The days had turned into a merciless hunt. Keth, Rex, and Maingan had spent the past week tracking and eliminating the remaining soldiers on the island, one by one. It was dangerous work, but they had the advantage—the land was theirs now.
The Guardian's power coursed through them, making them faster, sharper, deadlier. The soldiers had no chance.
Or so they thought.
---
The Ambush
Keth crouched low in the undergrowth, watching the flickering firelight of the last group of soldiers. They were camped near a ruined temple by the coast. Their numbers had dwindled, but they were still dangerous.
Rex was beside him, unusually quiet. Maingan was just a few feet away, gripping his dagger.
Keth whispered as he moved slowly, his golden eyes burning with quiet intensity.
"We take them by surprise. No noise. No mistakes."
Rex nodded, but his eyes were distant. Maingan shot him a glance, noticing something was wrong.
"You sure you're up for this?"
Rex avoided his gaze and kept moving, his fists clenched at his sides.,
"Yeah... just stay close."
Keth signaled, and they moved.
They crept forward, their steps silent, their blades drawn—
Then, suddenly—
The soldiers turned.
Weapons already drawn.
Keth so realized that something was off, His eyes widened as he shouted to alarm the boys.
"It's a trap!"
Too many. Too prepared.
The soldiers lunged.
Keth dodged, driving his sword into the nearest man's chest. Blood sprayed as he twisted free, already moving to the next.
Maingan fought hard, blocking a spear strike and slashing his attacker across the throat.
Rex?
Rex had vanished.
---
The Capture
Maingan was holding his own, but there were too many.
A soldier slammed into him from behind, knocking him to the ground. He kicked, struggled—
But the ropes were already binding his wrists.
Keth fought to reach him, cutting through soldier after soldier. He was winning—the soldiers were falling, one by one—
Then, through the chaos—
He heard Rex's voice.
Too close.
Too calm.
Rex keeping his voice low, spoke quietly to a soldier
"I did what you wanted. Now take him and let me go."
Keth froze.
---
Too Late
Maingan's eyes widened in horror as he struggled, whispering in disbelief.
"You... you sold me out."
Rex's fists clenched. He wouldn't meet Maingan's gaze.
Rex muttered mostly to himself,
"It wasn't supposed to happen like this."
The soldiers yanked Maingan to his feet, dragging him toward the coast.
Keth, still fighting, had no idea.
He didn't hear the exchange.
He didn't see the betrayal.
All he knew was that Maingan was gone.
And Rex?
Rex came running back from the trees, panting, his eyes wild. He pointed toward the coast, breathless
"Father! They took him! They're taking Maingan to the ship!"
Keth, heart pounding, turned.
The rescue ship.
Sails unfurling.
Maingan—struggling against his captors on the deck.
Keth roared in fury as he raced to rescue Maingan.
"NO!"
He ran.
---
The Escape
Keth killed three more soldiers before reaching the water. He dove in, swimming hard toward the ship.
Maingan locked eyes with him, desperation flooding his gaze. He yelled,
"Keth!"
Keth swam harder, pushing against the waves—
But the ship was already pulling away.
The wind caught the sails.
Keth reached the dock just as the ship disappeared into the mist.
He stood there, soaked, breathless, furious.
Behind him, Rex stood frozen.
Watching.
Waiting.
Keth clenched his fists.
He had failed.
He had lost Maingan.
And he never once suspected that Rex had been the reason why.
---
The Weight of Betrayal
That night, as they sat by the fire, Keth stared at the flames, silent.
Maingan was gone.
The soldiers were dead.
And Rex?
Rex sat on the other side of the fire, head down, saying nothing.
Because deep down, he knew.
He had doomed Maingan.
And Keth would never even know the truth.