Chapter 110: "The Reckoning March"

Chapter 110: "The Reckoning March"

The sun had barely begun to rise when the group set out on their long trek southward. The horizon ahead shimmered with heat, yet the mood was anything but warm. Ashley and Ikehara led the way, their hushed flirtations a sharp contrast to the gravity of their mission. They exchanged sly smiles, both indulging in the thrill of their looming victory, while behind them, the Big Seven walked with their heads lowered, deep in their own conversation.

Ecdy was the first to break the silence, kicking at the dirt. "I swear, if Tessa doesn't take over soon, I'm going to starve to death out here. My stomach feels like it's preparing for the apocalypse."

"Ecdy, this isn't the time for jokes," Nymff shot back, her brows furrowing. "Our lives could be in danger, and possibly the entire world. Rhemon might be resurrected, and that would spell doom for everyone."

Abdel added, his face taut with tension, "The legends say he planned to enslave the world, turning it into another Kael. It'd be a nightmare."

Adrian, who had been silent, finally spoke, his voice cutting through the group's chatter like ice. "Schools would close. Only Rhemonic institutions would remain. Hospitals? Gone. He would control who lives and who dies. Every economic transaction would flow through him. It would be catastrophic."

"Ahhh!—And these madmen want to wake him up?" Lhize hissed, his fists clenched. His twin, Lhiza, reached out, trying to calm him, but he jerked away, still fuming.

Their words, heavy with fear and uncertainty, seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Ashley and Ikehara remained absorbed in their world of whispers and coy smiles.

Nyala, her eyes wide with growing despair, looked around, her voice quivering, "What can we do now?"

Ecdy, surprisingly serious for once, answered with a frown. "Whatever the plan is, it depends on Tessa. If she doesn't regain control of her body soon, we're done for."

There was a moment of silence before the group turned to him, staring in shock. Then came the playful remarks, each laced with sarcasm.

"Never knew you had any sense," Abdel teased.

"So you can think?" Lhize added.

"There's actually a brain in that head of yours? Astounding," Nyala said, pretending to be impressed.

Ecdy's jaw dropped as the barrage of mockery hit him. "You assholes—I'm trying to help here!"

The group burst into laughter, the tension that had gripped them finally loosening its hold. But the lightheartedness faded quickly as Nymff brought them back to reality. "So, what do we do now?"

Adrian's cold voice cut through the laughter, chilling the air around them. "We wait. We watch. We prepare."

The weight of his words sank in, and the group fell into a grim silence, continuing their journey southward, the landscape growing more desolate with each step.

---

Meanwhile, within the confines of Tessa's mind, a battle raged.

"You insane bastards!" Tessa's voice thundered in her own head, her rage palpable. "You want to wake Rhemon up? Are you out of your minds? Rhemon is a madman—why would anyone in their right mind want to bring him back?"

Ashley's laugh echoed through her consciousness, sharp and mocking. "Relax, princess. We're just waking him up, that's all. It's not like Rhemon is going to do anything worse than what humans have already done to themselves. Greedy, selfish creatures. Look at how they destroy themselves at every turn. You should know this better than anyone, as a Kaelrian."

"You're wrong!" Tessa retorted, her anger blazing. "Yes, there are bad people, but there are also good people. And people can change! Just because they're lost now doesn't mean they can't find their way back. We have our share of bad Kaelrians too—look at you!"

Ashley's laugh morphed into something more sinister. "Naive, Tessa. So naive. People don't change. But it's cute that you think so. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Something big is coming. See you in a few..."

With that, Ashley's presence receded, leaving Tessa alone in the darkness, her mind racing. I need to take back control of my body—fast. I need to warn them...

---

Two days passed.

Tessa finally managed to wrestle control of her body back from Ashley. She let out a deep breath and gathered the group, ensuring everyone had a chance to rest and eat. The march had taken its toll, and they needed their strength for what lay ahead.

They found themselves at a massive restaurant on the outskirts of a bustling town. The atmosphere inside was lively, with the clatter of utensils and the hum of conversations filling the air. The place was divided into distinct sections, each catering to different classes of people. The more affluent dined under glittering chandeliers, while those less fortunate sat in the dimly lit corners.

When the group entered, their appearance—dusty from the road and dressed like warriors—immediately drew suspicion. A young waitress, her eyes wide with uncertainty, approached them, gesturing toward the poorer section.

Ecdy's patience snapped. His voice was venomous as he barked at her, "Jane, if you know what's good for you, you'll lead us to the rich section. Just because we look like this doesn't mean we're poor. Crazy bitch."

The waitress recoiled, and the commotion drew the attention of the restaurant's manager, who rushed over, offering apologies. "Please forgive my staff. But I must ask—are you sure you can afford the rich section? The meals here are taxed heavily, and there are no free handouts."

Ecdy's face darkened, his rage boiling over. "Is your restaurant trying to lose clients?" He took a threatening step forward, but before things escalated further, the manager and his staff managed to calm him down, leading the group to one of the most luxurious areas of the restaurant.

Ikehara watched in confusion. He couldn't understand why Ashley—normally so dominant, especially in situations like this—was unusually quiet. She let Ecdy and the others handle everything. It wasn't like her at all. Why does she change so much when it's time to rest and eat? he wondered, the mystery gnawing at him.

Once seated, the group tore into the food with abandon. Plates piled high with roasted meats, bowls of fragrant rice, and an array of rich side dishes. Nyala didn't wait for the formalities; she dove into her meal the moment it hit the table. Nymff grabbed chunks of meat with the desperation of someone drowning and reaching for a lifeline. Even Adrian, usually so composed, ate heartily, his hunger clear in the way he devoured his food.

The restaurant manager stood at a distance, eyes wide with disbelief. The group was consuming enough food to feed an army—nearly a thousand people, yet they were only 45. His mind raced with worry. Can they really pay for all this?

The thought hung in the air, but no one voiced it. The group ate in silence, gathering their strength for the storm that was sure to come.

---