The night air felt cold against Roy's skin as they stepped out of the Iron Fang headquarters. The children followed closely, their expressions a mixture of relief and fear, their small feet shuffling through the darkness. Kevin turned his head towards the open sky, his senses heightened as he strained to detect any movement around them. He could hear the distant sounds of the city—the clatter of carts, the occasional bark of a dog—but for now, their immediate surroundings were calm.
"We need to get to a safe place," Kevin said, his voice low but urgent. Roy nodded in agreement, scanning the darkened streets for any sign of activity. They needed somewhere to hide, somewhere to let the children rest before deciding their next move.
As they moved through the narrow alleys, Roy's mind was racing. He knew Maya wasn't among the children, and that gnawed at him. Where had she been taken? What had happened to the other children the boy had mentioned? He forced himself to focus on the present—first, they had to ensure these children were safe.
Roy led them down a winding path, his steps silent against the cobblestone street. He paused for a moment, listening for any approaching footsteps, and then gestured for the children to follow him through a narrow passage between two buildings. Kevin took up the rear, his sword still in hand, ready to defend against any potential attackers.
Suddenly, Roy stopped, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of a shadow moving at the end of the alley. He raised a hand, signaling Kevin to halt. Kevin could sense the tension in Roy's posture, and he turned his head slightly, listening for any sign of danger. The children stood still, their eyes wide as they looked to Roy and Kevin for direction.
Out of the shadows stepped a figure—a young woman with dark hair pulled back into a loose braid, her sharp green eyes catching the faint light. Her clothes were worn but practical, a mix of dark fabrics that allowed her to move silently. Her hands were raised in a gesture of peace. "Wait," she said, her voice soft but urgent. "I'm not here to fight. I'm here to help."
Roy's eyes remained cold as he studied her, his daggers still at the ready. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice edged with suspicion. Kevin turned his head towards the newcomer, his senses picking up her steady breathing, her calm heartbeat. She didn't seem like a threat, but that didn't mean she could be trusted.
"My name is Lila," the woman said, her eyes shifting to the children behind Roy. "I know what the Iron Fang has done. I've been trying to help those they've taken." She took a cautious step forward, her gaze meeting Roy's. "Please, let me help you. I know a place where you can hide. It's not far from here."
Kevin could sense the sincerity in her voice, the lack of deception. He gave a slight nod towards Roy, who hesitated for a moment before lowering his daggers. "Lead the way," Roy said, his eyes still wary. He wasn't ready to trust this stranger, but they had few options. The children needed a safe place, and right now, Lila seemed to be their best chance.
Lila turned, motioning for them to follow her as she led them through the darkened streets. Roy and Kevin stayed close, their senses alert for any sign of trouble. The children followed in silence, their small hands gripping each other for comfort. The group moved quickly, ducking into side streets and alleys, avoiding the main roads where they might be seen.
After what felt like an eternity, Lila led them to a small, unassuming building at the edge of the city. She pushed open the door, revealing a modest room with a few cots and blankets scattered across the floor. "This is a safe house," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "No one from Iron Fang knows about this place. You'll be safe here for now."
Roy guided the children inside, his eyes scanning the room for any potential threats. Kevin followed, his sword still in hand. Once everyone was inside, Lila closed the door, securing it with a heavy wooden bar. She turned to face Roy and Kevin, her expression serious. "I know you have questions," she said. "And I promise I'll answer them. But first, let me take care of the children. They need rest."
Roy watched as Lila moved towards the children, her voice soft as she spoke to them, offering them blankets and guiding them to the cots. He could see the fear slowly fading from their eyes, replaced by exhaustion. Kevin stood beside him, his senses still alert. "Do you trust her?" Roy asked, his voice low.
Kevin hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I think she means well. And right now, we don't have many choices. We need allies if we're going to find Maya and take down Iron Fang."
Roy sighed, his eyes shifting to the children as they settled down to rest. He knew Kevin was right. They couldn't do this alone. If Lila was willing to help, they would have to take that chance.
Once the children were settled, Lila returned to Roy and Kevin, her expression determined. "The Iron Fang has been taking children for weeks now," she said, her voice steady. "They're using them for something—I'm not sure what, but it's dangerous. I've been trying to gather information, to find out where they're keeping the ones they've taken."
Roy's jaw clenched, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Do you know where they might have taken Maya?" he asked, his voice tight.
Lila shook her head, her eyes filled with regret. "Not yet. But I know someone who might. There's a man named Elias—he used to work with Iron Fang, but he turned against them. He's been hiding out in the old district. If anyone knows where they're keeping the children, it's him."
Kevin turned his head towards Roy, his expression thoughtful. "We should go see him," he said. "If he has information, we can't afford to wait."
Roy nodded, his resolve hardening. "Alright. We'll rest here for a few hours, then we'll go find Elias." He turned to Lila, his eyes meeting hers. "Thank you for your help. But if this is a trap..."
Lila shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "It's not. I want to see Iron Fang brought down just as much as you do."
Roy studied her for a moment longer before nodding. "We'll see," he said, his voice cold. He turned to Kevin. "Stay here and look after the children. Make sure they're safe," Roy instructed. Kevin nodded, understanding the need for caution. Without wasting any time, Roy and Lila stepped out of the safe house, the city quieter now, the usual noise of the night subdued. They moved swiftly, Lila leading the way through narrow streets and hidden pathways that seemed to twist and turn without end. Roy kept his daggers at the ready, his eyes scanning every shadow, his senses reaching out into the night.
"Elias is hiding in the old district," Lila said in a hushed tone as they moved. "It's mostly abandoned now, but it's where he knows best. The Iron Fang used to use it for some of their operations, but they've shifted most of their activities to other areas. Elias stayed behind, using it as a refuge."
Roy nodded, keeping his voice low. "What made him turn against them?"
Lila hesitated for a moment before answering. "He saw what they were doing to the children. He couldn't take it anymore. He has a sister... she was taken by Iron Fang years ago. He never found her. When he realized they were still doing the same thing, he decided he'd rather fight back than stay complicit. The truth is, Iron Fang has been kidnapping children for years, but they kept it small enough that no one really noticed." Roy realized that even Kevin wasn't aware of it—he had thought kidnapping children was new for Iron Fang. But it seemed they had been doing this for a long time.
Roy's expression hardened at her words. He could feel the pain behind Lila's explanation, the kind of pain that fueled people to do dangerous things. "Do you trust him?" Kevin asked.
Lila looked back at him, her eyes sincere. "I do. He's risked everything to help. If anyone can give us a lead on Maya, it's Elias."
They moved deeper into the old district, the air growing colder as they approached the crumbling buildings. The area was deserted, the streets lined with abandoned houses and shops, their windows broken and doors hanging off their hinges. It was a place that had long been forgotten by the rest of the city, a perfect hiding spot for someone like Elias.
Lila led roy to a narrow alleyway, stopping in front of a door that seemed barely attached to its frame. She knocked softly, a specific pattern that seemed rehearsed. They waited in silence, the minutes stretching on before they heard the faint sound of movement from inside.
The door opened a crack, and a pair of eyes appeared, scrutinizing them. "Lila?" a voice whispered, cautious and uncertain.
"It's me, Elias," Lila replied, her voice steady. "I brought friends. They need your help."
There was a pause, then the door opened wider, revealing a man with a gaunt face, sunken cheeks, and wary eyes that seemed to have seen far too much. His hair was unkempt, streaks of gray visible despite his relatively young age, and his clothes hung loosely on his thin frame, as if he hadn't had a proper meal in days. He looked at Roy, his gaze lingering on his weapons before he stepped aside, motioning for them to enter. "Come in, quickly," he said, his voice hushed.
They stepped inside, the room small and dimly lit by a single candle. Elias closed the door behind them, securing it with a makeshift latch. He turned to face them, his eyes still wary. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Roy stepped forward, his expression serious. "We're here to take down Iron Fang," he said. "And we need your help. We're looking for a girl named Maya. We were told you might know where they're keeping the children."
Elias's eyes darkened at the mention of the children. He nodded slowly, moving to sit down on a rickety chair. "I might," he said, his voice grim. "But it's not good news. They've moved the children to a place outside the city—an old fortress they call The Shadow Enclave. It's heavily guarded, and they've set traps all around it. Getting in won't be easy."
Roy listened intently, his head tilted slightly as he absorbed the information. "Why are they keeping them there?" he asked.
Elias sighed, his shoulders slumping. "They're using the children for something dark—experiments, rituals. I don't know all the details. They're trying to harness some kind of power, something forbidden. That's why they moved them. They needed a place where no one would find them."
Roy's fists clenched at Elias's words, his anger bubbling beneath the surface. "We have to get them out," he said, his voice tight with determination. "We can't let them keep doing this."
Elias looked at him, his expression weary but resolute. "I want to help you. But you need to understand—The Shadow Enclave is not just any fortress. It's a death trap. If you're going to do this, you'll need more than just determination. You'll need a plan."
Roy nodded, his eyes meeting Lila's. "Then we'll make a plan," he said. "And we'll bring those children back."
Elias studied them for a moment before nodding. "Alright. I'll tell you everything I know. But you need to be ready—this won't be easy. The Iron Fang won't let those children go without a fight."
Roy's gaze hardened, his resolve unwavering. "We're ready for whatever it takes," he said. "We're not leaving without them."