Free Web NovelChapter 216: Desperate Escape (1)
In the dimly lit corner of their makeshift hideout, Lova and Shinon huddled together, their voices hushed.
Shinon and Lova sat at a makeshift table; the surface was cluttered with scattered maps, documents, and various supplies given to them by Malakai as a symbol of trust.
While Shinon seemed unaffected by everything Malakai had told them, it wasn’t the same with Lova. Even though Shinon had made the decision, she wasn’t optimistic about their unexpected alliance with Malakai.
After all, he was someone who claimed to be a part of the organisation they were hunting down. Lova didn’t know about the rest, but she wasn’t comfortable with letting Malakai join them and voiced her opinion to Shinon.
As they examined a map that detailed potential Eclipse strongholds, Lova couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer. Her voice, hushed but tinged with concern, cut through the room’s tense atmosphere.
"Why did you agree to work with him, Shinon?" she asked, her eyes locked onto his. "You know we can’t trust Malakai. He was one of them, one of the Eclipse. He could be leading us into a trap right now."
Shinon dropped what he was doing and looked at Lova. He couldn’t tell her that the system told him to do so, but he could try explaining things from a different perspective, and hopefully, she would understand.
"We’re walking on thin ice here, Lova," he began, his voice steady and measured. "But right now, we need information more than trust.
The Eclipse is a shadowy organisation; if anything Malakai told us is true, its reach extends farther than we can imagine."
"I agree, but we-" Lova tried to interrupt, but Shinon raised a finger, telling her he wasn’t done yet.
"That said, if we’re going to expose their sinister plans and stop them, we need every piece of the puzzle we can get," Shinon continued. "Since our scouts failed to gather anything about the Eclipse, Malakai could be our way inside the Eclipse."
Lova’s brow furrowed with scepticism. "But can we really trust Malakai to provide us with accurate information? What if he’s feeding us half-truths or leading us into a trap?"
Shinon paused, his fingers tapping a thoughtful rhythm on the table’s edge. The thought had already crossed his mind a while ago, and thankfully, he had an answer prepared for Lova.
"Let’s assume you are correct," Shinon replied, keeping everything aside. "But even if he is leading us into a trap, he would have to provide us with trustworthy Intel first so that our suspicions about him don’t grow further."
"Wait... so you’re telling me you don’t trust him. You simply want to use him as much as you can?"
Shinon rolled his eyes. Although Lova was strong, she was a bit slow when it came to using her brain.
"That’s the thing, Lova," he replied, suppressing his urge to give Lova a smack on the head. "Besides, if Malakai is to be believed, he may have been one of them, but he’s also their traitor. He has a score to settle, and that’s the second thing we’re counting on.
If he wants to expose the Eclipse’s secrets as much as we do, he’d have to give us reliable ’intel’ to confirm his allegiance. It’s a win-win for us. We just have to be cautious, tread carefully, and use his information to our advantage."
Lova sighed, her fingers tracing the table’s edge absentmindedly. "I guess you’re right," she conceded reluctantly. "We don’t have many options. But I can’t shake this feeling that this is all too convenient. What if he’s playing the long game, waiting for the right moment to betray us?"
Shinon’s eyes flashed with determination. "Then we’ll be ready for him," he said firmly. "We’ll watch him closely, cross-reference his information, and ensure he doesn’t lead us astray. But if he crosses the line, he’d be swiftly dealt with."
He continued, "Trust, Lova, is a precious commodity in this world, and we’re not giving it away easily. But for now, let’s use what we have and stay one step ahead of the Eclipse. We’re playing with fire, but every decent weapon has to cross a fiery sea to become a weapon like no other."
Lova nodded, her unease still lingering beneath the surface. "Alright, Shinon. We’ll play this dangerous game, but we do it on our terms. If Malakai hints at betrayal, promise you won’t stop me from severing his head."
Shinon gave her a solemn look, his agreement unspoken but understood. Their alliance with Malakai was a gamble, a risky gambit in the perilous world they inhabited. But it was a gamble they had to take if they hoped to uncover the Eclipse’s secrets and thwart their malevolent plans.
’And if everything goes right... I would find some information about my father.’ Shinon clenched his hands as the thought entered his head. "Call him in. It’s time to talk."
***
"So they communicate using special devices?" Shinon mumbled while scratching his chin. "Since you know about these... coded transmission devices, you should have it on you, right?"
"I don’t have it," Malakai admitted, his gaze shifting from Shinon to Lova.
"What do you mean?" Lova wasted no time in questioning Malakai.
"No, I don’t. As a low-ranking member, I never had access to such a device. But I do know where you can find one."
"Where?" Shinon leaned in, his interest growing.
"The Eclipse maintains several supply points throughout the region. These supply points house various resources, including communication devices like the one we’re looking for," Malakai explained. "I remember one such supply point located in an abandoned factory not far from here."
Shinon’s mind was already racing, contemplating the possibilities such a device could offer. But Lova, ever the realist, voiced her concerns via telepathy.
"It sounds risky, Shinon. We barely know this guy, and we’re just going to follow his word?"
"I know it’s a gamble, Lova. But at this point, we don’t really have a choice." Shinon replied.
Lova’s expression remained sceptical, but she didn’t push further. However, her unease was evident. She had seen her fair share of betrayals and deceptions in this world, and the risk of walking into a trap was as constant as a shadow following its master.
"We need that device. It could be the key to uncovering more about their plans." Shinon’s eyes narrowed as he considered the possibility of finding his father there or something related to him.
"But that could be incredibly dangerous. We’ve already been ambushed once by them. What if they’re waiting for us at this supply point?" Lova quizzed.
"I’ll go," Shinon said firmly. "Alone."
Lova’s eyes widened in alarm, and she began to protest, but Shinon discreetly kicked her under the table before she could voice her concerns. The kick was a reminder of the agreement they had formed moments ago.
Lova took the hint and fell silent, but judging by her expressions, she wasn’t happy about the outcome.
"It’s a risky venture, but it’s our best chance to secure that device," Malakai, unaware of the exchange, nodded in agreement with Shinon’s plan. "I’ll guide you to the location and provide any information you need. In fact, I’ll start preparing at once."
"You do that," Shinon replied with a smile.
As Malakai excused himself to gather supplies, Shinon pulled Lova aside, taking her out of earshot from the others.
"Shinon, are you sure about this?" Lova whispered, clearly worried about him.
"I have to do this, Lova. If Malakai is telling the truth, it’s our best chance to secure that device and gather more evidence against the organisation. We can’t afford to pass it up."
Lova bit her lip, her scepticism still strong. "I know, but something about him just doesn’t sit right with me."
"I don’t fully trust him either, but we don’t have many options. He has the knowledge we need, and we can’t do this without him." Shinon sighed. "Not without endangering the settlement."
"I don’t like this one bit..." Lova shook her head. "But you’re right. We need to take this risk."
"One more thing. When Malakai and I leave, take the maps or anything else you deem important. Once done, you must take it back to the settlement."
"Why? What’s your plan?"
Shinon hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "There’s something about him that doesn’t add up. If anything happens to me out there, at least you’ll have the information we need to continue our fight." freewebnøvel.com
"Really?" Lova crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering. "You’re gonna go all sentimental on me now?"
"That was cringe, wasn’t it?" Shinon laughed along. "But on a serious note, take them with you... but don’t show them to anyone, and if something really happened to me, hand them over to Rico and Kira."
Okay, but promise me you’ll be careful," Lova reluctantly nodded. "We can’t afford to lose you. I might sound ridiculous, but the entire settlement depends on you."
"Depends on me, my ass." Shinon rolled his eyes but felt warm after hearing her words. "Let’s ensure we do our parts well."
