Chapter 11: The Belts of Abron

The forest had grown quieter as the trio—Mia, Ronnie, and Henrry—crossed the final line of thick, dark trees. The subtle shimmer in the air was the only indication that they had passed from one domain to another. A sudden gust of wind blew past them, lighter and cooler, and the faint scent of wild herbs faded away.

"We've crossed the Doved Belt," Ronnie said, his voice calm but alert. "We're close. The secret base of the Infinity Clan isn't far now."

Henrry's curiosity flared as he looked around. "What exactly is the Doved Belt?"

Mia turned to him with a small smile. "Every Clan in Abron has its own territory, Henrry. These territories are called Belts. The land within a Clan's influence carries their name. We were just in the Doved Belt, the region belonging to the Aushadhi Clan. That belt ends here."

"Clans?" Henrry raised an eyebrow. "You mentioned that word before. What are Clans?"

Mia nodded. "A Clan is a group of people who use the same kind of power, share the same origin. There are six major Clans in Abron, and six Belts accordingly… at least, that's how it used to be."

Ronnie suddenly stopped and clenched his fists. His tone shifted—sharp, bitter. "No. Now there are only five."

A shadow crossed Mia's face. Her voice was quiet, almost trembling. "He's right. The sixth… is lost."

Henrry looked at them both, sensing the pain beneath their words. "What do you mean? Who controls all the Clans?"

Mia took a deep breath. "The leader of the Imperial Clan is the supreme ruler of all Clans in Abron. His name is Yamada."

The name sent a chill through Henrry's spine. He glanced at Ronnie, who had gone stiff, his eyes burning with silent rage.

"Yamada…" Henrry repeated.

Mia nodded solemnly. "The Imperial Clan lives at the center of Abron. Their belt is called the Primordial Belt. Beyond that begins what once was the domain of our Clan—the Infinity Clan. Our belt was known as the Immense Belt."

Ronnie's jaw tightened. He looked directly at Mia and shouted, "How many times do I have to tell you?! It's not our belt anymore!"

Henrry stared at him, confused. "What do you mean 'was'?"

Ronnie turned toward him, and the fury in his voice trembled with grief. "The Imperial Clan joined forces with the Beast Clan. Together, they invaded our land. They attacked us without warning. It was a massacre."

Mia's eyes welled up with tears. "I lost my father in that war…"

Ronnie continued, "And I lost my grandfather. We fought back with everything we had, but we were outnumbered. Outpowered. We had no choice—we had to flee. The Imperial Clan took everything from us."

A heavy silence followed his words. Henrry looked down, the weight of their loss pressing into his chest. He had known this pain it ran deeper, longer, older.

"I'm sorry," Henrry said softly. "Both of you."

Mia turned away and quickly wiped her eyes. She wasn't one to break down. Not in front of others. She took a deep breath and continued.

"After the Immense Belt, the land of the Beast Clan begins. Their territory is called the Miscreant Belt."

Ronnie scoffed. "Miscreants—fitting name."

Mia gave a faint nod and moved on. "Beyond that is the Shaurya Clan, known for their courage and discipline. Their territory is called the Valor Belt. And after them comes the Aushadhi Clan, the ones who healed you—"

Henrry raised his hand and interrupted with a grin. "Let me guess. Their territory is the Doved Belt?"

Mia laughed for the first time in a while, and even Ronnie cracked a small smile. "Exactly," Mia said.

Henrry looked around. "And the last Clan?"

"The Mirage Clan," Mia replied. "Masters of illusion and stealth. Their territory is called the Illusion Belt."

Ronnie added, "And we're in it now. We're only minutes away from reaching our secret base, hidden deep within this belt."

Henrry's gaze moved forward. In the distance, a towering mountain loomed over the forest, its peak lost in mist. It seemed impossibly high, its jagged cliffs cutting into the sky like blades.

Mia pointed to it. "We're going there."

Henrry gawked. "Up there? How are we supposed to climb that?"

Ronnie flashed a grin. "We fly."

Henrry turned to him slowly, eyes wide with disbelief. "We what?"

Before he could protest further, a sudden breeze swept around them—and then, without warning, a shimmering, transparent platform appeared beneath their feet, hovering just inches above the forest floor. It looked like glass, but pulsed faintly with magic.

"Sasakt Vayu," Mia whispered. "Empowered wind."

Ronnie stepped confidently onto the platform. Mia reached for Henrry's hand and gently pulled him on.

As the platform began to rise, Henrry dropped to the floor and clutched the edges tightly. "This… is so magical, like some fantasy" he muttered.

The forest fell away beneath them, trees shrinking into dots. The wind whipped past their faces. As they ascended, Henry noticed figures standing near the mountain's edge—five or six of them, cloaked in long black coats. Most appeared older, their faces lined with age, their beards long and white. On each of their coats, a red symbol of an eye had been painted over the heart.

The platform slowed, then gently lowered near a ledge carved into the mountain face. They stepped off one by one.

The elders approached them with warm, knowing smiles. One of them clapped Ronnie on the shoulder. "You've done well."

Another turned to Henrry and held out a red scarf embroidered with the symbol of the Infinity Clan—an infinity loop woven into the fabric like a flame. "Welcome," the elder said.

He looked at Henrry with loving gaze.

"You've already walked through fire. Rest now. Food will be served shortly. Master Ujaraq will meet you soon."

Ronnie and Mia led Henrry down a short path into a beautiful wooden mansion carved into the mountain itself. The structure was warm, welcoming, yet filled with quiet strength. The scent of herbs, firewood, and spice filled the air. As they entered, Henrry looked over his shoulder one last time—at the vast world of Abron unfolding below.

And with that, the doors of the Infinity Clan's secret refuge closed behind them.