Against my better judgment, I found myself managing a few chats as we rode back to New Jurong. The first was the Four Horsemen chat.

  Siva: You think they’ll keep their word and honor the single combat?

  Chris: Hell no. The moment they start losing, it’ll turn into a full-on warzone.

  Jess: I don’t care. All I want is that bitch dead.

  Chris: We’ll get her. If everything doesn’t go as expected, there’ll be chaos, and we’ll get her then.

  Shawn: Can’t wait.

  Siva: Where the hell are you anyway?

  Shawn: Look up.

  I almost crashed the bike when I glanced up and saw Shawn flying high above us, surrounded by a purple aura. He looked like some messed-up, giant purple bird.

  Siva: Dude, how?

  Shawn: My cloak lets me float upwards only. I’m using my kinetic blasts to give me direction.

  Siva: How are you even horizontal?

  Shawn: Core strength, buddy. Core strength. But it’s starting to fucking hurt. I’ll see you back in camp.

  I closed that chat and moved to my conversation with Farah.

  Chris: You holding up?

  Farah: Yes. Thank you, Chris. I… I knew you’d come.

  Chris: Why did that psycho call you, my soulmate?

  She didn’t respond immediately, but eventually, she opened up. She told me how she had been out grinding with her team when she suddenly froze in place, unable to move or cast spells. Jennifer herself had brought her to the library, never touching her but accessing her mind. That’s how she took control of Farah’s chat to message me.

  That… wasn’t good. Seems that Jennifer was an empath. Like fucking Professor X. If she could freeze Farah with a thought, what would happen if she chose to be the champion during the single combat. We’d lose in an instant. But I expected this. It wasn’t going to be easy.

  Chris: You didn’t answer me, Farah.

  Farah: When I thought, I was going to die, my thoughts flashed to you, and she picked up on it.

  Her grip on me tightened as she rested her head on my back.

  Chris: Farah… I…

  Farah: Let’s just get back to base, okay? No more chatting.

  I sighed and closed that chat. I didn’t have time for this now, but I knew I'll have to circle back to this later. I had to focus on what was ahead.

  I moved to the chat with Prema.

  Chris: It’s on.

  Prema: Ok. I’ll get to work.

  I took a deep breath before opening the next chat. The one I was dreading the most.

  Chris: Eva. Is this going to work?

  Eva: I cannot compute the outcome, Chris. There are too many variables, but it is a sound plan. You will need to keep them occupied while Eric and I work.

  Chris: Ok. And you can drive the truck, correct?

  Eva: Yes, Chris. I’ll keep them safe.

  I closed that chat and moved to my chat with Eric.

  Chris: Dude, you and your team ready?

  Eric: Fuck no. You’re crazy. You’re all crazy. But I’m more afraid of Prema than I am of you. So yeah, We're fucking ready.

  Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  Chris: Ok.

  Eric: How long have you had your own personal AI?

  I didn’t answer. Instead, I closed the chat. We were nearing base, and the sky had turned dark. I knew there was one more conversation I had to have, and as I rode into the parking garage, I saw who I needed to speak with.

  Rajan.

  He was flanked by guitar guy and Linda, his gauntlet-wearing second-in-command. We parked, and after ensuring Farah was in Prema’s care, I walked over to him.

  Rajan gave me a stern look, about to speak, but I raised my hand, asking him to stop and move away from the crowd of people.

  The settlement was alive now. New arrivals had filtered in from other settlements, responding to our outreach and ready to join the fight. They were training, exchanging weapons, and talking. The place had come to life in the past few days, and it amazed me how much difference just a little time could make.

  I was distracted for a moment, watching Bane, no, Ben, hand Jess a single rose as she got off Siva’s bike. I could see Siva grinning from where I stood and I smiled at Jess’s startled reaction to the towering man holding out the delicate flower.

  “Think there’s a chance for those two?” I asked Rajan as we walked. He turned to look at the scene, then scoffed.

  “We have more pressing matters at hand, Chris.” He replied, his tone serious and his eyes hard. His two shadows hung back, giving us some space.

  I smiled, shrugging.

  “You put us into single combat with the Temple. Without asking me. I didn’t agree to this.” He began, his calm demeanor slipping for a moment. I grinned wider.

  “You’re free to back out or no-show, Rajan. But without us, you won’t stand a chance against the Temple. You and I both know they are stronger than us. That’s why you agreed to help in the first place, wasn’t it? You needed us.” I stepped closer, closing the distance.

  He didn’t flinch nor did he move back. He just took a moment to compose himself before the calm returned to his eyes. He considered me for a second before smiling slowly.

  “If that’s how you want it. You know it will devolve. You know the single combat gambit won’t hold.” he said calmly.

  I nodded, not backing down.

  “I know.” I said, my voice steady. “I’m counting on it. They’ll want an audience. I wanted them all in one place.”

  Rajan eyed me for a moment, a flicker of suspicion crossing his features before he asked, “What are you planning, Chris? Our mutual destruction?”

  “No. Our mutual survival.” I met his gaze, locking eyes with him. “You’re smart. You’ll figure it out.”

  “And after? You won’t have enough men to defeat me, Chris.” He said calmly, the challenge still clear in his voice.

  “We’ll see.” I replied, offering my hand. “Thank you for helping us.”

  He eyed my hand but then took it. The familiar strength of his grip tightened before he pulled me in, our faces inches apart.

  “This is the end of our partnership. The next time we meet, I won’t be so friendly.” He whispered, his voice low, before releasing his grip and walking away.

  I watched him call to Linda to gather their forces and prepare to ride out.

  I watched them go, noticing the Rebel fighters who had been embedded with our force slowly get up, hesitating before making their way to their vehicles. I saw reluctance in their faces, the quiet finality of their departure hanging in the air.

  Siva and Jess stood beside me in silence as we watched them go. Jess still had the single rose in her hand, and I noticed she waved to Ben as his truck drove off. He waved back enthusiastically.

  The camp fell silent for a moment before someone barked an order, and the buzz of activity resumed.

  We were walking back to our gazebo when Shawn crashed down in front of us, falling flat on his face. His purple aura flared briefly as he took a healing potion, then he lay on his back, panting and grimacing in pain.

  We just stared at him for a moment before Jess knelt beside him, asking if he was okay.

  “I’m never flying like that again. My abs…” He groaned, curling up into a fetal position on the ground.

  We laughed, helping him up and guiding him back to the gazebo. He winced with each step, but I knew most of it was for show. He had already taken a healing potion. He’d be fine.

  We settled into our cots, and I sat there in silence, having a quiet dinner. Afterward, Jess and Shawn took turns giving Siva hugs and words of encouragement. When it was my turn, I gave Siva a long, firm hug before pulling back and placing a hand on his shoulder.

  “You equipped? Got your stuff? Ready for this?” I asked, rapid-fire, like a concerned parent making sure their kid was ready for school.

  Siva smiled warmly and nodded.

  We walked him to his bike, the paramedic bike he had claimed as his own, and waved him off as he rode out of the settlement.

  Our chat pinged as he left.

  Siva: Don’t die. I’ll be back.

  Shawn: You too. Be fucking careful. We’ll save some for you.

  “Think he’ll get it done?” Shawn asked as we walked back to rest for the night.

  I nodded, thinking back to how he saved me on my first night against the monkeys, and how he almost died at Bird Paradise saving all of us. He had never failed me before. He wouldn’t fail us now.

  And I prayed, for once, I was correct.