"If you're hiding anything, I guarantee you won't survive until the third day."
The threat hung in the air, heavy and cold.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart that felt like it was about to burst.
My gaze shifted to Diego, standing firm with his jaw clenched, giving me a subtle signal to tread carefully.
On the other side, Ayla looked uneasy.
Her body was tense, and her eyes reflected clear worry.
There was no other way.
If we kept hiding the truth, this conflict would only escalate.
"Alright..." My voice came out steadier than I expected, though my heart was in turmoil.
I stepped forward, standing beside Diego, who still looked ready for anything.
"Listen carefully."
I began recounting everything, starting from the first moment I received a whisper that led me to the underground station, setting everything into motion.
That voice—guided us to a place full of danger.
We had no idea what we'd encounter, only following its clues in the hope of finding answers.
There, we were forced to face the queen of the Voraxes' guards, an incredibly powerful foe, a battle we never anticipated.
Then I told them about the strange vision I had during the fight—a vision that placed me in the middle of a war between the elves and the Voraxes.
In that vision, I saw the queen's weakness, a vulnerable spot we could exploit only if we acted quickly.
"We had no other choice," I continued, my voice heavier this time.
"We had to fight and kill her. It wasn't an easy decision, not something we wanted. But the situation gave us no other option."
Ayla, who had only joined us after everything had happened, listened intently, her expression full of focus.
I could feel her trying to process everything I was revealing, trying to make sense of how it all unfolded.
I went on, explaining how I took the seed of the World Tree, now bound to me.
I then described my abilities—the whispers that guided me and the visions that only emerged after the battle with the queen.
I explained that it wasn't a choice but a consequence of our actions.
"If I could choose," I said, meeting Kael's doubtful eyes,
"I wouldn't want this."
I paused for a moment, watching Kael.
His expression began to shift as I delved deeper into the story.
His fingers tightened around his bow, more out of confusion than anger, it seemed.
"I know it's hard to believe," I added quietly.
"But this is the truth. This is what we're dealing with."
Kael stayed silent, but I could see his mind working, trying to process everything I had just told him.
Inwardly, I could only hope my explanation was enough to prevent a bigger disaster.
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Kael frowned, clearly not believing me.
"You're saying your ability allowed you to see the elf war? That's how you knew the queen's weakness?"
I nodded slowly, keeping my expression serious, just like I had when I explained it earlier.
"Yes. That's what made me know what to do to defeat her." I took a deep breath, realizing there was no longer any room to hide the truth.
His eyes narrowed, filled with doubt.
I knew this wouldn't be easy to accept, but I had to explain everything.
"I've been honest with you," I continued, my voice heavy.
"Believe it or not, that's up to you. But this seed is still bound to me. You can see it for yourself."
Without hesitation, I threw the seed out of the safe zone, letting it hover in the air, thick with tension.
In an instant, Kael's expression changed.
His eyes now radiated a new threat, his hand quickly pulling out his bow, the energy at its tip glowing brightly—strong and deadly.
But I remained silent, just holding my breath.
"See for yourself." I raised my hand, showing him the seed, now back in my grasp.
"This seed came back, as if forcing me to purify it."
I clenched my fist, feeling the dark power pulsing from within the seed.
"No matter how badly I want to release this thing, I can't... until its corrosion is cleansed."
Kael stared at me, his expression unreadable.
Confusion flickered in his eyes, mixed with a more complex feeling.
I could feel him torn between relief that the seed was still safe and uncertainty about what had really happened.
He lowered his bow, but not completely.
The tension in the air remained, like a spark of electricity ready to ignite at any moment.
His gaze remained probing, searching for lies in my words, but finding none.
"What if I kill you?" Kael asked, a thin smile playing on his lips.
"Wouldn't the seed be taken just like you killed the queen?"
Now, Kael's emotions were different.
There was no longer the deep intent to kill as before, just curiosity.
He was testing my limits, trying to figure out whether I could be controlled or not.
His emotions were colder and more enigmatic, as if measuring who would break first.
Behind me, Diego stepped forward hurriedly, looking agitated.
"What's going on?!" he exclaimed, intending to protect me.
Ayla, on the other hand, was already on alert, her body tense, ready to act.
I could feel the rising tension between us.
I raised my hand, signaling them to calm down.
"Diego, Ayla. Calm down." I stepped forward, moving closer to Kael.
My voice was firm, though my heart was pounding a little faster.
This wasn't just a physical test, it was a mental one.
"You can try." My voice was low but firm.
I didn't take my eyes off him.
A small smile tugged at my lips, though my heartbeat quickened.
"But are you really sure that's the wise move?"
I let the silence hang for a moment before continuing, my tone now cold.
"You think my vision ability is the only thing I have? I've already reached tier 3. If you really want to test my power, I won't back down."
Kael didn't seem surprised, but there was a subtle shift in his gaze—perhaps a respect that he didn't want to admit.
Diego and Ayla behind me were shocked by my words, but I knew they trusted me enough not to interfere.
Kael slowly lowered his bow, maybe because he was beginning to feel that I wouldn't just back down like that.
But he still wasn't completely letting go.
I took another step closer, my body slightly leaning forward, giving the impression that I wasn't afraid.
"We've made a party. And admit it, you need us at least to face the second phase. After that, you can do whatever you want to me. I'll deal with you." My voice was low and resolute, no hesitation whatsoever.
Kael fell silent, staring at me intensely.
The tension in the air slowly faded, replaced by a thick silence.
A few seconds felt like hours.
Finally, I turned without waiting for his answer.
"Diego, Ayla. Let's go." My steps were steady, leaving Kael behind.
Ayla quickly followed, while Diego still looked uncertain before eventually catching up.
I knew this wasn't over.
Kael wouldn't be easily convinced, but for now, at least, we were still moving in the same direction.
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Diego, who had seemed restless all this time, finally called out to me.
"Kai..."
I turned, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Yeah?"
He looked at me, hesitant, as if weighing what he wanted to say.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low, but there was a genuine concern there.
I gave him a small smile, though deep inside, I knew that smile wasn't entirely sincere.
"I'm fine, Diego. Don't worry."
His gaze stayed on my face, as if looking for signs that I was lying.
But eventually, he nodded slightly, choosing not to press further.
I knew he was anxious, but I also knew that if I showed any doubt, it would only make things harder for them.
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The safe zone was filled with other parties, each taking the areas they deemed most strategic.
From where I stood, I could see Dirga's party, which occupied the back of the area.
They had a large, sturdy building—clearly comfortable enough to house all their members.
There was activity there, some people were busy carrying equipment, others were making final preparations before nightfall.
On the other side, Bram's party chose the right corner of the safe zone.
Their large tents stood there, creating something like an open camp.
Though simple, they seemed pretty organized.
Small lanterns hung around the area, casting a warm light, protecting them from the darkness of the night that was beginning to settle in.
Meanwhile, we got the left corner.
A small area, with the only shelter being an old, decaying wooden shop.
It might have been a place that once sold fish—faint traces of salty smell still lingered on its walls.
The building looked fragile, as if it could collapse at any moment if a strong wind blew.
I stood in front of the shop's door, staring at it with a blank expression.
Inside, I wondered if this would be enough for us to survive the night.
"This is the only place we have," I muttered more to myself, before slowly pushing the wooden door open.
The loud creak echoed, like a complaint from a building that no longer wished to be inhabited.
Ayla and Diego followed behind me, their steps cautious.
Ayla stopped at the corner of the room, her gaze distant.
I could feel her mind drifting somewhere, probably imagining a better place to sleep tonight.
I checked the time on my screen system, 7:00 PM.
There was still time to make this place a little more bearable.
"We need to clean this place up. At least make it comfortable enough to sleep in," I said, lifting one of the empty barrels that lay in the corner.
Diego and Ayla immediately moved to help, clearing out the barrels and old crates scattered around.
The sound of creaking wood echoed through the room, as if waking up memories from this building.
After a while, we managed to clear the room a bit.
Uncomfortable, but at least enough for two people to sleep.
As the night grew later, we decided to have dinner with the supplies we had.
Not much, just some cold canned corn soup we had found earlier in the underground station.
No fire to warm it up, but it was enough to fill an empty stomach.
I sat in the corner, watching Ayla eat slowly, while Diego quickly finished his soup.
His anxiety was still evident, even though he tried to hide it.
After finishing, I stood up, tidying the empty cans into a corner of the room.
"You two rest," I said while reaching for the jacket I'd also found.
"I'll stand guard outside."
Diego immediately cut in, his voice firm.
"I'll stand guard. You need rest."
I raised my hand, stopping his protest.
"We'll take turns later, after five hours. Starting at ten. So, now it's your turn to rest."
He looked like he wanted to argue again, but I threw him a small smile, trying to reassure him.
"Trust me, if anything happens, I'll wake you up."
Finally, Diego gave in.
He sighed heavily before heading into the room with Ayla.
I stood alone outside, taking a deep breath.
The night air felt cold, biting at my skin, but somehow, it also gave me a sense of calm.
The dark sky above me was dotted with stars, like shards of glass scattered across a velvet cloth.
The beauty of it felt ironic, considering the chaos surrounding me.
I prepared myself, staying alert, though I knew tonight might be longer than I had hoped.
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66:40:39
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Inside the small wooden room that had now become our shelter, the atmosphere felt heavy.
Silence hung in the air, only broken by the occasional creak of old wood being blown by the night wind.
Ayla sat in the corner, leaning against the wall with a blank stare, her face showing exhaustion that wasn't just physical, but emotional as well.
Diego sat not far from her, glancing at her with a worried expression, but seemed hesitant to start a conversation.
He seemed like he wanted to comfort Ayla, but it was as if he was afraid his words might only add to her burden.
The silence stretched for a while before Ayla finally spoke.
Her voice was soft, almost like a whisper, but enough to break the stillness.
"I'm sorry... I'm a burden, I always bother you guys."
Diego turned quickly, clearly surprised by that statement.
"Stop saying that," he said gently, though there was a firm tone in his voice.
"You're not a burden to us, Ayla. We're here to help each other."
Ayla gave a small smile, though it looked forced.
"Sometimes I feel… if I weren't here, maybe you guys would have an easier time surviving."
Diego shook his head vigorously.
"Don't say that," he said, trying to erase the negative thoughts that might have settled in Ayla's mind.
He rummaged through his small bag, pulling out a worn cloth he had brought, then offered it to Ayla.
"Take this. It might not be much, but at least it'll keep you warm."
Ayla hesitated before taking it, holding the cloth as if it was the only comfort in a world that now felt so harsh.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Diego gave a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.
"By the way, Ayla, before all this chaos, what were you doing? Did you see the planet alignment phenomenon like we did?"
Ayla nodded slowly.
"Yes... I saw it. Until the earthquake hit, and then everything went wrong. Before I realized it, I was trapped under debris." Her voice was flat.
Diego nodded slowly, appreciating Ayla's openness.
He tried to dig a little deeper, though cautiously.
"Your name, Ayla Moreau… it doesn't sound like a local name. You're not from here, are you?"
Ayla shrugged lightly, a faint smile on her face.
"That's the name my parents gave me. And no, I'm not from here. I used to live in Palu, Sulawesi."
Diego looked slightly surprised.
"Palu?" he asked slowly, then added carefully,
Ayla's expression shifted, her small smile fading.
But she still answered, though in a soft tone filled with sadness.
"Do you know about the tsunami in Palu?" she asked.
Diego fell silent, unsure of what to say.
He opened his mouth, then closed it again, not wanting to say the wrong thing.
Eventually, he just murmured softly,
"I'm sorry… I…"
"It's okay," Ayla interrupted with a faint smile.
"At that time, my family lived near the beach. When the earthquake hit, the tsunami followed. I… I was the only one who survived."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up those memories," Diego said finally, his voice full of guilt.
Ayla shook her head gently.
"You don't need to apologize, Diego. That happened a long time ago. But… maybe because of that, every time an earthquake happens, I feel like I lose control. I can't think clearly." She paused, took a deep breath, then continued,
"And that's when I got trapped. Silly, huh?" she said finally, letting out a small laugh, trying to lighten the weight of the feelings pressing on her chest.
Diego looked at her seriously.
"It's not your fault, Ayla," he said.
"What you went through is enough to make anyone feel that way. Don't blame yourself."
Ayla looked at him for a moment, then smiled faintly, this time more genuinely.
"Thank you, Diego."
He tried to change the subject.
"Now it's my turn to ask. You and Kai, have you been friends for a long time?"
Diego looked relieved at the change of topic.
"Kind of. Since middle school, so about six years. Kai… he's stubborn, but he's a good friend."
"Then why did you become friends with him?" Ayla asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"I've noticed your attitude toward Kai is the complete opposite. You're much more open, much easier to talk to."
Diego paused for a moment, his eyes seeming to wander as if searching for the right answer.
His face shifted slightly, not like usual, more serious and full of meaning.
"Ah, that's because..." he said slowly, his voice softening,
"When I first saw him..." Diego stopped.
"Sorry, I can't really talk about it. I promised Kai I wouldn't bring it up. I hope you can understand," Diego gave a small smile, as if asking Ayla to understand.
Ayla nodded in understanding, not pressing him.
"Nah, it's fine.... you're a good friend, Diego," she said softly.
Diego smiled slightly, though there was a shadow passing through his eyes.
"I just wish I could help him more."
Silence fell over them again, only the soft sound of the wind outside could be heard.
After a moment, Ayla took a deep breath and said,
"I'd better rest. You too, Diego. You'll stand guard, right? You should get some sleep now."
Diego nodded, though he looked uncertain.
"Are you sure it's okay if I rest for now?"
Ayla nodded firmly.
"Yes, don't worry."
Diego nodded quietly, as if just realizing that he too needed some rest.
"Alright,"
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I sat on an empty barrel, gazing at the night sky filled with stars.
A strong wind blew, brushing against my face and tousling my hair, sending a cold sensation that pierced through my skin.
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm my thoughts, but the suffocating feeling remained, inevitable.
Why can I feel other people's emotions?
And now, that feeling comes to me again.
An emotion so strong, so clear, so painful. The emotion coming from Diego.
Even though he never showed it to me, I could feel it clearly.
Restlessness, anxiety, and most of all—a deep sense of guilt.
But why?
What does he have to feel guilty about?
For what?
Why does he keep these feelings hidden from me when nothing has happened between us that should make him feel that way?
I looked up, trying to dispel that feeling by staring at the stars scattered across the night sky.
But nothing could erase my unease.
Nothing could explain why that guilt continued to haunt me.
I sighed deeply, trying to calm myself, but the more I tried to find an answer, the more I felt trapped in my own confusion.
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There was nothing unusual during my watch.
In fact, even though I thought Kael would return to finish me off, he never showed up.
The atmosphere around me felt still, as if time was moving slower than usual.
Five hours had passed since I started my watch, and now the clock showed 2 AM.
Carefully, I entered to wake Diego, who had fallen asleep.
"Diego..." I whispered, gently touching his shoulder.
"It's time for your shift."