CHAPTER 40: FEISTY FATE

The forest was dark and quiet, so quiet. The moonlight barely lit the path as Moa moved carefully through the trees. She had been searching for Lauren for days, following tracks that always seemed to vanish. The air was damp, and every step felt heavier as exhaustion tugged at her. Something felt off. The usual sounds of the forest, chirping insects, rustling leaves, were gone. Moa stopped, her instincts on high alert. That's when she heard it, a faint shuffle behind her. Before she could react, an arrow whizzed past her, lodging into a tree.

"Drop your weapon", a harsh voice called out from the shadows. Moa turned quickly, her knife in her hand. Figures stepped out of the darkness, six of them, their faces hidden by masks.

They surrounded her, weapons glinting in the moonlight.

She didn't speak. She didn't panic. Instead, She studied them, her sharp eyes searching for a weakness in their circle. 

One of the bandits lunged at her. Moa moved fast, dodging and slicing his arm with her knife. He cried out, falling back, but another man grabbed her from behind. Moa slammed her elbow into his ribs, breaking free, but the others closed in. She fought hard, her speed and skill keeping them at bay. She ducked under a swinging club and drove her knee into an attacker's stomach. Another came at her with a blade and she twisted, using his momentum to throw him into a tree

But there were too many of them. A heavy blow from behind sent her to the ground. Her knife slipped from her hand, landing in the dirt. Moa struggled, kicking and clawing, but the bandits pinned her down. "She's feisty", one of them said with a laugh, pulling her hand behind her back to tie them. "Korvus will want to see this one", another added, his voice filled with grim amusement.

Moa gritted her teeth, refusing to cry out. Her mind raced. who was Korvus? And what did they want with her? They dragged her through the forest, her feet stumbling on the uneven ground.

The bandit camp was hidden deep in the woods, surrounded by thick trees and guarded by watchful eyes. A large fire crackled in the center, casting flickering shadows across the crude tents and makeshift shelters.

At the heart of the camp stood a tall, broad man with a menacing presence. His sharp eyes and scarred face gave him an air of authority. This was Korvus, the leader of the bandits.

"Another stray"? He said, his deep voice calm but dangerous. "She fought back", one of the bandits said, shoving Moa forward. Korvus looked her over, his gaze cold and calculating. "Tie her up. we'll deal with her in the morning". 

The bandits forced Moa into a corner of the camp, binding her hands and feet. Despite the pain and exhaustion, she glared at them, her mind already forming a plan. Moa refused to give in. she wouldn't let them break her. 

The next morning, the bandits were loud, drinking and laughing as they ate around the fire. Moa sat silently, watching, studying their behavior. Korvus was at the center, towering over the others, his every move commanding respect. 

As the day wore on, Moa saw an opportunity. She stood, raising her voice to address Korvus. "I challenge you", she said firmly. The camp went silent. All eyes turned to her. Korvus raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "You? challenge me"? "There is a rule here, isn't there?" Moa said, her voice steady. "Anyone can challenge the leader. If I win, I take your place".

 The bandits laughed, but Korvus silenced them with a wave of his hand. His pride wouldn't let him refuse. "You've got guts", he said, stepping forward. "Let's see if you've got skill". The bandits formed a circle, cheering as Korvus and Moa faced off.

Korvus was huge, his muscles rippling as he moved. Moa was small and fast, relying on her speed and sharp instinct. He lunged at her, swinging his massive fists. Moa dodged, using his size against him. She darted around him, delivering quick strikes to his ribs and legs. Korvus roared in frustration, swinging widly, but Moa was always one step ahead. 

She used the terrain to her advantage, leading him toward uneven ground. When he stumbled, she struck hard, aiming for his weak points. 

The fight was brutal, but Moa's determination never wavered. Finally, she saw her chance. As Korvus charged at her, she dropped low, sweeping his legs out from under him. He crashed to the ground, and before he could recover, Moa pressed a blade to his throat. "Yield", she demanded, her voice cold and steady. 

Korvus hesitated, his pride warring with the reality of his defeat. Finally, he nodded. The camp erupted in chaos, some cheering, others stunned. Moa stood, her chest heaving, as Korvus handed over his weapon, a symbol of leadership. 

From that day on, she was the leader of the bandits. 

Moa ended her story, her voice calm but filled with emotion. She looked at Lauren, who had been listening in silence. 

"And that's how I survived," Moa said. "That's how I became who I am". Lauren nodded, her eyes full of understanding. "Now it's my turn," she said softly, beginning to tell her own story. 

Together they prepared for their journey ahead, knowing their shared past would shape their future.