the split (2)

Team B was not having as difficult a time as Team A. Little did everyone know, it was because of one boy.

"I'm guessing you're using that guy's Evolution ability" Tessa whispered to her brother.

"Yeah. Lucky for us, it seems like these beasts really do rely on sound" Leo replied.

"I hope the others are okay… I'm worried about them" Tessa commented.

"Yeah, but there's nothing we can do except keep moving. Speaking of which, I'm turning this thing off, so get near me" Leo said.

As Tessa got close, Leo prepared to shut off the mute ability, which had been hiding their presence. Just as he did, something caught both their ears.

"What? A herd? But my group hasn't seen a single beast yet. Okay, okay—this outing is obviously too dangerous. Screw what the principal has to say. It's more likely the beasts adapted to him coming here himself. Look, I'm going to tell my team we're launching a rescue mission. Make sure the other teams do as well. We need all hands on deck" said Mr. Sable. He then signaled his team to stop and turned around.

"I have very bad news to tell you all" Sable sighed before continuing. "Team A ran into a horde of beasts. Half of the students were killed, along with four teachers. That means we're making a big change of plans. We're not hunting beasts anymore—we're going to find and rescue the survivors. If you want to go back, you can. I'll let half the teachers take the ones returning back to the portal. Those who want experience, come with me and the rest. Now make your choice."

Some students stayed, while most left with the teachers. Who could blame them?

Leo and Tessa both stayed. They wanted—no, needed—to know what happened to their friends. Now it was just a group of 80 students and 20 teachers. Leo noticed his sister looking down, clenching her fists.

"Hey, c'mon. You need to be strong and get it together" Leo said, trying to comfort her.

"I know, but… Jo–Joey…" she sniffled.

"Look, truthfully, I just want to meet up with the two I know best. Out of everyone in that group, those two are the most likely to survive" Leo said with a smile, and it made Tessa feel a bit better.

"Plus, don't count Harkel out. He'd never let anything happen to Joey. I can tell by how he moves—he always wants to protect him."

"Yes, but… what if he couldn't? Maybe the beasts were too much for him," Tessa said, her voice trembling with doubt.

"Look. You think I'm strong, right?" Leo asked, and Tessa nodded. "Well, I hate to admit it, but Harkel is even stronger than me. We sparred a couple times—I won some, but he won most. He may not look or act like it, but when it comes to battle, Harkel's a genius."

Hearing that from her brother gave Tessa confidence that both Joey and Harkel had made it.

⸻

With Team D:

They were already moving toward Team A's last known location. Unlike Team B, Team D didn't give anyone the option to back out. The whole group chose to go.

As they walked, Wren glanced worriedly at Jordan, who looked like he was holding back tears.

"Jordan, calm down. We don't know if it was them who died. We need to keep moving, and then we can confirm it" Wren said, trying to raise his hopes—but it didn't seem to work.

"I know they didn't die… but after hearing that number, and that one of the healers is gone…" Jordan placed a hand on his head as tears slipped out.

"Look. We don't know if Harkel or Joey died. Both of them got bigger boosts than we did, thanks to Riven. And you've seen Harkel's power firsthand. Joey's too. They're both forces to be reckoned with," Wren said, trying to spark hope in someone she considered a friend. And she saw that glow of hope flicker in Jordan's eyes.

"You're right. Joey… Harkel… hang on. We're coming for you," Jordan said, his voice filled with new resolve.

⸻

With Team C:

"Damn it. If it weren't for this stupid system, I'd know if Joey and Harkel are still alive. I know they're strong—especially Harkel. But why'd you go after a beast horde alone?" Riven thought.

"Hey. I hope you remember—your friends aren't alone" a voice said.

Riven turned and saw Nico.

"I can see it in your eyes. You're scared for them. But those two… they've awoken. Even though your friend Joey doesn't have the flashiest Evolution, his physical stats should let him survive. I can tell—by comparing them to my own—and he's been awakened longer than me" Nico said. Riven could tell he was trying to calm him, and it worked.

"Thank you" Riven said, smiling at Nico.

Nico blushed and looked away. "No problem. Plus, I need you at 100%. I couldn't let one of our strongest be distracted, after all" he added.

"Harkel, Joey… protect each other. And I know, when it comes down to it, you'll use your second Evolution to save one another" Riven thought as his group moved onward.

⸻

With Team A:

They were running through the forest. The teachers had spread out—some leading from the front, others guarding the rear. Most students were exhausted, but not Harkel and Joey. They kept a steady pace. When a boy began to fall behind, Harkel caught him, slung him over his back, and kept running. Then a girl tripped—but before she could fall, Joey picked her up and carried her, keeping the same speed.

Another student was about to collapse—Joey moved to help, but someone else got there first.

It was Luka.

"Knew I saw some vines acting weird" Harkel joked.

"Yeah, thanks for that boost, guys. I owe you one. I probably wouldn't have survived if it wasn't for that potion" Luka said with a grin—though it quickly turned serious. "Guys…"

"We know," Joey and Harkel said in unison.

"One of us needs to talk to him" Joey said.

"I'll go" Harkel replied, pushing ahead. He called out to the man leading them.

"Sir! We can't keep moving like this. Most of the students are going to fall behind—we can't afford to lose any more!" he shouted.

The man turned, sighed, then veered off-course. The group followed until they saw a cave. Team A rushed inside to rest. Most students collapsed, gasping for air. At the front of the cave, the teachers discussed next steps. Harkel and Joey approached them.

"So, what's the next plan?" Harkel asked.

"Students shouldn't be up here. Go back with the rest" one teacher said.

"Student? I've done just as much as you guys. You all have flashy black armor—I only have a sword" Harkel replied, the fire in his eyes showing he meant every word.

The teacher was about to respond, but the lead instructor raised a hand to stop him.

"You're right. You two are important here" the leader said, nodding at Joey as well.

"Three," came a voice from the cave entrance.

It was Luka.

The leader raised an eyebrow. Luka stepped forward.

"Trust me. I'm not so far behind these guys," he said, cracking his knuckles with a smirk.

"Alright. Here's the plan. We're days away from the other teams. Obviously, they'll have to take breaks, and so will we," he said, glancing at the exhausted students. "So I suggest we split up. A group with enough stamina will head out to find one of the other teams. Once they link up, that team sends their strongest to meet us wherever we are after we leave this tunnel. With that kind of group, we might just make it out of here."

"Who's going to be in the other group?" Joey asked.

"Five teachers. But splitting up could hurt more than help" the leader admitted.

"Make it five teachers and one student," Luka volunteered.

"This isn't the time for bravery" the leader said, trying to dismiss him.

"No. I can keep up. I know I can. I need to make sure my sister is alright. That'll keep me going forever."

"…I like your determination, kid. Fine. Go with the group. You leave in an hour."

As the leader walked away to inform the rest, Harkel turned to Luka.

"Are you sure you can do this?"

"If my sister's in danger… then yeah. I know I can," Luka said with a confident smile.

A green-haired girl then sneezed while resting in some bushes with a bunch of others.

"Hey, are you okay Kira?" Nico asked, silently walking up to the girl.

"Yeah. You know what they say about sneezing—it only happens when someone's talking about you," Kira replied.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it," Nico said, looking Kira directly in the eyes.

Kira then sighed with a smile on her face. "I know my brother is still alive, Nico. I can feel it. And knowing him, he's probably trying to make his way to me right now.