The Alien Within

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Chapter 49: Into the Zyeck Zone

The forest air had grown tense as they ventured deeper toward the ominous Zyeck zone, where danger loomed at every turn. Tessa's mind replayed the words from the scouts about the gator who hated humans.

They were entering hostile territory, and the calmness of the deers beneath them could only offer so much comfort. The sun was high, but the thick canopy of trees made the path feel like they were sinking into a shadowy abyss.

Ecdy, ever watchful of Tessa, rode closely behind her. His demeanor was noticeably different from the other soldiers, his eyes sharp and focused solely on her every move. The affection he barely concealed flared as he tried to ride closer, but Adrian's presence nearby kept him in check, albeit just barely.

"Stay on guard," Tessa said softly, her voice cutting through the silence, though her thoughts were on the moon goddess's message from the previous night. The remnants of her dream still clung to her like mist, clouding her focus.

Adrian, riding beside her with an unbothered expression, glanced over. "You seem distracted," he noted.

Before Tessa could respond, a shout erupted behind them.

"You! Stop acting like you're so untouchable!" Ecdy's voice rang out, trembling with emotion. He had his eyes locked onto Adrian, whose calm demeanor only seemed to fuel his irritation. "You think you're some god because you're riding beside her?"

Adrian barely spared him a glance, his disinterest clear. "It's not worth fighting an ant," he muttered under his breath, loud enough for Ecdy to hear but soft enough to make him feel insignificant.

Ecdy's face turned red with rage. He opened his mouth to retort, but before he could release another word, suddenly, a blur shot out from the trees.

In an instant, an alligator soldier—its scales glistening dark green—lunged at Ecdy with blinding speed, its fangs bared and ready to tear into him. Time seemed to slow as the beast's jaws came inches from Ecdy's throat.

But before the creature could make contact, a fierce, glowing energy burst from Adrian's hand. The blast struck the alligator, sending it crashing into the trees with a deafening thud.

Ecdy's breath caught in his throat, his eyes wide with disbelief. The minion of Gator lay motionless in the brush, its body scorched.

His heart raced as the reality of the situation dawned on him—Adrian had just saved his life.

"You..." Ecdy stammered, looking at Adrian, who continued forward as if nothing had happened. "You saved me..."

"You're welcome," Adrian said nonchalantly. He didn't even look back, his voice carrying a chilling indifference. But there was an unspoken message in the way his eyes flicked briefly to Tessa, as if to remind Ecdy who had truly drawn him into this fight.

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the air.

One of Nyala's soldiers, one of the seventy-two, fell from his deer, clutching the bleeding stump of his arm as an alligator clamped down on it. Blood sprayed across the forest floor as the man's cries echoed. Chaos erupted, soldiers grabbing their weapons, but Nyala was faster.

With a swift movement, she hurled her spear. It sliced through the air and buried itself deep in the gator's head, killing it instantly. The beast collapsed, releasing the soldier's severed arm as its last breath hissed out.

"Everyone, off the deers!" Nyala shouted, her voice commanding. "We need to keep them safe and be ready to fight!"

The group dismounted in a frenzy. The deers, sensing the danger, trotted back to the rear, their large, intelligent eyes glancing nervously at the approaching menace. More shadows stirred in the forest—Gator's minions were closing in.

Tessa's heart thumped wildly, her gaze falling on Adrian. He looked as if he hadn't even broken a sweat. As if the chaos around them was beneath him. His confidence, that maddening indifference, made her stomach churn with a strange mixture of exasperation and admiration.

"Stay close," Adrian said, his voice low and calm, as he took a step forward, readying himself for whatever came next. "Things are about to get worse."

The sounds of the forest grew ominously quiet, save for the low growl that reverberated from the shadows ahead, they were entering Gator's domain now and they needed to be ready.

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Tessa's heart raced as Nyala rushed toward the fallen soldier, her determination unwavering. The sight of the severed arm sent a chill down Tessa's spine, but she couldn't let fear overwhelm her. She followed Nyala, her instincts guiding her closer to the scene of chaos.

Kneeling beside the soldier, Nyala's expression was a mixture of urgency and despair. "Stay with me!" she urged, gripping the soldier's shoulder, her voice steady but laced with worry. The soldier, pale and trembling, looked up at her, the shock of pain etched across his face.

"Nyala…" he gasped, his breath shallow. "I-I can't…"

"Don't speak!" she insisted, scanning the area for any immediate threats. The howls of Gator's minions echoed in the trees, growing louder as if responding to the chaos. The gators were coming.

Nyala turned her gaze back to Tessa, her eyes wide with desperation. "Tessa!" she called, her voice cutting through the tumult. "You have to help him! Please, heal him! It's one of the abilities of the moon goddess!"

Tessa hesitated, doubt creeping in as she remembered the weight of such a request. She had never healed someone so gravely injured, and fear gnawed at her resolve. But looking at Nyala, whose fierce determination shone through even in this dire moment, Tessa felt a spark of courage ignite within her.

"I… I'll try," Tessa replied, her voice steadier than she felt. She knelt beside Nyala, feeling the urgency of the situation as the howls grew closer. She placed her hands gently over the wounded soldier's arm, closing her eyes to focus on the warmth that emanated from within her.

As she concentrated, Tessa felt a familiar connection with the moon goddess—a rush of energy that surged through her. A soft glow enveloped her hands, illuminating the dark forest around them. The soldier gasped as the pain began to fade, warmth spreading from her touch. She could feel the severed nerves knitting together, the tissue repairing itself.

"Come on, come on," Nyala whispered, her voice filled with hope and anxiety, glancing around as the howling intensified. Tessa's heart raced with the effort, each heartbeat echoing in her ears as she poured her energy into the healing.

But just as the glow reached its peak, a deep growl reverberated through the trees. The first of Gator's minions broke through the underbrush—a massive alligator, its eyes gleaming with malice, its jaws snapping as it caught sight of the vulnerable group.

"Nyala!" Tessa shouted, her concentration wavering as fear surged through her.

"We need to move!" Nyala exclaimed, rising to her feet, her spear gripped tightly in her hands. "Finish what you started, Tessa! We can't let them get to him!"

With a final surge of will, Tessa completed the healing, feeling the energy drain from her as the soldier's arm healed before her eyes. He let out a strangled cry of relief, flexing his fingers in disbelief.

"I—I'm okay!" he gasped, blinking up at Tessa. "You did it!"

"Get ready!" Nyala shouted as she prepared for battle, glancing over her shoulder at the advancing gator. The howling intensified, and more shadows emerged from the trees, their forms shifting ominously in the dim light.

As Tessa stood, she felt the adrenaline coursing through her veins. The healed soldier clambered to his feet, joining Nyala in the front line as they braced themselves for the onslaught. Adrian, ever calm and collected, positioned himself beside them, ready to unleash his power once more.

The forest held its breath, the howls echoing ominously as they awaited the confrontation. They had healed one soldier, but the battle ahead would test their strength, their resolve, and their very survival.

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