Odyssey Of Survival-Chapter 71 Reunion

The air inside the cave was still charged with the remnants of power, a faint hum of energy that refused to fade. Slowly, the survivors began to stir. The storm outside had subsided, but its lingering effects could still be felt. Ryder was the first to step out, his enhanced senses attuned to any lingering threats. He paused just outside the entrance, his eyes scanning the area.

The others followed, one by one, hesitantly stepping into the open. The scene outside was unlike anything they had ever witnessed. The beach which could now be seen was a shattered ruin—sand scorched black, pools of steaming water rising into the air, and the ground cracked and uneven.

Madison and Bella appeared moments later, teleporting in from the distance. Their faces were pale, their expressions solemn. Ryder turned toward them immediately, his concern evident.

"What happened out there?" he demanded, his voice edged with urgency. "Was it… the lightning man?"

Madison shook her head, her gaze flickering toward the distant horizon before settling back on Ryder. "No," she said softly. "It wasn't him. It was Nate."

Ryder's eyes widened. "Nate? Are you serious? The lightning… all of that destruction… was him?"

Bella nodded, stepping forward. "It was him," she confirmed. "I don't know how, but he… he's different now."

The group murmured in disbelief, their whispers filling the tense silence. Jack, the smallest among them, shuffled his way through the crowd. His thin frame allowed him to slip between the others with ease until he stood at the front. His youthful face was etched with confusion as he stared at the two girls.

"Since when does Nate have the lightning ability?" he asked, his voice small but curious.

Before either Madison or Bella could respond, the air shifted. A faint crackling sound filled the silence, growing louder with each passing second. Lightning sparked in the air, and suddenly, Nate appeared before them.

His presence was electric, both literally and figuratively. Lightning flickered in his eyes, casting a cold, almost unapproachable glow. His expression was stoic, his posture commanding. The aura he radiated was so intense that everyone instinctively took a step back.

Then, just as quickly as the tension had risen, Nate's expression softened. A warm, gentle smile spread across his face, and the lightning dissipated, leaving him looking calm and approachable.

Ryder, still tense, narrowed his eyes. "Nate… is that you?"

Nate's smile widened slightly, and he spread his arms as if to welcome them. "It feels good to be back," he said, his voice steady but warm.

Ryder exhaled sharply, relief washing over him. Without another word, he strode forward in large, confident steps. When he reached Nate, he pulled him into a tight hug, lifting him slightly off the ground in the process.

"You had me worried there for a second," Ryder muttered before releasing him.

Before Nate could respond, Jack stepped forward with his usual energy. He stopped a short distance away and raised his hand for a handshake. "Welcome back, man," Jack said with a grin.

Nate chuckled, reaching out to ruffle Jack's hair. "You might be smart," he teased, "but you're still just a kid." With a playful push, he nudged Jack back gently, drawing a few laughs from the group.

One by one, the others approached Nate, greeting him with smiles and relieved expressions. Despite their lingering questions, they were genuinely happy to have him back. Nate exchanged brief words with many of them, his warm demeanor putting them at ease.

Among the crowd, his eyes landed on two familiar faces: Amara and Claire. Amara offered him a nod and a faint smile, while Claire remained quiet, her expression unreadable.

Nate acknowledged Amara with a small wave before his gaze settled on Claire. She held his eyes for a moment before turning away. To Nate, what had happened between them was nothing more than a transaction—just as she had said. He wasn't naïve enough to believe that a few moments of intimacy meant anything more.

As the group began to disperse, each person returned to their respective tasks. Though many were curious about what had transpired, they sensed that now wasn't the time for questions. The air still felt charged, and there was an unspoken understanding that answers would come later. Discover hidden tales at novelbuddy

Left standing were three figures: Alice, Bella, and Madison. Nate's gaze shifted toward them.

Nate stepped forward, his movements deliberate yet calm, as if every step carried the weight of his return. Madison, unable to hold herself back, rushed toward him when he got close enough. She grabbed him firmly, pulling him into a tight hug, her arms wrapped around him like she was afraid he might disappear in the next moment.

The intensity of her embrace caught Nate off guard. He froze for a brief moment before hesitantly raising his arms, awkwardly patting her back. Her reaction stirred something in him—a quiet wonder at what their relationship truly was.

"Don't you dare vanish on me again," Madison muttered, her voice trembling.

Before Nate could respond, Alice walked forward, her usual confident smirk softening into a welcoming smile. "Welcome back, Nate," she said, her voice carrying genuine warmth. Then, without hesitation, she grabbed Madison by the arm.

"Okay, that's enough hugging for one day," Alice said with a grin, tugging Madison away.

Madison resisted, her grip tightening around Nate as if she could fight Alice off. "Let go, Alice! I'm not done—"

Alice rolled her eyes and used her superior strength to pry Madison away. "Oh, you're done," she said firmly, dragging the protesting Madison toward the cave.

Nate watched the two of them disappear inside, Madison's complaints fading into the distance. His lips twitched into a small, amused smile before his gaze shifted to the last person standing before him.

Bella had been silent the entire time, watching the reunion unfold with a thoughtful expression. When Nate's eyes met hers, she felt a strange jolt of connection she couldn't quite explain.

Follow current novℯls on ƒгeewёbnovel.com.

"Thank you," Nate said, his tone quiet yet sincere.

Bella blinked, caught off guard. "For what?" she asked, her brows furrowing slightly.

"For letting everyone know I was alive," he replied simply, his eyes unwavering.

Bella's lips parted in surprise. How had he known? She studied his face, searching for an answer, but there was no indication of how he had pieced it together.

"You're welcome," Bella said finally, her voice soft.

A moment of silence passed between them, charged with unspoken questions neither seemed ready to voice. Bella broke the quiet first. "Come inside. Everyone's waiting for you."

Nate nodded. "We'll talk later," he said. "There's a lot we need to figure out, but now's not the time."

Bella nodded back, her expression unreadable as she turned toward the cave. Together, they walked back inside, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls.