Recruitment

You guys throw so many stones at me today i dropped another chapter. Thank you.

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After ensuring our tracks were covered, I finally caught up with Albedo. As we approached the group, I saw the prisoners we had rescued. They were a ragged bunch, their clothes torn, and their bodies weak from the hardships they'd endured. Yet, there was something new in their eyes, a glimmer of hope that hadn't been there before.

I took in the scene, two Banuk hunters stood out, their distinctive gear and vibrant colors still recognizable despite the wear and tear. In the center of the group, three Utaru cowered, their faces tense, eyes darting nervously. Surrounding them were eleven Nora, each one standing firm, their presence a shield for the others.

Albedo stood silently beside me, her gaze sweeping over the survivors. She finally spoke, her voice soft but steady.

"They look like they've been through hell."

I nodded, my eyes lingering on the faces before me. "They have. But they're still standing. That's something."

Albedo gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "It's more than something. It's everything." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as he surveyed the group again. "We've saved them, but the real challenge is keeping them safe. Do you think we can manage that?"

I looked back at the survivors. "We'll have to. We've come this far, and I'm not about to let it end here."

Albedo gave a thoughtful nod, then turned to face me fully. "You're right. We've made it this far. But we need to be careful. There are others out there who wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of their weakness."

I clenched my fists, a surge of anger rising in my chest. "Then we'll deal with them, just like we dealt with the rest."

She studied me for a moment, as if weighing my words, then gave a short, approving nod. "I've got your back. Always."

We shared a brief moment of silent understanding before turning our attention back to the survivors. There were sixteen of them now, all of them alive, and we would protect them, no matter the cost.

As we approached the group, the survivors hesitated for a moment, their eyes wary but hopeful. They had been through so much, and I could sense their hesitation, unsure if they were truly safe or if they could trust us. Albedo gave them a reassuring look, and I stepped forward to speak.

I took a deep breath, my voice calm but firm. "We're not here to harm you. You've been through enough. You're safe now."

The words hung in the air, but the survivors were still cautious.

A Banuk hunter stepped forward, his hands shaking as he adjusted the worn bow slung over his shoulder. His face was scarred, but his eyes held gratitude.

"Safe?" he rasped, his voice rough from days of silence. "Safe from what? The machines, the Carja, or…?" He trailed off, uncertainty in his gaze.

I met his eyes. "All of it. We've been fighting to make sure no one else suffers the way you have."

He nodded slowly, his expression softening, but then his gaze shifted to the others. A Utaru woman, clearly younger than the rest, looked terrified. She clutched the arm of one of the Nora protectors, her face pale and eyes wide with distrust.

Albedo noticed her distress and stepped closer, her tone gentle but firm. "It's okay. You're safe here. No one will harm you."

The Utaru didn't respond immediately, but the words seemed to have a calming effect on her. She let go of the Nora's arm and took a cautious step forward, her eyes still darting between us, but there was a flicker of hope in her expression.

One of the Nora warriors, a woman with long, braided hair and a battle-worn face, spoke up, her voice strong and reassuring. "We owe you our lives." Her eyes locked onto mine, filled with gratitude. "We were lost, and you found us. Thank you."

I nodded, trying to suppress the weight of responsibility settling deeper in my chest. "You don't owe us anything. We're just doing what's right. Now, we need to make sure you all get to safety."

Another voice, this time from a Banuk woman with a grim look on her face, broke the moment. "And what happens after that? After we're safe? What's next?"

I met her gaze. "We keep moving forward. We fight to ensure this never happens again."

Albedo, ever the strategist, added with a slight edge in her voice, "The world is dangerous, but we can make it safer. But we need all of you. Everyone has a role to play."

The survivors exchanged looks, the weight of our words settling in. A small murmur ran through the group, and I could sense a shift, an understanding forming between us all.

The Banuk hunter who had spoken earlier stepped forward again, his posture a little less tense. "If we are to survive, we will need food, shelter, and weapons. You can't expect us to just follow without knowing we'll be protected."

I nodded, acknowledging his concern. "We've got supplies. We'll get you settled. But trust that we'll stand together. You're not alone anymore."

The Utaru woman, her voice soft but steady now, spoke up from behind the Nora protector. "I don't know how much we can fight, but… we will help. We owe you that much."

The Nora warrior beside her placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a silent show of solidarity.

Albedo looked around at the group, a rare softness in her icy expression. "Then let's start with today. We've got a long road ahead, but together, we'll make it through."

There was a quiet nod of agreement from the group, and the air seemed to lighten slightly, though the weight of the journey still loomed over us all.

I turned to Albedo, offering her a brief smile. "We've made a difference today. Now, we make sure they stay safe."

She gave a nod in return, her eyes scanning the horizon. "One step at a time."

We moved slowly toward the cave where Cam and Web were waiting for us. When we finally arrived, Web's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of so many people trailing behind us. Cam, ever the cautious one, stood up sharply, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his spear.

"You brought... all of them?" Cam asked, his voice a mixture of disbelief and concern.

I nodded, my gaze steady. "They needed help. We couldn't leave them behind."

Cam's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the group. "It's not just Nora. Banuk and Utaru too?"

One of the Banuk hunters, still leaning heavily on his spear for support, raised his head. His voice was hoarse. "If we could, we'd return to our own lands. But we're too weak... and the roads are crawling with Carja."

An Utaru woman, standing just behind the Banuk, nodded in agreement. Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "We have no choice but to follow. For now."

Their words hung in the air, a quiet reminder of the fragile trust and uneasy alliance forming between us.

Cam exchanged a glance with Web, his expression unreadable. Then he turned to me, his voice low. "And they're following you? Just like that?"

I hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the weary faces of the survivors. They were scared, battered, and far from home. Yet, for better or worse, they had chosen to trust me.

"It's not like they have many options," I replied, my voice quieter than I intended. "But yes... they're following me."

Cam's lips tightened into a thin line, but he didn't argue. Instead, he leaned against the cave wall, his gaze distant. "Outsiders or not, they're your responsibility now. You know that, right?"

I nodded. "I know."

The Banuk hunter stepped forward, his posture stiff but his eyes unwavering. "We don't follow lightly. If you lead us, we'll walk with you. But make no mistake, our loyalty is earned, not given."

I met his gaze, the weight of his words sinking in. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

As we settled into the cave, I felt the unspoken tension between the groups, the Nora wary of the outsiders, the Banuk and Utaru uneasy in unfamiliar company. And yet, despite the divisions, they all looked to me. For now, they had no choice but to trust in a path they didn't yet understand, and in a leader they barely knew.

An unknown king.

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Every 25 Power Stones a new chapter. Let me know if you want bigger chapters.