Evolution of the Ruined Heir-Chapter 284: Access

Malakai was surprised. He knew he cared for Renlo, but he had never imagined he would act this way because of the kid. He’d never imagined that he would feel so much pain at his loss.

’He might still be alive.’ Valentine’s voice cut through his thoughts. Of all the logical things he’d said today, Malakai hadn’t expected such an illogical statement from him.

’It’s the truth,’ Valentine said.

Malakai held his calm.

’How could he still be alive?’ he asked.

’Um... they could have captured him.’

’They were sent here to kill us. Why would they capture him?’

Valentine fell silent for a moment.

’I don’t know, but... considering everything. They failed to complete their objectives. The smart thing to do is acquire a hostage. Your relationship with Renlo is known by all, right?’

Everyone must have seen them always together at the clan’s training camp, and he had forced Rhett to choose Renlo alongside him.

’Yeah...’ Malakai allowed himself to hope. He clenched his fist.

’Try asking them. Did they explicitly see Renlo die? Or when searching, did they find the body of any darkness creature aside from where they fought?’

Malakai’s mind had begun to spin before Valentine could even finish speaking. Everything the ghost said made so much sense he felt stupid for not thinking it. He blamed it on overreacting.

"Did any of you see Renlo die?" he finally asked, breaking the silence.

They glanced at each other before slowly shaking their heads. "No," Laila said. "And Captain Rhett said he didn’t see anything or battle aside from ours."

"So no one saw him die?"

"No one," she agreed, not fully getting what he was on about.

"What about any lone corpse of a darkness creature, aside from where you fought?"

Laila sighed. "There was nothing like that. Aside from where we fought, we couldn’t find any."

Malakai looked toward Nyx. She nodded quickly.

"Then he might still be alive."

Laila furrowed her brow, and even Grunde was serious. They waited for Malakai to speak.

"Their mission failed. The most logical move is to take a hostage."

Laila gave Malakai a look that screamed; you’re reaching.

But Malakai’s eyes only grew more determined. "I know what you all think." He also turned toward Nyx, he could feel her hesitant look.

"But there’s a chance I’m right. The question now is, are we going to ignore the slight chance that Renlo is alive, or are we going to do something about it?"

"Do something about it!" Grunde thundered before anyone else could speak, raising his fist high. "If chubby cheeks is alive, we have to help him!"

Laila couldn’t hide the hesitation in her eyes. But even she couldn’t deny the reasoning. Regardless, it was easier said than done.

"Do you have a plan?" she turned to Malakai. He had been the one to see through the ambush and somewhat prepared them.

Laila had already accepted he was the smartest of them, despite his young age.

"Not yet," Malakai said, glancing around.

"Where’s the captain?"

"He’s gone back to the fortress," Laila answered.

"Why?"

"He said it was the best move for now," she explained. "We’d be monitored, targeted, and killed if we return to the stronghold. But he’s a Bloom and is considered a waste. They will have to be careful dealing with him."

Malakai fell silent and pondered. "I’m guessing he said he’ll handle everything?"

Laila was taken aback, but nodded. "He said it’s easier to move alone."

"Did he leave a way for us to contact him?"

"Yes."

Malakai’s mind spun. He drew up multiple moves they could make and noted down what could go wrong with each.

"I want you to contact him now. I want him to do this..."

As Laila listened to his plan, her gaze couldn’t help but widen. It was ingenious, and at the same time, dangerous. She couldn’t help but marvel at how Malakai could think of such a thing in such little time.

Regardless, she could see that there was no other choice. It was the most likely to work. She nodded and moved away to contact Rhett.

Afterwards, Malakai left the branch and moved toward a quieter side of the forest.

The wilderness was more dangerous than anyone could imagine. That was the main reason they had chosen to remain close to the stronghold despite the threat on their lives.

Even with a Bloom escorting them, traveling barefoot back to Vitaemora was nothing but a death sentence.

They couldn’t send word back to the clan either, not without being in the stronghold’s proximity. Plus, even if they could, Malakai wouldn’t.

If Renlo was alive, reporting to the clan would only make them want to kill him to erase evidence. It would be a bad move.

Malakai felt Bloom’s stare on him. She was close, but he ignored it. Right now, he had chosen to forget everything else and focus on his newfound power. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he ventured into his body, accessing his changes. In the next moment, his gaze shot open in utter shock.

’I’ve formed all seven nodes.’

...

Renlo felt an intense pain roaring through his body. He felt like he had been crushed beneath a boulder. However, shockingly, Renlo was glad he could feel pain. It meant he was alive.

’W-Where am I?’ He opened his eyes, but the darkness did not recede.

’D-Don’t tell me... did they take out my eyes!?’ He instantly assumed the worst, panicking. But as he began to regain his bearing, he felt something solid was wrapped around his eyes.

’A blindfold,’ he thought with relief.

’Should I move?’ Renlo wondered. He had no idea where he was. What if moving would alert the enemies that he was awake?

’What would Malakai do?’ Renlo thought, and the next move came instantly. ’Listen. Smell. Sense.’

And that was what Renlo did. He listened, and the instant he did, he began hearing the whispers.

Hushed whispers in a language he didn’t understand, but despite their low tone, Renlo didn’t miss the fear in them.

Next, he focused on his sense of smell. He didn’t miss the damp, filthy stench that filled the space.

With those two, Renlo quickly came to an assumption.

’There are others here with me. Other prisoners.’ He realized. The fear, the smell, it all pointed to some sort of prison or cell.

’My arm isn’t bound.’

Mustering up the courage, Renlo shakily brought his arm over to his blindfold and slowly pulled it off.