The Alien Within

Chapter 46: The Scales of the Damned

Nyala's scout stepped forward from the dense brush, his face taut with urgency. He scanned the group, pausing briefly on Nyala before addressing Tessa and Adrian.

"The best route to Riverdale City is… problematic," he began, his voice gravelly from the trek. "We've scouted two possible paths. One leads through the dam, a deathtrap for most. Only the strongest might survive the currents and pressure there."

Adrian smirked at the mention, leaning casually against a tree, eyes gleaming with amusement. Tessa's brows furrowed as she absorbed the information, though the dam didn't frighten her as much as it would for ordinary humans.

"And the second path?" Tessa asked, eyes narrowing.

Nyala stiffened. "Through the Zyeck zone."

The group fell into an uneasy silence. The very mention of that place seemed to sap the confidence of even the most seasoned warriors.

"The Zyeck zone?" Tessa repeated, a faint frown forming. "What exactly are we dealing with?"

Nyala exhaled, folding her arms across her chest as if bracing herself. "It's the territory of Gator," she explained. "Once human, betrayed by his closest friend, he transformed into a beast driven by vengeance. He hates humans with a passion and has never let one leave his territory alive. He's… close to becoming human again, but for now, he's more monster than man."

Tessa's lips pressed into a thin line. Either way, both paths led into extreme danger. She glanced at Adrian, who had an almost bored expression on his face, seemingly unbothered by the options.

"Well," Adrian said, breaking the silence with his usual air of arrogance, "I'm the scariest thing you'll see in this forest." He gave Tessa a sidelong glance, smirking. "Well, apart from the Representative of the Moon Goddess." His tone was teasing, and Tessa shot him a glare, though a smirk threatened her lips.

Nyala's people murmured amongst themselves, uncertainty rippling through the group. She turned back to them, her expression firm. "We are 140, but only 72 are young and strong enough for this mission. The others will remain to guard the village."

Tessa nodded. "We'll need every one of them."

---

Ikehara's Lair

Meanwhile, deep within the heart of an ancient underground cavern, far from the discussions of paths and dangers, the cold air hummed with dark energy.

Ikehara knelt beside Rhemon's unconscious form, in the dim light of his cavern, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and power, his brow furrowed as his eyes traced the slow pulse of electricity flickering around the man's body.

Rhemon's presence was as menacing as ever, even in this dormant state. His skin gleamed with unnatural power, and every now and then, small bolts of lightning would spark from his hands, grounding themselves into the stone floor.

Ikehara's wounds from the encounter with Tessa still ached, but his thoughts were consumed by the motionless figure beside him—Rhemon.

Electricity crackled around Rhemon's form, dancing across his skin as if barely contained by the flesh that housed it. Even in unconsciousness, his power was palpable, his presence oppressive.

Ikehara clenched his jaw, staring at the energy sparking from Rhemon's fingers. Tessa's interference had delayed the inevitable, but it wouldn't stop it. He would revive Rhemon, no matter the cost.

"The five ingredients…" Ikehara muttered, standing over the slumbering menace. His eyes flashed as he began listing them.

"The blood leaf," he hissed. "It blooms only under the light of a full moon. Thanks to that girl, I'll have to wait another cycle to harvest it."

His voice trembled with frustration, but he continued. "The sand of Lino, harvested from the bones of a creature that has absorbed the very essence of time. It's the only thing capable of anchoring Rhemon's essence back to this world."

He paced beside Rhemon, his frustration growing with every word. "The cloak of restoration, hidden in the temple of Akaron. Only those with the bloodline of the moon goddess can access it."

His voice darkened further. "The drop of moon dew, a substance only obtainable with the goddess's blessing. Without it, the restoration would be incomplete."

Finally, Ikehara's voice turned into a low growl. "And the fire of the sun. A flame that burns in the core of the world, powerful enough to reignite life."

He cast a dark glance at Rhemon's body, watching as the electricity flared and then settled again. The task was almost impossible—but not beyond his reach. With those ingredients, Rhemon would rise again, and not even the moon goddess's chosen could stop him.

---

The Plan's Tipping Point

Back in the clearing, Tessa and Adrian stood surrounded by Nyala's warriors, the weight of the decision pressing down on them all. The path to Riverdale City, where the SSG branch awaited them, was fraught with danger no matter which way they turned.

Nyala laid out the map, the flickering light from the torches casting long shadows over the parchment. "The dam is here," she said, tracing a finger along the winding river. "If we go this way, we'll need to brace for the currents and the pressure. No human can survive it."

Tessa glanced at the map, her fingers trailing lightly over the marks. The dam was indeed treacherous, but it was something she and Adrian could survive. Still, it posed a risk to the others.

"And the Zyeck zone?" Tessa asked, voice grim.

Nyala nodded, her face tight with worry. "It's farther around. Gator rules the territory here. We could try to slip through unnoticed, but it's almost impossible. He senses when humans enter his land."

Tessa's heart pounded. Both options were daunting, but there was no time to hesitate.

Adrian shrugged, that same infuriating confidence still hanging around him like a cloak. "The dam might kill them," he said lazily, "but the Zyeck zone… Well, that sounds like a bit more fun."

Tessa shot him an incredulous look. "Fun? Adrian, this is serious."

"I know," he replied, his grin widening. "That's what makes it fun."

Tessa sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're impossible."

But Adrian's confidence had the desired effect. The unease that had settled over the group lifted, just a little. His arrogance was maddening, but it was also infectious. If Adrian could walk into danger with a smirk, they could follow with a little more hope.

Nyala's gaze swept over her warriors, eyes hardening with resolve. "Seventy-two of us will go. We'll take the Zyeck zone. We have no choice."

Tessa nodded. It wasn't the safest path, but it was the only one that made sense. They had a mission to complete, and time was not on their side.

With one last glance at the map, Tessa met Nyala's gaze. "We move at dawn."

The decision was made. Now all that was left was to face the path ahead, no matter what it held.