached me humbly and asked for my name."I'm Darius, and I appreciate your words. Please, take your families home; they must be exhausted after all the adrenaline from what happened. But I want you to know something…" I paused, searching for the right words. "This calls for an investigation. I need to know if there are more of these… creatures."The semi-humans exchanged worried glances. "Do you think there could be more?" one of them asked."I don't know. I hope not. But that's why it's important to find out.""Alright, Darius. Don't take any more risks than necessary. We'd appreciate it if you'd let us know if you discover anything," one of them said with concern.I nodded, looking at them all with determination. "Of course. I'll inform you as soon as I know something."They shook my hand again before saying goodbye. The children, full of happiness, ran toward the cart, waving at me as they looked back. I returned the gesture with a smile.I mounted Aeryn and watched the cart one last time as it moved away. I took hold of the reins firmly and ordered her to survey the area. In the distance, I noticed the tracks of the kidnappers' cart and, a little further on, other marks on the ground. I guessed these tracks had been left when those creatures or people had first come to the semi-human village.With no other leads, I patted Aeryn and said, "I need you with me on this, girl. We're going to follow these tracks carefully. If you see anything suspicious, let me know and slow down. It might be dangerous, so stay alert."Aeryn lifted her head and looked at me, as if understanding every word. I smiled immediately. "That's it, girl. Now… full speed ahead!" I gripped the reins tightly, and Aeryn launched forward, speeding along the tracks. The terrain was vast and beautiful. Although somewhat sandy, there was still greenery all around. The sun began to set behind the mountains on the horizon when, suddenly, Aeryn slowed down and let out a quiet squawk."What's wrong, girl? Did you see something?" Focusing my gaze, I could make out a camp in the distance, with a few fires burning. "Damn, Aeryn! You have incredible sight; you must have seen that camp long before I did." The bird let out another soft squawk. "Head for those trees; we'll hide there."A bit further on, there were more trees where I could tie Aeryn while I approached on foot with caution. I dismounted without letting go of the reins and spoke to her seriously: "Listen, here's the plan. I was going to leave you tied up, but I've changed my mind. I need you to stay back and watch my moves. If you see me captured or restrained, go straight to the giant village and deliver this note."I quickly scribbled a short message for Eldrek: "Eldrek, I followed the tracks of a cart. I've instructed Aeryn to deliver this note to you if I get captured. The semi-humans can provide more details; you can count on them." I placed the note in a pouch tied to Aeryn's saddle and said, "Give me a sign if you understand."She looked at me and immediately nodded her head. "Good girl. I'm counting on you." The Skarnil had proven to be intelligent enough, so I trusted her completely as my backup plan.I advanced slowly toward the camp. The sun had already set, and as I got closer, I began to hear movement from within. The trees led directly into the camp, and the low light helped me stay hidden.When I was close enough, I could see more clearly. Several of those same scaly-skinned creatures roamed the area. Some were sitting, eating and talking, while others kept guard. The scene made me uneasy. Now that I knew people were beneath those scales, I couldn't attack without being sure of their nature, at least not until I ruled out the possibility of a spell or control.I moved forward carefully, looking for more details that might give me a clue. The camp was large enough, and I quickly counted around fifty of those creatures. There were probably more.As I watched, crouched and pressed against a tree, I heard a noise behind me. I turned, but before I could react, a beast lunged at me with force.The creature was twice the size of a horse, and though it had the shape of a wolf, its skin was eerily similar to the creatures in the camp; beneath its dark fur, thick scales emerged. In an instant, it lunged to bite me with its enormous mouth full of sharp teeth. I barely managed to hold its jaw with both hands, trying to keep it from reaching me. But its strength was overwhelming, and it threw me onto my back.Before I could react, the wolf exhaled deeply, releasing a dark mist from its jaws. Immediately, my eyes and throat began to burn, and I started coughing uncontrollably. The noise alerted everyone in the camp, and I could hear their footsteps quickly approaching. My vision blurred, and as I sensed the steps getting closer, desperation took over me.Without thinking, a surge of chaotic energy shot out from my hands, and with an explosion, I shattered the beast's head. Bits of it splattered over me as I kept coughing, my throat raw. Unable to see, I began crawling away as fast as I could. My breathing grew heavier and more labored, and I could barely keep my balance.I got to my feet, hands raised defensively, knowing the creatures were likely surrounding me. Their warning shouts echoed as their steps closed in from all sides. I turned constantly, trying to follow the sounds until, suddenly, I felt a brutal blow to the back of my head that knocked me out instantly.— — —When I opened my eyes again, my vision was still blurry, and the burning in my eyes was unbearable, as was the pain in my throat. I could breathe a little better, but each breath felt heavy. I was sitting, tied to a post with my hands bound behind me. I couldn't help but cough, and that sound alerted someone nearby."The guy's awake. Go call the boss," said a rough, dry voice.With effort, I managed to speak, though my voice came out weak and raspy. "Hey… who are you guys? Why did you attack the semi-humans?""Shut up. The boss will be here soon, and he'll probably finish you off," he replied without interest."Oh yeah? And why haven't you done it yourself? Don't you have a mind of your own?" I tried to provoke him, hoping to gauge if they were truly autonomous or simply followed orders."What did you say, you miserable—" I saw his shadow approaching as his heavy steps announced his fury.Fortunately, just as he was about to attack me, another creature stopped him. "What do you think you're doing?" This voice, though equally rough, held a tone of authority. It was clear he was in charge.The creature coming at me growled but stopped without another word, as if holding himself back. The supposed boss stood in front of him, and I, with my head down, only saw their shadows."Leave. Now," he ordered firmly.Without protest, the other creature walked away, emitting frustrated growls. Meanwhile, I struggled to stop coughing, though the effort was pointless. "So… you're the boss," I managed to say.Suddenly, I felt a sharp blow to my temple. The force was brutal, making my head spin as my breathing became even more difficult. I think I started coughing up blood. I don't know how I didn't lose consciousness again.The creature leaned down close to me and said coldly, "Before I finish you off, you're going to tell us everything about yourself… got it?"I spat on the ground, pretending to cooperate. "Sure, but… please…" Every word was painful. "Could I get a bit of water?"Without warning, the bastard punched me in the stomach with the same intensity. A groan of pain escaped my raw, broken voice. I vomited to the side, feeling as though my insides were tearing apart. "You'll get nothing," he murmured, laughing.I heard more laughter around me. They mocked my pitiful state, amused by my suffering. Through the agony, I realized I wouldn't get anything out of them. There would be no mercy. If Aeryn had seen everything, she must have already headed back to the village at full speed. I only hoped I'd been unconscious long enough for her to have made significant progress. Knowing she was fast, I had one plan: buy myself some time and hope they'd come to get me.The bastard got up and grabbed me by my clothes, hauling me up even though I was still tied to the post. Barely able to stand, I struggled to keep my balance."Break this idiot, but don't kill him," the boss ordered. His words snapped me out of my daze, and a surge of dread washed over me. My breathing grew ragged, panic set in, and a fear I hadn't felt in ages flooded through me. I couldn't help but think, I didn't make it… I'm going to die here.I could barely see, but I closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable. The sound of footsteps closing in was torture, and as they reached me, they began taking turns hitting me, laughing as they did. The blows were so intense that I could feel some of my bones cracking under the force. I didn't know how much time passed, but eventually, the pain faded until I was numb. I dropped to my knees, head hanging down, conscious but drifting. I could hear laughter echoing around me, and I felt deep inside that I was slipping away.A fleeting thought crossed my mind, accompanied by a vision. "Selene," I murmured. I could see her, smiling and hugging me tightly. On a bridge… wait… this wasn't just an image; it was a memory. How could I have forgotten it? I thought she was gone when I lost my memory, but here it was, a memory that felt real. I remembered how I had promised her that I would find a way back to her.This sudden clarity didn't come alone. The chaos inside me began to surge with an intensity I hadn't felt since arriving here. Bit by bit, I became more aware of my surroundings. The creatures had stopped hitting me, and I saw their shapes backing away from me, keeping their distance. A rage started to consume me. I stood up, directing the chaos toward my hands, letting it gnaw through the ropes that bound me.I still couldn't see clearly, but one thing was certain: I would let the chaos take over.