I could feel the tension emanating from Kalena as we watched Keanu and his guards move through the crowd. I knew that we needed to get her out of there and fast.
"Kalena," I whispered, tugging on her arm. "We need to go."
"But where?" she asked, her eyes wide with panic.
"My Jeep is parked nearby," I replied, scanning the crowd for any sign of danger. "We'll be safe there."
We began to walk through the throngs of people, slipping past Keanu and his guards unnoticed. But just as we were about to reach the Jeep, Keanu's voice boomed behind us.
"Kalena!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the boardwalk. "Don't think you can escape me so easily!"
I spun around, my body tense and ready for a fight. Keanu and his guards were advancing towards us,
their expressions angry and determined.
"Stay behind me, Kalena," I instructed, stepping forward to face Keanu and his guards. "You don't have any right to follow her here, Keanu."
"She belongs with us, not with you surface-dwellers," Keanu spat, his eyes blazing with fury. "You have no idea what you're getting into, air breather."
"I know enough to protect the people I care about," I replied firmly, my fists clenching at my sides.
The standoff lasted only a few tense moments before Keanu and his guards retreated back into the ocean, disappearing into the depths below.
"Are you okay?" I asked Kalena, turning to face her.
"I'm fine," she replied, her eyes still fixed on the water. "But we need to be more careful from now on. Keanu won't give up so easily."
"I know," I said, reassuringly touching her shoulder. "But we'll face it together. I won't let anything happen to you, Kalena."
She turned to look at me, her eyes full of trust and gratitude.
"Thank you, Kaimana," she said softly, leaning into my embrace.
As we drove away from the boardwalk, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Keanu's threat lingered in the air like a storm cloud, and I knew we were in for a rough ride. But with Kalena by my side, I was ready to face whatever lay ahead. Together, we would prevail.