chapter 38-Erin Takes Command

I watched Rishitha from the corner of my eye, her expression shifting from confusion to sheer terror. Whatever she'd discovered wasn't good. She was trying to hide it, but I'd spent too much time reading people to miss the subtle cues—the trembling hands, the way she glanced around like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

She was hiding something, and if we were going to survive this nightmare, I needed to know what it was.

I moved toward her, careful not to startle her. "What are you doing?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

Her head snapped up, her eyes wide. For a second, I thought she might lie to me, but then she sighed and pointed at the stones around the clearing. "The sanctuary… it's not just protecting us. It's containing us. The stones are linked to some external power source, and I think there's a time limit."

That last part hit like a punch to the gut. "How much time?"

She hesitated, looking away. "Eleven hours. Maybe a little less now."

Eleven hours. My mind raced, calculations forming almost instinctively. Eleven hours to figure out what was powering this place, eleven hours to get everyone out alive—or as many as we could save.

"Keep looking into it," I told her, trying to keep my tone steady. "We need answers."

Her nod was hesitant, but she didn't argue. That was good enough for now.

I turned back to the group. Chaos was simmering just under the surface. Victor was stirring the pot again, his voice loud and obnoxious as he questioned everyone's value. "If you can't even fight, why are you still here? You're just dead weight."

Ragith looked like he was about to explode, his fists clenched at his sides. Mo Tang was doing his best to calm the wounded, but even he looked like he was close to breaking.

This is a powder keg, and it's about to blow.

I stepped into the center of the clearing, raising my voice. "Enough!"

The chatter stopped instantly, all eyes turning to me. I felt their fear, their distrust, their desperation. But more than anything, I saw their hope. Whether they realized it or not, they were looking for someone to lead them.

"Listen to me," I said, making sure to meet as many gazes as I could. "We don't have time for this. Arguing, blaming each other—it's not going to help us survive. We need a plan."

Victor scoffed, crossing his arms. "And you think you're the one to make it? Who put you in charge?"

I ignored him, focusing on the rest of the group. "If we work together, we can get through this. But we need to stay calm and follow a strategy."

Mo Tang spoke up, his voice steady despite the exhaustion in his eyes. "What's the plan?"

I glanced at Rishitha. Her discovery changed everything. "First, we need to understand the sanctuary. Rishitha is working on that."

Victor snorted. "Oh, great. We're putting our lives in the hands of Little Miss Know-It-All."

Ragith's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he was going to punch Victor. I raised a hand, cutting him off. "Enough, Victor. If you're not going to help, at least stay out of the way."

The tension in the air was thick, but the group was listening. That was a start.

"Here's the deal," I continued. "We've got limited time to figure out how to get out of here. Until we know more, we need to prepare for the worst. That means gathering supplies, setting up a proper perimeter, and dealing with any threats as they come."

Victor didn't look happy, but he didn't argue again. Ragith gave me a curt nod, and Mo Tang looked relieved to have some direction. Rishitha was already back to examining the stones, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Eleven hours. It wasn't much time, but it was enough. It had to be.

As the group began to organize, I felt a flicker of hope. We weren't out of the woods yet—literally or figuratively—but at least we were moving in the right direction.

I promised them I wouldn't let anyone die. And I'm going to keep that promise, no matter what it takes.

Erin scanned the group, his sharp eyes assessing their strengths, weaknesses, and the growing fractures in their unity. If this was going to work, he needed to establish order—and fast.

"Alright, listen up!" Erin's voice cut through the murmur of voices, silencing even the grumbling Victor. He stepped into the center of the clearing, his posture commanding, exuding an aura of confidence. "We're not getting anywhere like this. If we're going to survive, we need structure. We need roles. And everyone needs to contribute."

"Roles?" someone asked, their voice shaky.

"Yes," Erin replied firmly. "We can't have everyone wandering around aimlessly or panicking. This is how we're going to organize: gatherers, defenders, and scouts."

"First, we need supplies. Food, water, anything that can be salvaged. Gatherers will search the immediate area for anything useful. Stick in pairs, don't wander too far, and keep your eyes peeled for traps."

He turned to a smaller group of physically weaker individuals—those who seemed less capable in a fight but still eager to help. "You'll handle this. Look for anything edible or signs of clean water nearby. If you see anything strange, come back immediately—don't try to handle it alone."

They nodded hesitantly, exchanging nervous glances but agreeing nonetheless.

"Next, we need a perimeter. Defenders will keep an eye on the clearing and ensure no creatures or threats sneak up on us. Ragith, you'll lead this group."

Ragith crossed his arms, his expression hard. "I'll do it, but don't expect me to babysit."

"Good," Erin replied, unbothered. "Just make sure no one gets through. Defenders will rotate shifts so no one is too exhausted to fight when it matters."

He gestured to a few of the stronger individuals in the group. "You're with Ragith. Find anything you can use as a weapon—branches, rocks, anything sharp. Stay alert."

"Lastly, we need eyes on what's ahead. Rishitha is already working on understanding the sanctuary and its boundaries. We'll need scouts to map the area and identify any potential dangers or escape routes."

He looked at Rishitha, then at Mo Tang. "You two will take the lead on this. Rishitha, your knowledge is critical, and Mo Tang, your healing abilities will be invaluable if anyone gets injured."

Mo Tang nodded, though his expression was still lined with concern. "I'll do what I can."

"Now, here's the most important thing," Erin said, his voice growing sharper, demanding their attention. "We stick together. No one goes off alone. I don't care how brave you think you are—if you're separated, you're vulnerable. And if you're vulnerable, you're dead. Am I clear?"

The group murmured their agreement, their fear and uncertainty slowly giving way to a sense of direction.

Victor snorted, leaning against a tree with a smug expression. "And what about those of us who don't feel like playing soldier? You can't just order people around, you know."

Erin's gaze locked onto Victor, unflinching. "If you don't want to help, fine. But don't get in the way of those who do. And don't think for a second that you can manipulate people into following your lead. I see right through you."

Victor's smirk faltered, but he didn't respond, retreating into silence.

Erin took a deep breath, his mind racing with plans and contingencies. "We have eleven hours. We don't waste a second of it. Let's move."

The group began to disperse, following Erin's orders. There was still fear, still hesitation, but now there was also a glimmer of hope—a thread of unity holding them together in the face of the nightmare they were trapped in.

As Erin watched them go, he clenched his fists. This is only the beginning. I can't let them down. Not now. Not ever.

As the group dispersed to fulfill their assigned roles, the clearing was far from calm. Mutters, whispers, and side discussions filled the air, each person trying to make sense of what was happening while grappling with their growing fear and doubts.

Two gatherers, a boy named Sanjay and a girl named Mira, cautiously moved toward the edge of the clearing.

"Do you think we're really stuck here?" Mira whispered, clutching a stick she'd picked up as a makeshift weapon.

"I don't know," Sanjay replied, his voice trembling. "But I saw those wolves. That wasn't a game or a dream. If we don't do something, we're as good as dead."

Mira nodded, though tears threatened to spill from her eyes. "I just want to go home."

Ragith paced the edge of the clearing, his jaw tight as he barked orders at his assigned defenders.

"Keep your eyes open! If you see movement, yell. Don't act unless I say so."

One of the defenders, a stocky boy named Vikram, hesitated. "But… what if something charges at us?"

"Then you hit it with whatever you have!" Ragith snapped, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "You think standing around crying will save you? If you don't fight, you die."

His harsh words silenced the group, but their fear was palpable.

Rishitha and Mo Tang stood at the edge of the forest, surveying the dense trees ahead.

"I still can't believe this is happening," Mo Tang murmured, adjusting the strap of his satchel filled with healing supplies. "Why us? Why here?"

Rishitha glanced at him, her expression grim. "I don't know. But I do know that sitting here waiting for answers won't help us. We need to move."

Her Eye of Knowledge flashed faintly as she scanned the surroundings, noting faint magical disturbances that suggested traps or hidden dangers.Meanwhile, Victor lurked near a cluster of panicked individuals, his voice low but persuasive.

"Do you really think that guy Erin knows what he's doing?" Victor whispered to a group of three. "He's just as clueless as the rest of us. You're better off sticking with someone who knows how to play the game."

One of them, a timid girl named Asha, hesitated. "But… Erin seems confident. He has a plan."

Victor leaned in, his voice dripping with condescension. "A plan? Do you think plans mean anything in a place like this? What we need is power, not plans."

The group looked uncertain, their fear making them vulnerable to Victor's words.

Near the center of the clearing, a small cluster of wounded and exhausted individuals sat huddled together.

"Is it true?" a boy whispered, his voice barely audible. "That if we don't kill a monster, we'll die?"

An older girl nodded solemnly, tears streaming down her face. "I saw the screen. It's real. We have less than ten hours now."

Their despair was infectious, spreading like wildfire among the group.

Standing in the middle of it all, Erin observed the chaos with a heavy heart. This is worse than I thought. They're breaking apart. Fear is going to kill them faster than any monster.

He raised his voice again, cutting through the noise. "Everyone, gather here!"

The groups hesitated but eventually shuffled back toward the center. Erin's gaze swept over them, his expression resolute.

"I know you're scared. I am too. But fear won't save you. If we work together, we have a chance. Trust me when I say this: no one here is dying today. Not if I can help it."

His words hung in the air, a fragile but powerful lifeline for the group.

Despite Erin's rallying words, the fractures in the group were clear.

Ragith's frustration simmered beneath the surface, his anger at Rishitha and the others barely contained. Victor's manipulation continued in the shadows, planting seeds of doubt. The wounded remained a symbol of what could happen to anyone at any moment.

And through it all, Rishitha's system kept issuing silent warnings and notifications, painting a picture of the challenges yet to come.

"What do we do when the hour's up?" someone asked, their voice trembling.

"Find a monster and kill it," Ragith growled. "Simple as that."

"But what if we can't?" Mira whispered, clutching her stick tighter.

"You will," Erin said firmly. "We'll make sure everyone gets through this. No one is facing a monster alone."

Victor smirked from his corner. "Bold words. Let's see if you can actually back them up."

Erin ignored him, focusing instead on keeping the group united. This isn't just about surviving the monsters. It's about surviving each other.