Episode Sixteen - Long Live, The Chief (Part 2)

Confusion descended upon Izel. Was it true? Had Eira been lying to them? Hope and disbelief warred inside him. Even if his uncle was lying, Izel was helpless to save them. He couldn't defy the Chief unless he was willing to challenge his uncle or accept a heavy punishment. His best way of helping Eira would be to wait and plan.

"Take them away!" Chief Borjan ordered.

The warriors hauled Eira and Lars into the middle of the desert, both clueless to their true destination until a mechanical cranking noise greeted their ears. The sand gave way, disappearing into a secret passageway beneath the ground – a chilly wind spiralling from the darkness, followed by a distinct odour of rot and death.

Hands sweat-damp and pulse racing, Eira trailed after Lars as they forced him down the steps. He had to hunch over to avoid hitting his head in the cramped space. There was nothing to light their way, not even a single torch. A few times, she tripped over herself only to smash into Lars's broad back. There might even be a small bruise forming on the tip of her nose from the impact.

"Careful," he murmured, tension coiled tight in his body, waiting to be released.

Reaching the last step, dying torches illuminated a dank hallway, the stench of mold and decay more pronounced. Eira recoiled at the sickening smell. What was this place? Low moans penetrated the darkness. A vivid rattle of chains.

Lars knew this was a dungeon of sorts – one used to keep abducted victims or prisoners if his suspicion on Chief Borjan's role was right. Breathing in the foul air, he surmised not many lived to see another day. This place could be solid evidence of the Xaosose's involvement in the Oasis case, and he would make the chief talk even if he had to torture it out of the man.

While a warrior busied to unlock a cell, Lars bodily slammed him into the metal bars, earning an excruciating howl. Following his lead, Inka jumped the closest man and looped her bound hands around his neck. Anchoring her legs around his thick waist, she leaned backwards and allowed gravity to strangle him in her chokehold. They collapsed to the ground, and she rolled off in time to avoid an attacking spear. Observing her massive opponent, she raised her wrists at the same time he swung his weapon, the blade slicing through her binds, cutting her loose.

"Eira, leave this place to me." Lars physically restrained the others, buying her time to escape. He used his arms to cage the enraged warriors. "Don't let Chief Borjan get away! We need him alive!"

Indeed, the chief was already halfway up the stairs, his retreating silhouette disappearing fast. Eira grabbed the fallen warrior's spear and raced to the top of the steps, calves' muscles pumping. She cursed softly when the chief hurried to shut the doors. With a burst of adrenaline, she dove through the narrow opening and landed hard in a graceless tumble of tangled limbs.

Ignoring the pinch between her shoulders, she pushed to her feet and gave chase – her heart drumming wildly against her ribcage, her breathing a shallow rasp in her ears as she raised the spear. With singular focus, she drew her arm back and launched the weapon, watching it fly.

She hissed a breath of relief when her quarry collapsed into the sand. In steady strides, she reached the groaning chief and bent down, mercilessly digging the spear deeper into his bleeding flesh. "It was your carelessness for dismissing your enemy's strength, Chief Borjan. The Xaosose tribe will never triumph over the Qeathans because of your useless pride. A prey should never seek to rise above a predator." Her cruel lips to his ear. "Know your place and you shall live to see another day."

"You think you can end this with my death?" He spoke with scalding contempt. "This is only the beginning! I am not the only one under his command. There are plenty more others like me."

In that moment, the rising sun shadowed half of Eira's face, lending her a menacing aura. Her lips thinned. "Who said anything about killing you? Don't you know a living prey is more useful than a dead one?" She pinned him with a sharp look. "There's no point in telling me now, Chief Borjan. Soon, we'll dig out every secret that lurks inside your head. If you are truly involved in the groundless murders of those bodies we found in the Oasis"— her voice dropped to a sinister whisper— "I can promise you that you will die a slow and painful death."

His throat bobbed restlessly at her threatening promise, dread filtering his venomous glare.

"Eira! Are you alright?" Florian's distant voice permeated the smothering silence. It seemed he had arrived on time.

She rose to her feet. "I suggest you cooperate with us if you want to spare yourself the torture, Chief Borjan. Ataxian soldiers are brutal, and I have experienced it first-hand."

"You should have stayed away! You don't know what you're dealing with." Spittle flew from the Chief's distorted lips. His face was red with rage and humiliation.

It occurred to her that the village was waking up, and many eyes were watching. Hands on her waist, she looked down her nose at him. "Fear exists for the weak. Another reason why the Xaosose tribe doesn't need a leader like you." With that imparting truth, she turned her back on him. "Arrest this man," she said to Florian, sprinting pass him.

"Where are you going?" he shouted over his shoulder.

"Lars is trapped! I need to save him!" she shouted, bumping into Koga. Conveniently, she dragged him with her. "Koga, help me destroy this door."

"What door?" the samurai sounded confused. "I don't see anything."

Eira fell to her knees and started digging desperately until her hands touched cold metal. "Over here!"

"Fuck me. What the hell is this doing here?"

"Hurry! Lars is trapped inside."

Koga withdrew Shishui and in two deliberate slashes, the door broke apart. Flinging the broken parts away, Eira called out. "Lars, can you hear me?"

"What the fuck is that smell?" Koga stumbled back, shielding his nose.

Worry plagued her; brows creased in fear. "Lars!" She was preparing to charge in when their bloodied Captain appeared – headfirst – through the dark hatch. Before Lars could say a word, Eira threw her arms around him, squeezing tightly.

"I'm alright, Eira." He patted her back, his gaze shifting to Koga who was smiling from ear to ear. Lars's scowl dared him to utter a word. Holding up both hands, Koga wisely retreated to give Florian a hand.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" Eira pulled back to examine him, catching only light grazes and superficial cuts.

"Don't worry, I'm honestly fine." His gaze shifted to what Florian and Koga were doing. "You caught the chief."

Why did he sound surprised? Eira's lips pursed in offense. "I couldn't very well let him get away, not after everything he put us through. I demand retribution."

"Good job," he praised, caressing the top of her head.

She smacked his hand away, realizing that he was teasing her. "I'm not Aeolus."

"And I don't pat him in this manner," he returned briskly. "Your eyes were begging me to praise you."

Those same eyes bulged in protest. "They were not!" Eira didn't stay long enough to hear him chuckling at her harmless outburst, heading back to the village.

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Izel was shocked to see his uncle being dragged into the village by two new faces in the group. The turn of events was…disconcerting to say the least. Eira's 'husband' marched towards him, his imposing air and appearance roused an innate fear Izel hadn't experienced since he was a boy.

"We apologize for the deception, Izel," Lars said gravely. "I am Captain Lars Verhelst, and these are my unit members. We came from Ataxia to investigate a mass murder incident that led us to your tribe. Our intention is not to harm but to seek justice."

Izel's mind was spinning. "S-so…Eira and you aren't –"

"Married?" Eira cut him to the chase, shaking her head. "No, we aren't."

Izel's relief wasn't lost on Lars. Discontentment tore through him at the thought of the Xaosose warrior pursuing Eira. Unknowingly, a frown puckered the scar across his face.

"Then what is the meaning of this?" Izel gestured to his hog-tied uncle. "Why are you apprehending our Chieftain?" Though Chief Borjan was his uncle by blood, it was no secret that their relationship was strained. He couldn't say he was sorry or disheartened to see the man go.

"Chief Borjan is under arrest on the suspicion of kidnapping and murder, on top of colluding with a potential mass murderer. He will be brought into Ataxia post-haste for an active investigation."

"You can't do that!" a woman shouted.

Izel hadn't realized the scene had attracted a crowd around them.

"If you take our Chief away, then who will lead the tribe? We will be lost!"

Grieving wails saturated the air, and the men began to protest in earnest.

Eira understood that everyone was conflicted. There was only one way to solve this problem. Stepping forth, she gingerly touched Izel's arm. "Izel, I'm sorry if I lied about being married. It was necessary for the mission but other than that, I've never lied about anything else. When we were younger, you once shared your dreams of creating a Xaosose tribe everyone can be proud of." Emerald eyes searched troubled blues. "This is your chance to make it come true."

"Him — a leader?" Chief Borjan scoffed derisively. "His ideals would only ruin the tribe like his dead father's."

Frown lines creased Izel's forehead. "My father's ideals were for the good of our people. It's your way of life that hasn't benefitted us at all." He confronted his uncle, the pent-up dissatisfaction breaking free. "For years, I've stood by idly because you are my family. Clearly, you have been abusing your power and now you have stained the Xaosose honour. We don't need a selfish and disgraced Chieftain." His mind made up, Izel declared to his restless tribesmen. "I hereby declare myself the new Chief of Xaosose! If anyone wishes to challenge me for the position, I welcome it with open arms!"

A minute of heavy silence ticked by.

"I trust Izel to lead us!" A warrior shoved his way to the front, determination engraved on his youthful face. "We've all heard his ideals and I know he will do right by us. Chief Borjan never truly listened to us and he's the reason for our disappearing members!"

"That's right!" Yaena vehemently supported him. "My brother, Tiret has been missing for a week! The Chief doesn't care if he's dead or alive!"

One-by-one the villagers confessed the Chief's ignorance and grievances and Eira knew that Izel's future was set in stone. Pulling his fist into the air, she declared. "Utta mekkiri, Keq Izel! Long live, Chief Izel!"

The crowd roared fiercely, resonating their approval and blessing. "Utta mekkiri, Keq Izel!"