CHAPTER 10  THE WARNING AND THE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE

The peaceful days in Kimi village were quickly coming to an end. Dodo had finally begun to settle into a rhythm, finding a semblance of peace in the small mountain village. Kyra and Tiv had become close friends, offering their support as Dodo continued to come to terms with his role as the wielder of the Omega. They had all grown fond of the villagers, who had welcomed them with open arms. But their newfound tranquility would not last.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the village, an unexpected visitor arrived. A lone rider galloped through the gates of Kimi, breathless and dust-covered. The villagers gathered around as the rider dismounted, handing a sealed scroll to Kyra, who was closest. Her face grew grim as she unrolled the parchment, her eyes scanning the contents with growing concern.

"I knew it would come to this," Kyra murmured, looking up at Dodo and Tiv, who had gathered around her. "Prince Xalor has learned of your presence. He is hunting you down."

Dodo's heart sank as he exchanged a worried look with his friends. He had hoped, perhaps naively, that the red Zuru nation had moved on, forgetting about the Omega and its power. But it seemed he was wrong.

Tiv stepped forward, his expression hardened with determination. "We can't stay here. If Xalor is coming, this village will be in danger. We have to leave now."

Kyra nodded firmly, her voice calm but resolute. "The village has given us shelter, but the cost of that protection is too high now. If we stay, Xalor will bring his army to this doorstep. And it won't just be us who suffer."

Dodo stared at the scroll, his thoughts racing. "But where will we go?"

Kyra's eyes narrowed as she thought for a moment. "There's a place, a remote valley deep in the mountains. It's hard to reach, and no one knows the paths better than I do. We can hide there and regroup, plan our next move."

Tiv's face lit up at the mention of the mountains. "The mountains sound like the perfect place. We can move quickly, stay out of sight, and avoid detection. We can't afford to stay and risk the village's safety."

Dodo's mind raced. The idea of fleeing again, leaving yet another place behind, filled him with guilt. But the reality was clear: staying was too dangerous. The Omega had already brought enough destruction to the villages he had passed through. He didn't want Kimi to be next.

"We leave tonight," Dodo said firmly, his voice filled with resolve. He couldn't hide from his past any longer. The Omega's power would continue to draw enemies to him, and he couldn't risk the lives of his friends and the villagers. Not again.

Kyra and Tiv quickly gathered their belongings, preparing for the long journey ahead. The village, sensing the urgency, remained quiet as Dodo, Kyra, and Tiv slipped out under the cover of night. Their hearts heavy with the burden of the choice, but their minds set on the only option left: survival.

As the trio made their way through the dense forests and up the steep mountain trails, the shadows of the night seemed to close in around them. The cool mountain air bit at their skin, but there was no time to rest. They moved swiftly, navigating through the rough terrain, careful not to make a sound that might draw unwanted attention.

Days passed as they journeyed deeper into the mountains. Every rustling leaf, every distant sound, set Dodo's nerves on edge. It felt like they were being watched. But

no one came. No one followed. For the first time in what felt like forever, Dodo allowed himself to feel a small spark of hope. They had escaped, for now.

Finally, after days of travel, they arrived at the remote valley Kyra had mentioned. It was hidden from view, surrounded by towering peaks and dense forests. It was a place where Xalor's army would never easily find them.

"This is it," Kyra said, her voice filled with relief as she looked around the valley. "We're safe for now."

Tiv nodded, his expression still serious. "For now. But we can't stay here forever. Xalor will keep searching, and when he finds out where we've gone, he'll come for us."

Dodo looked around, taking in the isolation of the valley. "We'll rest for a few days, then. We need to figure out our next move."

Kyra placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure it out. Together."

Dodo nodded, feeling the weight of their journey on his shoulders. But as he looked at his friends, he realized that he wasn't alone. They had fought alongside him, and they would continue to fight. No matter what lay ahead, they would face it together.

And so, in the remote mountain valley, Dodo, Kyra, and Tiv began their next chapter—a chapter filled with uncertainty, but also with hope. For in the mountains, they had found a temporary sanctuary, but the true battle was still to come.

The pursuit of the Omega had only just begun.