Chapter-12 Shattered Loyalties

Exiting, Exodite Base. Riven drove a four by four combat jeep that roared down the cracked asphalt, kicking up dust as it sped toward straight out the city. Aiden sat in passenger seat, gazing out the jeep's window. He was reminiscing on all the thing he did in the city and he will very much miss, Maya and his beauty. She was unfinished, yet she was already a masterpiece in his eyes. Would he ever return to complete her?

The city soon faded in the rearview mirror, replaced by an expanse of dense, towering trees. Aiden's brow furrowed.

He didn't know there was a forest, nor was he sure where they were heading. But he knew he had to stay alert.

The air smelled damp and rotten, with patches of fog drifting through the trees.

He exhaled sharply, his fingers twitching against his thigh.. 'This forest is too dark for any good to come from it.' He thought.

A sudden, invisible force pulsed through his body, like a tidal wave crashing against his very soul. His breath hitched. Every nerve in his body screamed in warning.

"What was that…?"

Before he could even begin to process it, a blinding flash erupted inside the jeep.

Consuming. Overwhelming. Absolute…And just like that…His vision went black.

…

Deep within the dense, shadowed forest, hidden amidst the overgrowth. A old decaying ruined cabin stood, inside multiple loud voices echoed.

Suddenly, the door to the cabin slammed open with a force that sent a tremor through it. A small figure stepped out, his eyes narrowed of frustration.

Standing at 5'3", the boy was shorter than most. His dark, short hair caught the light, revealing a subtle metallic sheen, golden-amber eyes, though his face held an odd pallor. Minor scars on his plae skin, and two whisker on the sides of his face.

He wore a black tactical jacket, dark combat pants, and blue looking boots that clicked with each step. A white cloak wrapped tightly around his neck, its edges fluttering in the cold breeze.

"Why do I have to spend my time in such an old place?" the boy muttered.

Behind him, a man emerged from the cabin a burly figure clad in metal-plated combat armor. Oddly a furry tail swayed behind him, an odd contrast to his rigid, armored form. He winced as he approached.

"S-sorry about that, Master C-callin," the man stammered. "This is the only spot your father gave us."

Master Callin turned slowly, his gaze icy as he settled on the man. The subordinate's head dropped instinctively, a shiver running through his body. Callin's reputation as a ruthless and had spread like wildfire from being a clean freak, and it was no secret that his temper was as sharp as his intellect…still that wasn't the worst.

"I will have the team quickly clean up." the subordinate continued. "I'll clean it myself. Just don't—"

Callin's gaze remained cold."Don't what?" As he interrupted.

The subordinate swallowed hard. "J-just don't kill me…"

A sad smile flickered across Callin's face as he slowly turned to face the man again. "Don't do what? I've been nothing but kind to my subordinates… So tell me, why are you spreading lies? On my name!"

He then continued. "Finn!"

A 5'6" battered boy from the corner of the cabin stumbled forward, his body bruised and bloodied. Sweat streamed down his face as he dropped to his knees.

"Do you think I kill my subordinates indiscriminately?"

"No, Master Callin," the boy named Finn gasped, his voice cracking with fear. "Y-you're all so g-good to us."

Callin's smile returned, though it held no warmth. "Hmm," he muttered before turning back away.. "I want this place fixed up by the time I return."

"Of course, Master. Right away!"

The other man bowed deeply, before scrambling to work. While in thought his mind wandered. Why do I always have to be treated like this? If someone could just teach him a lesson...

Master Callin started approaching Finn a cold gaze passing over him. "Finn. You're useless bait anyway. Go help them. Just know I let you live because you're the longest to survive."

"Yes, yes, right away." Finn muttered, bowing. His mind raced. Longest bait to survive... How is that any good? All the friends I've made died because I'm just a bait...

As Callin moved away, he kicked one of his subordinates, his boots thudding against the man's back with brutal force. "Keep fixing it. Make the place spotless."

Finn sighed heavily, shaking his head. He followed a couple of men into the woods. Can't believe the first person. I walked into is a intelligent Specter… now I can't leave at all. Already being so powerful he can just kill me if needed….But now, I'm trapped.

The thought of killing Callin slithered into his mind everyday, but fear crushed it before it could take root. His hands clenched at his sides, trembling not from rage, but that one wrong move could mean his own death.

In the mist of his thoughts, he heard voices coming from a nearby hut. Curiosity piqued, he snuck away from the group and approached, carefully peeking through a hole.

The hut's interior was a decaying ruin, its air reeked of mold and damp rot, thick enough to make breathing unpleasant. The floor was uneven, splintered of planks and dirt, while cobwebs clung to the corners. Faint candlelight flickered against the cracked walls.

One voice, deep and commanding, spoke first. "He won't find us."

Another man responded. "Erock, if his father finds out, we will be..."

"Elrin, calm down…He won't if we leave right now."

'They're planning something.' Henry thought. 'I can use this... I want to join a team of exodites. This could be my way out.'

But before he could think again, a sharp pull yanked him backward. The grip was so strong, Henry couldn't break free, and before he knew it, he was surrounded by three men.

Elijea, the largest of the group, stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied Henry. "What are you doing eavesdropping?"

"I can't believe. Finn out all people found out our plan." Erock said.

"I... I didn't hear anything," Finn stammered, quickly waving his hands. "I-I was just passing by!"

Elijea bent down, his face inches from Finn's. "Really?"

"Yeah, yeah! Just please don't beat me." Finn begged, his hands pressed together.

Just as Elijea opened his mouth to speak, the ground trembled with a deafening explosion. Splintered wood flew through the air, and the air was thick with dust.

"Ahh!

"Ahhh!

Inside, filled of dust that engulfed everyone nostrils and blinded there sights. Slowly everyone sight became clearer to see a man sitting on the ground, rubbing his butt.

"…"

The man there saw was Aiden his heart pounded. He eye darted around the room, he didn't understand how he gotten here. He felt like he had gotten the same suitation entering the Phantom Dimension. However this time it wasn't instant he felt frozen for a couple minutes.

"Huh?"

"Why is there someone, crashing into our hut?" Erock asked.

"Who the hell are you!?"

Before Aiden could answer or do anything. He heard a roar in his ears. At that moment a explosion happened. This time the hut was destroyed, it sent splinters and woods everywhere.

The ground trembled, a deep, unsettling vibration throught the ground. Then, as if summoned by the quake itself. Master Callin stepped into the clearing, his golden-amber eyes gleaming with cold amusement, his white cloak billowing in the disturbed air.

All the men that was planning to escape stood up bowing to him. They were shivering they knew, that he wouldn't destroy the hut without a reason.

"Why did I hear your going to betray me?" Master Callin asked.

"No…No we will never do that Master Callin." Elrin said.

"Don't play dumb you know I have people around telling me what happening."

It's true while some other don't know it. It'd only trusted people that he has watching over knowing his secrets.

Even though the three are from. Callin clan they were lower memeber weaker so they were useless to him. Still there good entertainment for him and others.

"Ah…no Master Callin. That's Finn and his friend who came to rescue him."

"That right a strange guy came for Finn."

Master Callin tail swag back and forth. "What could it person don't know about me…Finn he dares to leave the team without compensation." He questioned himself.

His left eyebrow perked up."Could it be, The Pale Requiem?"

Elijea eyes widened. "Impossible! I heard he left the city far away long time ago...but it is weird that him and Finn friend is here at the same time."

Master Callin smirked. "If he's really here…the Pale Requiem will surely be killed by me." He paused, considering his next move. 'I can either go after him now or return home for more gear…I know the best decision.'

The thing about Pale Requiem, is that everyone heard he everything he arrives in the town he instantly he disappears, as he appeared . It made people hide in fear, then there those who are ready for a fight.