The night air was colder than usual, biting against Yeon-ah's skin as she, Juna, and the woman followed Calen through the narrow streets. The distant growls of the Devourers were a constant reminder that they weren't far from danger, but there was something unsettling about the man leading them. Despite his claims of help, Yeon-ah's instincts screamed to remain on guard. Trust was a rare commodity in this world, and she wasn't about to give it freely.
The woman's eyes never left Calen's back, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as they moved through the maze of ruins. Yeon-ah could feel the tension between them all—thick and palpable, like a storm waiting to break. Juna, on the other hand, remained quiet, her eyes distant as she trudged along, clearly still shaken from their recent encounters.
"Where exactly are you taking us?" Yeon-ah finally asked, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, but her yellow eyes bore into the back of Calen's head.
Without turning to face her, Calen answered, "A safehouse. There's a group of survivors not far from here. People like us, who've fought the Devourers and survived. They've been preparing… for what's coming."
Yeon-ah exchanged a glance with the woman, her suspicions only growing. "And what exactly is coming?"
Calen hesitated, his steps slowing for just a moment before he continued. "The Devourers aren't just mindless beasts. They have a purpose, and they've been gathering—organizing. There's something controlling them."
The woman's hand tightened on her sword, her gaze narrowing. "You're saying someone is controlling the Devourers?" Her voice was sharp, skeptical.
Calen nodded, his pace still steady as they turned a corner, entering what seemed like an even more desolate part of the city. "Not someone. Something. I don't know all the details, but the survivors I've been with… they've seen things. The Devourers act with a purpose, and it's only a matter of time before they attack in numbers we can't handle."
Juna flinched at his words, her small frame trembling slightly as she tried to keep up. Yeon-ah could see the fear in her eyes, the uncertainty.
"Why should we believe you?" Yeon-ah's voice was low, but there was an edge to it now. The last thing they needed was to walk into a trap.
Calen finally stopped, turning to face them. His face was illuminated by the dim light of the moon, and the scars across his skin seemed to tell a story of survival and loss. "Because if I'm lying, you're welcome to kill me. But if I'm telling the truth… we might have a chance to fight back."
The silence that followed his words was heavy, filled with the weight of their doubts. The woman's eyes never wavered, her grip still firm on her sword, ready to strike at any sign of deception.
"Where is this safehouse?" Yeon-ah asked after a moment, her gaze unwavering.
"Not far now. Just through here," Calen said, gesturing to a narrow alleyway up ahead.
Yeon-ah's instincts flared again, a cold shiver running down her spine as she glanced at the alley. The shadows seemed too deep, too still. She exchanged a glance with the woman, who gave a small nod. They were ready for anything.
As they approached the alley, the tension grew thicker, every step feeling heavier than the last. Calen moved ahead, his steps sure and steady, but Yeon-ah couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Her yellow eyes flicked to the darkened windows of the crumbling buildings around them, searching for any sign of movement.
Just as they entered the alley, a sharp noise cut through the silence—a soft rustling, followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps. Yeon-ah's heart leaped in her chest, and her hand flew to her sword.
"Get ready," the woman muttered, her voice low but firm.
The shadows shifted, and out of the darkness came several figures, their forms barely visible in the faint light. Yeon-ah's pulse quickened, her sword already drawn as she took a defensive stance beside the woman.
"Who's there?" Calen called out, though there was no fear in his voice.
The figures stepped closer, revealing themselves to be a group of men and women—worn and ragged, but armed and alert. One of them, a tall man with a long scar across his cheek, stepped forward, his eyes locked on Calen.
"You made it," the man said, his voice deep and gravelly. He glanced at Yeon-ah and the others, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And you brought friends."
"Survivors," Calen replied. "They've fought the Devourers. We could use them."
The tall man's gaze lingered on Yeon-ah, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he nodded. "We could use anyone who can fight."
Yeon-ah didn't relax, her body still tense, her mind racing as she took in the group before them. She wasn't sure if they had just found allies… or walked into another dangerous situation. But for now, there was no choice but to follow the path ahead.
The group led them further into the alley, eventually reaching a hidden entrance that led down into the earth. The safehouse, as Calen had called it, was buried deep beneath the city, away from the prying eyes of the Devourers or any other threats.
As they descended, the air grew colder, and the weight of their journey settled even heavier on their shoulders. They needed answers. And this place, with its hidden survivors and the promise of knowledge about the Devourers, might just provide them.
Or it might lead to their doom.