The plan was set, but we had a lot of work ahead of us. If we were going to make it to the black zones, we'd need to be more prepared than we'd ever been. The first priority, though, was finding James's family and bringing them back to camp. Only after that could we even think about expanding our group and gearing up for the dangers that lay ahead.
We started the morning with a group meeting. As I looked around, I could tell people were nervous but curious. They trusted us to lead, and I didn't take that lightly.
"Alright, listen up," I began. "We've decided to head out on a rescue mission. James's family is currently in a desert zone near Bridgewatch, and we're going to bring them back here safely. After that, we'll be focusing on building a stronger team to eventually make our way to the black zones."
Murmurs spread through the crowd. Some faces showed concern, others a spark of excitement. I noticed a few uneasy glances, but overall, there seemed to be an underlying eagerness for the challenge. Most of them knew what was at stake, and they were willing to risk it to ensure survival.
"Before we go," I continued, "we need to fortify our defenses and improve our current setup. Those of you who aren't coming with us to Bridgewatch, I'll need you to gather resources and keep up the food supply. If we're serious about going to the black zones, we'll need to stockpile as much as we can."
James stepped forward. "The rest of you will continue your combat training. We need more than just gatherers and builders—we need fighters. Those of you who've been working on weapon skills, I want you paired up for sparring sessions. We need you in top shape."
I watched as they dispersed into their respective groups, feeling a strange mixture of pride and worry. People were stepping up, but I couldn't shake the feeling that some of them didn't truly understand the dangers ahead.
Once the preparations were in motion, James and I focused on getting the right gear for the journey to Bridgewatch. We packed enough provisions to last for a week, though we hoped to make it there and back within four days, now that we had the oxen. Those beasts would be a tremendous help, allowing us to carry not only supplies but any additional gear or people we might pick up along the way.
We'd decided on a small party for the rescue mission—just me, James, and two others from our group who had proven to be reliable in combat. We wanted to move quickly and avoid attracting too much attention. We could only hope that James's family would be safe by the time we arrived.
By midday, we set off, the oxen plodding along steadily beside us. The landscape shifted as we moved through the forests, heading south toward the desert zone. The air grew drier, and the trees thinned out, replaced by sand and sparse vegetation. The change was subtle at first, but soon the desert stretched out before us, an endless expanse of rolling dunes.
"We should find some shade soon," one of our companions, Mark, suggested as he shielded his eyes from the sun. "The heat will drain us fast."
"I agree," I replied. "Let's keep moving for now, but we'll take a break under those rocks up ahead."
We pressed on until we reached the cluster of rocks, which provided enough shelter for us to rest and regroup. We took a swig from our water flasks and sat in the shade, studying the map and planning the next part of our route.
"How much farther?" James asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
"About a day's travel," I replied, estimating based on the map. "But it's hard to tell for sure. The desert terrain could slow us down, especially if we run into any trouble."
"I just hope they're okay," James murmured, more to himself than to us.
"They'll be alright," I said, trying to reassure him. "We're moving as fast as we can."
As we rested, I noticed movement in the distance—a small group of figures, too far to make out clearly but close enough to be a potential threat. I motioned for everyone to stay low and quiet.
"Do you think they saw us?" Mark whispered.
"Hard to say," I replied. "But we'll wait here a bit longer. If they're hostile, we'll be ready."
The figures eventually disappeared over the dunes, and we relaxed, though the tension lingered. Encounters like this would only get more frequent as we ventured into more dangerous territories. After a short rest, we resumed our journey, the sand crunching beneath our boots as we pressed on.
The desert seemed to stretch endlessly, but finally, after what felt like an eternity, we spotted a cluster of makeshift tents in the distance. Relief washed over James's face as he recognized the setup—his family was likely there, along with any other survivors they'd found.
We approached cautiously, announcing ourselves as we drew nearer. A few people emerged from the tents, their expressions wary but curious. Then, a woman stepped forward, her face breaking into a smile as she recognized James.
"Mom!" James called, rushing forward to embrace her. The reunion was emotional, and I could see the relief in both of their eyes.
"Thank goodness you're safe," she said, holding him tightly. "We weren't sure if we'd ever see you again."
"We're here to take you back with us," James replied. "We've got a camp set up, and we can provide you with food and shelter. It's much safer than staying out here."
She nodded, introducing us to the others in the group—James's younger sister, a few family friends, and two strangers who had joined them along the way. We quickly explained our situation and the plan to return to our camp. The newcomers looked hesitant but hopeful, clearly aware of the risks but also eager for safety and stability.
"Are you all ready to leave?" I asked, scanning the group to gauge their readiness.
"Yes," James's mother replied. "We've been waiting for a chance to move on. Staying here isn't sustainable."
With everyone in agreement, we began to prepare for the journey back. We loaded up the oxen with supplies and took stock of the remaining provisions. James's family seemed weary but determined, and I could see they had managed to survive thus far with a mix of resourcefulness and grit.
The trip back was grueling. The sun beat down relentlessly, and every step felt like a battle against the heat and exhaustion. We traveled at a slower pace, mindful of the new additions to our group who weren't as accustomed to the harsh conditions.
We made frequent stops to rest, rationing our water carefully. The oxen, thankfully, were as tireless as ever, their steady pace giving us hope that we'd make it back before our supplies ran out.
As we crossed back into familiar territory, the mood began to lighten. The sight of trees on the horizon lifted our spirits, and James's family seemed to relax, knowing they were closer to safety. Finally, we arrived back at our camp, where the rest of our group was waiting. Cheers erupted as they saw us returning with James's family and the newcomers, a sense of accomplishment filling the air.
After a round of introductions and explanations, we set about making everyone comfortable. I could see the relief on their faces as they realized they were no longer alone. The camp felt fuller, more vibrant, and I knew we had taken an important step toward our larger goals.
That evening, we gathered around a fire, sharing stories and talking about the future. For the first time in days, I felt a sense of calm. But I knew it wouldn't last. The black zones awaited us, and we had to prepare for the real challenges ahead.
James and I discussed the next steps quietly, away from the others. "We'll need to start training more people," I said. "We can't take on the black zones with just the two of us. We need a full team."
He nodded, glancing back at his family, who were now settled in and eating. "Do you think they'll be up for it?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"I think so," I replied. "They've survived this long. We just need to give them the tools and training they need to keep going."
As the fire crackled and the camp settled in for the night, I knew that our journey was far from over. We'd come a long way, but the hardest part was still ahead. The black zones were a different beast entirely, and if we were going to survive them, we'd need to be stronger, smarter, and more united than ever.
For now, though, we'd take a moment to breathe. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, we had earned this small victory.
To Be Continued…