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(Camp)
Inside the camp leader's tent
The leader's tent was larger than the others around the camp, with two guards standing watch outside.
Inside, four people were gathered.
"You came all the way here and brought this outsider with you. What do you want?" asked Seyra, the camp leader.
"I came to tell you… I'm leaving," said Kaelia, kneeling. Her brother stood beside her.
"Leaving? Where to? And why?" Seyra questioned.
"You know I wouldn't go unless I had to… I would never abandon this place, and you know that. You cared for me and my brother when we needed it most," Kaelia replied.
"If you're really leaving, at least tell me where you're going…" said Seyra.
"I'm not leaving forever. I'll be back. I'm going with my brother—and with him—to the capital."
"The capital? You know our people aren't welcome there. And you're still going?"
"Yes," Kaelia said softly.
Seyra sighed.
"I can see I won't change your mind. Whatever you're planning, just be careful on your way to Darnathi. There are dangers out there you can't even imagine."
"I will. I promise," Kaelia said.
"Don't worry, I'll protect her," said Rhydan.
"There's something else I need to tell you. My people won't stay here much longer. I've already given orders—we're preparing to move out. We're leaving this place. I've had the remaining spaceships readied," Seyra explained.
"Leaving? Where will you go?" Kaelia asked, concerned.
"We can't stay here. We don't know if that thing that attacked us will return… There are rumors—far to the north, there's a safe haven. A place called Zarnith. They say there's a hidden city in the mountains. That's where we're heading. It's our last hope."
"I see… Good luck. I hope you all make it there safely," Kaelia said sincerely.
Kaelia and Rhydan remained kneeling before the camp leader. They both held deep respect for her—she had taken them in and given them a home.
Henry stood off in the distance, watching. He couldn't understand much of the conversation, as he wasn't fluent in their language.
Kaelia and her brother exited the tent, and Henry followed.
Outside the tent
"Pack your things. We're leaving soon. My spaceship should have enough fuel to reach Nuvaar. I'm not sure this is a good idea, sister… but if it's what you want, then I'm coming with you," Rhydan said.
"Thank you," she replied, touched.
"To be honest, I've got nothing to take with me."
"Alright. I'm going to take a walk around the camp—see if there's anyone crazy enough to come with us to Darnathi," Rhydan said.
Kaelia and Rhydan separated to make preparations.
Rhydan moved through the camp, looking for others who might join them. Having extra hands would be useful… Not that they really needed them, considering they had Henry.
(Hours later)
The camp was alive with activity. People were moving in every direction, getting ready to leave for Nuvaar. Eventually, many began departing.
Henry stood in the opposite direction of the moving crowd. He was waiting for the others.
After a while, he saw a small group approaching.
Alongside the two siblings he'd already met, he spotted new faces.
First, there was a striking woman with braided hair tied in a bun, an athletic build, and several visible battle scars. Her green eyes gave her a fierce look—she seemed like a seasoned warrior.
Then came a thin boy, around the same age as the others, with messy hair, a worn travel cloak, and glasses. He looked more like a guide or researcher than a fighter.
Henry judged him quickly—he didn't seem the combat type. More of a scholar or archaeologist. Maybe even a bit of a coward at first glance.
The last was a woman who seemed slightly older, maybe in her mid-twenties. She wore simple clothes—a sleeveless shirt and black pants. Her long black hair was swept to the left, and a futuristic-looking revolver was holstered at her waist.
The group approached Henry, each carrying a backpack and armed in some way, clearly prepared to travel.
Rhydan, the group's leader and guide to Darnathi, stepped forward.
"Hey, come meet the team," Rhydan said.
Henry walked over and greeted them.
"Hi, everyone… I'm—" but before he could finish, someone cut him off.
It was Larek—the boy with glasses who looked like a coward.
"Thank you so much. I have to say, I'm really grateful! Because of you, I finally get to go to Darnathi. You have no idea how long I've waited for this. See, I'm not exactly a fighter, and there aren't many people crazy enough to travel through the Void," Larek said, shaking Henry's hand enthusiastically.
"Uh… you're welcome, I guess," Henry replied.
"I'm Larek Vin. Just call me Larek. You can't imagine how long I've dreamed of this day. I've always wanted to leave this camp and search for answers. Long ago, I found ancient artifacts—runes from the Old Ones. They told stories about our past. According to them, our people didn't originate here… I've been searching for answers ever since. I believe I'll find them in Darnathi."
"Oh… I see," Henry said, unsure how to respond.
"Don't scare the poor guy. Not everyone's as obsessed with questions as you are," said the woman with the long hair. "I'm Velra Syn. You can call me Velra. I won't say much, but there's something I need to do in Darnathi. This is my chance. I've been there before—I could've gone alone—but it's way too dangerous."
The last person stepped up to introduce herself.
"I'm Teyna Voss. Nice to meet all of you. I used to be an engineer back when Karnath still existed. I can fix just about anything. I was a warrior once, too, during my time in Darnathi… Now I want to go back—to find a friend," she said.
She was beautiful, but something in her eyes told Henry she'd suffered greatly.
"Let's move. Follow me," Rhydan called.
He led the group to one of the camp's spaceships.
Spaceships were rare and valuable in the Phantom Zone, especially for those of lower caste—those born inside the Zone who lacked access to old technology.
Rhydan guided them to an open area.
There stood a large spaceship.
It had two sturdy landing supports. A viewing port sat in the middle, and near the front landing gear, a hatch was clearly visible as the entrance.
The ship's two rear thrusters gleamed under the pale light. Overall, it looked well-kept and even elegant.
"What do you think? A real beauty, right?" Rhydan asked.
"Wow… It's better than you described," said Teyna.
"Hey, no need to rub it in," Rhydan grumbled.
"Come on, none of us are rich," said Teyna.
"Yeah, no need to remind us we're poor—we know," Rhydan sighed.
"Whatever. Let's board."
The group climbed aboard, carrying their travel gear.
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(Inside Rhydan's spaceship)
The interior was clean and white. It wasn't a huge ship, but there were enough small rooms for everyone, plus a bathroom. Space was limited—no running or big movements—but for one of the largest ships in the camp, no one could complain.
They walked through the narrow hallways and reached the cockpit.
It was just as white and sleek. Two pilot seats sat before a console filled with blinking buttons and controls.
"Where's my room?" Henry asked.
""Pick any you want, but if you break anything… I swear you're all gonna pay. I'm already being way too generous not charging you in varns for this ride—wait, hold on… is it too late to slap a price tag on this?.
"Yeah, too late," said Velra, already seated.
Everyone found a spot and settled in while Rhydan finished preparations. As they waited for takeoff, they exchanged questions and small talk. Whether they liked it or not, they were a team now—and would have to tolerate each other until they reached Darnathi.
Rhydan ran final checks and confirmed fuel levels. Then he stepped into the cockpit and sat down.
He pressed several controls, and the engines roared to life.
The landing supports retracted, the hatch sealed shut.
And soon, Rhydan's spaceship lifted off the ground—heading into the sky.
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