Odyssey Of Survival-Chapter 75 Payback I

The sun filtered through the canopy of leaves as Nate and Alice trudged through the dense forest. The sound of birds chirping and the occasional rustling of animals in the underbrush filled the air, but neither of them spoke. Alice walked a few steps behind Nate, her eyes lingering on his back. She couldn’t tell if his silence was because he was focused or because he was angry, but either way, it unnerved her.

Her lips curled into a sly smile as she decided to test the waters. "You know," she began, her tone light and teasing, "you really surprised me earlier. I didn’t think you’d have the guts to walk into my room unannounced."

Nate didn’t respond. His expression remained cold and unreadable, his gaze fixed ahead. The lack of reaction irritated her slightly.

She quickened her pace, moving to walk beside him. "What’s the matter?" she asked, leaning in slightly. "Cat got your tongue?"

Still, Nate didn’t answer.

Alice narrowed her eyes, growing more irritated. "Hey, I’m talking to you—"

Suddenly, Nate stopped in his tracks, turning back toward her. His sharp movements made her freeze in place, and for a moment, she could feel the weight of his gaze, piercing and intense.

"What—" she started, but her voice trailed off as he closed the distance between them in long, deliberate strides.

Alice instinctively stepped back until her back pressed against the rough bark of a tree. Her heart raced as Nate’s expression remained stoic, almost menacing. He placed one hand on the tree beside her head, leaning in close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him.

"You think I’m easy to rattle?" he said, his voice low and steady, with just a hint of a challenge. "Because I was surprised for a second back there doesn’t mean I’m going to stutter every time you try to tease me."

Alice blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his demeanor. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words wouldn’t come.

Nate’s lips twitched into a faint, confident smile. He reached up and gently brushed a stray strand of her white hair away from her face, his fingers light against her skin. "Can we go now?" he asked, his tone polite but firm, as if the entire exchange had been nothing but a passing thought to him.

Without waiting for a response, he turned and started walking again, his strides purposeful and measured.

Alice stood there for a moment, stunned. Her heart pounded in her chest as she replayed the interaction in her mind. When she realized she was smiling, she quickly straightened her expression and hurried to catch up with him.

When she reached his side, she noticed the corners of his mouth lift slightly, though he didn’t say anything.

"I want to know about the basin in my room" Nate finally said as he continued walking, his expression had returned casual since she stopped teasing him.

Trying to shake off the strange tension in the air, Alice decided to focus on practical matters. "So," she began, "what do you want to know about it?"

Nate glanced at her, his face unreadable. "How did you manage to make it? And how is it that water comes out of it?"

Alice shrugged, her steps steady as they navigated around a fallen tree. "Ray made it. He’s been working with that Niyx stuff Zoro was mining. It’s everywhere in the caves, and it seems to have some kind of magical properties. Ray figured out how to use it to make things—basins, weapons, even tools. He’s been experimenting a lot."

Nate raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Magical weapons?"

"Yeah," Alice said, nodding. "He’s been trying to make something that could amplify our abilities. I haven’t seen anything finished yet, but from what I’ve heard, it’s promising."

Nate nodded thoughtfully. The group was far better off than he’d initially thought. They had food, shelter, and now even advanced tools and weapons. Almost everyone had awakened their powers, and with Ryder’s leadership and Jack’s intellect, they were becoming a formidable force.

For the first time in a long while, Nate felt a sense of relief. He could focus on his mission without constantly worrying about their survival.

---

Back at the Cave

Griffin stood deep within the cave, his expression serious as he addressed the three men before him. Their faces were pale, their eyes wide with disbelief at what he had just told them.

"You’re sure?" one of the men asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Griffin adjusted his glasses, the lenses catching the dim light from the torches on the wall. "Yes," he said firmly. "I found a note in my room. It wasn’t there before, which means someone left it for me deliberately."

"And the note said the master is here?" another man asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Griffin nodded. "Not just here. He was on the plane with us. He must have followed us to the museum before everything happened."

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The third man cursed under his breath, running a hand over his face. "If that’s true, then we’re all screwed. If he’s here, there’s no escaping him."

The men exchanged uneasy glances. They had been with Griffin at the museum, searching for the Seal of Arkhara. The master had always been a shadowy figure, someone they spoke of in hushed tones but never dared to confront directly.

Griffin’s voice cut through their thoughts. "We have a new mission," he said, his tone grave. "The master left specific instructions. We’re to find the remaining parts of the seal. He believes they’re here, somewhere on this island."

One of the men hesitated. "And what happens if we don’t?"

Griffin’s expression darkened. "You already know the answer to that." Enjoy exclusive content from novelbuddy

The three men fell silent, the weight of their situation pressing down on them. They had thought the island was their greatest challenge, but now it seemed the true danger was far closer than they had ever imagined.

---

Nate and Alice had been walking for what felt like hours. The sun was low in the sky now, casting the landscape in a soft orange hue as they continued their trek. The day had been long and grueling, but neither of them spoke much—both absorbed in their thoughts and the rhythm of their steps.

As they moved deeper into the forest, Nate’s ears picked up the faint sound of running water, a sound that cut through the otherwise still air like a soft melody. He turned toward the source, squinting as he tried to make out where it was coming from. Alice, ever the silent companion, kept pace behind him, her steps measured but steady.

"Do you hear that?" Nate asked, his voice low, breaking the silence.

Alice didn’t answer immediately, but her gaze shifted in the direction Nate was looking. "Yeah, I hear it. Sounds like a stream... or a waterfall."

Nate didn’t need any more encouragement. The idea of fresh water, something cool and refreshing after hours of walking, was enough to urge him forward. He walked with more purpose now, following the sound of the water, and Alice, without a word, followed him.

It didn’t take long before they reached a clearing. The trees opened up to reveal a small, crystal-clear pool at the base of a waterfall. The water cascaded from a height, crashing against the rocks below, sending mist into the air. The sun’s rays hit the falling water just right, turning it into a thousand tiny diamonds that danced in the fading light. The sound of the falls was soothing, a gentle roar that seemed to clear the mind of any lingering thoughts.

It was exactly what they needed.

Nate paused, taking in the sight. His tired muscles were aching from the journey, and the sight of the water made everything seem worth it. He turned to Alice, who was standing a little behind him, her eyes wide as she too took in the refreshing sight.

"This is perfect," she said, her voice a little softer than usual, almost as if she had forgotten to keep up her usual bravado. She stepped forward, but then glanced at Nate, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "This journey would’ve been a whole lot easier if Madison were with us, huh? She could have just teleported us, and we would have been there already."

Nate’s face tightened slightly, and his gaze dropped to the ground. He had his reasons for not bringing Madison along, reasons he wasn’t ready to share, at least not yet. He took a deep breath before looking back at Alice.

"I have my reasons," he said quietly, his tone firm but not unkind.

Alice didn’t press further. She gave him a small nod, the look in her eyes acknowledging that she understood. She knew better than to push him on something like this. There were too many things that Nate kept locked away, things Alice wasn’t sure she wanted to know, but she trusted him enough not to ask.

Nate’s eyes shifted back to the water, the pull of it too strong to ignore. "Go on," he said, his voice lighter now. "Get in the water. Wash up. You’ve earned it."

Alice raised an eyebrow. "And what about you?"

"I’ll give you some time," Nate replied with a shrug. "I’ll be around. Just... take your time."

Alice’s lips curled into a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "You sure you won’t be watching me?" she teased.

Nate shot her a glance, his expression unreadable. "I told you I’ll be giving you time, didn’t I?" He then turned and walked away, disappearing behind a cluster of trees, leaving Alice alone by the water.

Alice waited until she was certain he was out of sight, the sound of his footsteps growing fainter with each passing second. Her heart beat a little faster, not from any particular nervousness, but from the sudden stillness that surrounded her. Alone at last.

Without wasting another moment, Alice began to undress. She pulled off her clothes quickly, tossing them aside in a heap, and stepped closer to the water. The cool breeze against her bare skin sent a shiver through her body, but the thought of immersing herself in the fresh, cold water pushed any hesitation from her mind.

She dipped her toes into the water first, the chill seeping up her legs. It was refreshing, invigorating even, and without a second thought, she stepped in fully. The water enveloped her, cool and soothing against her skin. She submerged herself completely, letting the cold water wash over her, feeling it cleanse away the grime of the journey.

The sensation was pure bliss. Alice let herself float for a moment, her muscles relaxing under the soothing flow. The world seemed to fade away, and for the first time in what felt like ages, Alice allowed herself to truly unwind.

The sound of the waterfall, the cold embrace of the water, and the quiet solitude felt like a rare gift.

But her moment of peace didn’t last long.

She heard footsteps approaching from behind her. She froze instantly, her body tensing as she whipped around, her eyes wide in alarm.

There, standing on the edge of the water, was Nate.

He wasn’t even trying to be discreet. His hands were casually stuffed in his pockets as he stood there, a small smirk playing on his lips. He was eating something, probably a piece of fruit or some rationed food from their supplies, and his gaze was fixed on her with an expression of casual indifference.

Alice’s eyes widened in disbelief. "What the hell are you doing here?" she exclaimed, her voice rising with surprise. "Didn’t you say you were going to give me time?!"

Nate didn’t budge. He took another bite of whatever he was eating, chewing slowly, before finally speaking. "I lied," he said with a shrug, his grin widening.

Alice’s mouth fell open. "You—what?"