Night fell over the forest. The air grew colder, and exhaustion was clear on everyone's faces.
Elder Peter stepped forward. "Isaac, we can't stay here. It's not safe."
Isaac nodded. The swarm had consumed the corpses, but the stench of blood still lingered. Wild animals or worse could be drawn to it.
"Where do we go?" one of the refugees asked.
Isaac thought for a moment. They needed a place to rest, but more importantly, they needed water. A stream would be ideal.
'Hopper.' He reached out through their connection. 'Is there a water source nearby?'
Hopper's response came quickly. 'Yes master, there's a stream not too far from here. Southwest, past the next ridge.'
Isaac looked at the group. "I think there's a stream nearby. We'll camp close to it."
Murmurs spread among the refugees. A few looked relieved, others still nervous, but no one argued.
Without wasting time, Isaac took the lead, guiding them through the darkened forest.
—-----
After a short walk, they finally reached the stream. The sound of rushing water filled the air.
"There's water!" someone shouted.
Relieved, the refugees hurried forward. Some knelt to drink, splashing cool water on their faces, while others started setting up camp. A few used whatever they had to collect water, while others prepared the last of their food.
Beside a pile of dry wood, the man with a high forehead struggled to start a fire. He rubbed two stones together, frustration clear on his face.
"Come on… just one spark," he muttered.
Aiah walked by without stopping. With a quick flick of her wrist, a small flame shot from her fingers, setting the wood on fire.
The man flinched, then let out a short laugh. "Well… that works."
Aiah didn't answer. She just sat by the fire, her face unreadable.
Isaac stepped into the stream. The icy water stung, but he ignored it, scrubbing off the dried blood and dirt. He let out a slow breath as exhaustion weighed him down.
Ben stood at the water's edge, watching him. "That was reckless, you know."
Isaac glanced up. "What?"
"The way you used that… swarm ability," Ben said carefully. "It almost drained you, didn't it?"
Isaac paused, letting the cold water flow through his hands. 'How does he know?'
He scooped up another handful, splashing his face before he finally spoke.
"It did what it needed to."
Ben sighed, shaking his head. "Yeah… but at what cost?"
Isaac dipped his head briefly, then looked at the stream. "What matters is that we're alive."
Ben frowned but didn't press further. "If you say so."
—-------
By the time Isaac went to the fire, the refugees had settled down to eat. Some shared small portions of food, while others ate quietly.
Isaac sat a little apart, chewing slowly.
But he could feel their eyes on him.
Curious. Cautious.
Finally, Aiah spoke.
"So…" She turned to him, arms crossed. "Who are you, really?"
The group fell silent. All eyes were on him now.
Isaac met her gaze. "What do you mean?"
Aiah scoffed. "You showed up out of nowhere, survived wounds that should've killed you, and now you're leading us through the forest like some kind of warrior. Forgive me if that seems a little… suspicious."
Elder Peter shifted uncomfortably. "Aiah."
"No, let her talk," Isaac said, cutting in. He set his bowl down, his voice calm but firm. "You want to know who I am?"
Aiah gave a small nod, her expression unreadable.
Isaac let out a slow breath. "I'm a farmer. From a small village in the Kingdom of Carreon."
Silence followed.
As soon as he said Carreon, a few of the refugees exchanged glances. Even without more explanation, they all understood, Carreon wasn't just any kingdom.
It was their neighbor, larger, wealthier, and far more powerful than Bulcan.
Aiah narrowed her eyes. "Carreon?"
Ben looked surprised. "You're from there?"
Some of the older refugees whispered among themselves. Even the children, who didn't fully understand politics, had heard of Carreon's strength.
"That kingdom is rich… why would someone like him be here?" a man muttered under his breath.
Isaac ignored their reactions. He wasn't here to explain himself.
Ben hesitated before asking, "What happened to you? When we found you, you were unconscious… barely alive."
Isaac's grip on his knee tightened.
Memories rushed back… his parents' massacre, the king's men hunting him, Mikaela's betrayal. But he didn't tell them everything.
He only said, "The King of Carreon sent men to kill me."
The murmurs stopped instantly.
A heavy silence settled over the campfire.
Some refugees looked shocked. Others looked wary.
Aiah's expression darkened. "You're saying… Carreon's king wanted you dead?"
Isaac didn't answer right away. His gaze stayed steady, unreadable.
"You're hiding something. And I don't trust people who keep secrets." Aiah continued.
Isaac met her stare without flinching. "Everyone has secrets."
His words felt pointed, like he wasn't just speaking in general, but directly at her.
She scoffed. "Then at least tell us why the King of Carreon wants you dead."
The group fell silent again. Their eyes locked onto him. The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows on their tired faces.
Isaac let out a slow breath. He could feel the weight of their curiosity, but also their suspicion. He thought about telling them everything. But what was the point? They didn't need the full truth. Not yet.
Finally, he spoke.
"I trusted someone," he said, his voice steady but hollow. "And it cost me everything."
The words hung in the air, heavy and final.
Aiah narrowed her eyes. "That's not an answer."
Before Isaac could respond, Hopper's voice echoed in his mind, hidden within the thickest part of his hair.
'Master, why don't you activate the Swarm Devour on them?'
Isaac's expression didn't change.
'Try that again, and I'll activate Swarm Devour on you,' he said flatly.
A panicked chitter came from Hopper before he went silent.
Isaac turned back to Aiah, his gaze serious. "That's the only answer you're getting."
Aiah leaned forward slightly. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But don't expect me to trust you."
She grabbed her plate and moved away, sitting alone.
—------
As the night deepened, the refugees settled in as best they could. Some lay on makeshift bedding, while others leaned against trees, too wary to sleep deeply. The only sounds were the crackling fire and the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind.
Isaac stayed awake, sitting behind a tree, his arms crossed. His thoughts were interrupted by a faint chittering sound in his mind.
'Master, I have returned,' a small voice said through their telepathic link.
Isaac's gaze shifted slightly. It was the small, dark locust he had sent to spy on the general.
'Report,' Isaac responded.
'The general and his men have marched away.'
Isaac's eyes narrowed slightly.
'As I expected, they decided not to take the risk. At least for now, the soldiers weren't an immediate threat.'
He let out a slow breath, his shoulders easing.
'Good job.'
The small locust twitched its wings excitedly. 'Master, may I have a name?'
Isaac blinked. 'A name?'
'Yes, like the other one,Hopper!'
Isaac exhaled, thinking for a moment. The locust was much smaller than the others, barely the size of his fingertip.
'Tiny,' he finally said.
The locust vibrated with excitement. 'Tiny… I like it! Thank you, Master!'
With that, Tiny flitted away, taking position as their lookout for the night.
Isaac leaned back against the tree trunk, his eyes scanning the dark forest.
For now, they were safe.
But for how long?