Chapter 72: Tension and Tree drama!

Chapter 72: Tension and Tree drama,

Nyala's voice held authority as she issued her command. "Lhaze, Lhize, take the General. Prepare the room for interrogation."

The twins, Lhaze and Lhize, moved swiftly, their silent coordination a testament to their years together as Rhemonic scouts.

They dragged the bruised and exhausted General Rwald Dune, his once-proud form now slumped in defeat, to the chamber set aside for Tessa's interrogation.

The General's eyes flared with bitterness, but his body betrayed him, too weakened by the earlier battle to put up any more resistance. His pride remained the only thing he hadn't surrendered.

As the twins secured him, they exchanged a glance. Lhaze's mouth twitched into a smirk. "This one's seen better days," she whispered to her sister.

Lhize chuckled softly. "And worse days are coming."

They finished their task and hurried off to find Tessa, who was currently wrapped in a quiet moment of reprieve with her mother and Mr. Thompson.

---

In Ms Caldwell's tent...

Initially, Ms. Caldwell's worry had reached its peak the moment she saw Tessa return, however, Ms. Caldwell, now calm after the initial surge of emotion, softened as she pulled Tessa into a gentler embrace.

"You have no idea how proud I am of you. I've watched you grow from that scared little girl into... well, into someone even I can't fully understand. But no matter what, you're still my Tessa." Her voice wavered slightly, but there was undeniable love in her words.

Tessa smiled, her own emotions now rising to the surface. "Mom, everything I've done—it's because of you. You showed me what it means to fight for what's right. I wouldn't be here without you."

Mr. Thompson, who had been standing nearby, shifted awkwardly, as though he wanted to say something but wasn't sure how. His usually stern expression softened. "You know," he began, clearing his throat, "I've always tried to keep things professional, but seeing you now... It's hard not to feel like... family."

Tessa and Ms. Caldwell turned toward him, surprise in their eyes. He fumbled for words, clearly unused to expressing such personal feelings. "I mean, I... I care about both of you. I'd never let anything happen to either of you." His voice cracked a little, and he quickly wiped his eyes, trying to maintain his composure. "It's been an honor."

Ms. Caldwell chuckled softly, pulling him into the hug with her free arm. "Oh, Mr. Thompson, don't go getting all mushy on us now."

But the sincerity of the moment wasn't lost on Tessa. She felt warmth surge through her, the weight of the battles momentarily lifted by the love and support surrounding her. "Thank you," she whispered, holding them both tightly, grateful for this brief pause in the storm.

For a moment, it was just the three of them, wrapped in a bubble of warmth and quiet understanding, all bound together by love, survival, and the unshakable bonds they had built.

In the euphoria of that moment, Lhaze and Lhize approached, their faces grim. "Tessa, it's time."

---

Meanwhile, Adrian had gone searching for Nymff, she whispered somethings into his ear when they got to camp that left him confused, so his curiosity piqued, and after the long day's events he decided to ask her what that was about.

He found her sitting high on the low branch of a massive tree, her lithe form swaying slightly as she bobbed her head to the rhythm of a song playing through her earbuds.

With the influence of Adrian, and Tessa, the locals had been introduced to technology, so it's no surpsie to find Nymff engrossed with song blasting through her earbuds synced to an mp player.

It wasn't just any song, either—it was "Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem and Rihanna, and Nymff was utterly engrossed, her lips moving to the rapid-fire rap.

As Eminem's words flowed, Nymff's body moved in perfect sync, her hands occasionally gesturing as though she were the one delivering the lines:

"Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano…"

Her shoulders rolled in time with the music, her feet tapping on the branch. The fierce, unapologetic energy of the song seemed to fuel her movements, every line pulling her deeper into the zone:

"Look me in the eyeball, next time I'm pissed, I'll aim my fist at the drywall… Next time? There won't be no next time..."

Suddenly, a figure landed beside her, swift and light as a feather—Adrian. His presence was a sharp contrast to the intensity of the song. He barely made a sound, but Nymff still jumped, her earbuds yanking free as she spun around.

"Hey!" she yelped, her eyes wide. "You scared me!"

Adrian chuckled softly, raising his hands in a playful surrender. "Sorry, didn't mean to intrude on your... performance." His eyes glinted with amusement.

Nymff rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Well, you did." She playfully shoved him, but Adrian was still too quick on his feet to be moved. "But I'll forgive you."

There was a brief, comfortable silence between them as Nymff's smirk faded. The lightness of the moment was suddenly replaced by something else, something unspoken.

Nymff's gaze lingered on Adrian, and before he could react, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.

For a moment, time seemed to stop.

But just as quickly as it had started, reality came crashing back. They pulled apart, eyes wide, as the awkwardness of the moment settled in.

Then Lhize's figure came to their notice, and instinctively, both of them spoke at the same time, "It's not what it looks like!"

A soft cough interrupted them. Lhize stood a few feet away, arms raised in mock surrender. "Don't shoot me, I don't even know what's going on here."

Adrian and Nymff both looked away, their cheeks flushed as Lhize delivered her message. "Tessa wants to see you, Adrian. It's about the General."

---

The Interrogation Room

When Tessa entered the dimly lit chamber, General Rwald Dune was already seated, his hands bound in front of him. His face, still bruised from the earlier battle, was a mask of bitterness, but Tessa could see the cracks in his composure.

Adrian joined her moments later, his usual calm confidence radiating off him. "Shall we?" he asked with a casual nod toward the General.

Tessa's expression hardened as she stepped forward. The once-proud General, now a prisoner in their camp, looked up at her, eyes flashing with defiance.

"You've lost, General," Tessa said, her voice steady but not unkind. "But that doesn't mean it's over. We need answers, and you're going to give them to us."

Behind her, Ecdy and Nymff entered, flanking either side of the room. The twins, Lhaze and Lhize, stood near the door, arms crossed, watching the exchange with keen interest.

General Dune sneered, but the defiance in his eyes flickered. "You think you can just waltz in here and interrogate me? I'm not some puppet on strings."

Ecdy grinned, leaning forward with mock sympathy. "Aw, the big bad General's losing his nerve. You know, Nymff, I think we should offer him a cup of tea or something. He looks parched."

Nymff masking her shyness from earlier, nodded sagely, her lips quirking into a smirk. "Maybe some biscuits too. He could use a little pick-me-up after that... impressive defeat."

General Dune's hands clenched into fists, but he remained silent, glaring at the two of them.

Tessa glanced at Adrian, who smiled back at her. "Let's see what he's really made of."

And so, the interrogation began.

---