Chương 110: Chapter 109 - Alpha (LXXI)

"Tomorrow, at this time. Are you up for it?" Arjun's breath hitched, his face contorting as he wrestled with the challenge. For a moment, it seemed as though he was going to accept, his lips parting as his fists tightened. Wang's gaze was unyielding, his challenge hanging between them like a sword suspended by a thread. Arjun hesitated, and in that moment, the crowd leaned in, the atmosphere tense with anticipation. But just as the silence threatened to snap, a deep, grave voice cut through the air.

"Arjun…" All eyes locked on its source—the largest man in the Oasis, rising slowly from his position. As he stood to his full height, he towered over everyone else, his eyes gradually opening as if waking from deep thought. His dark skin glistened in the fading sunlight, muscles rippling under the simple cloth wrapped around his broad chest. Imani, the Wise Giant.

"Respect Siddharth. Fair duel. Alonso won. Victor… lives." His speech seemed fragmented, as if he took time to carefully convey the idea in a foreign language. Arjun hesitated, slightly taken aback, while Wang narrowed his eyes but held his tongue. Ayu and Chiara shared different expressions, but both bore visible respect as they looked at Imani.

"Chiara," the next word made her heart skip a beat, as Imani made his way towards the center.

"Farewell spirit of Siddharth… when?" Chiara quickly regained her composure and took a step forward, a wave of relief passing through her heart. You are the best, Imani!

"Tomorrow, one hour before the rocky path appears, we will gather here," she declared, her words carrying across the crowd.

"We will honor Siddharth's memory, his spirit, and all that he stood for. We will not let his death tear us apart. We will stand as one, just as he would have wanted." Tension rippled through the crowd like a taut wire ready to snap. Faces twisted with grief and fury, eyes fixed on Alonso, cold and piercing. A few clenched their fists, knuckles going white, muscles tensed as if holding back the urge to act. Others let out deep, resigned sighs.

At the center of it all, the cause of their anger lay motionless, almost peaceful. Alonso's face, serene in his enforced slumber, only seemed to deepen the hostility in those who couldn't accept him still breathing while Siddharth lay dead. For some, this sight struck even harder.

"What will become of him then?" Arjun asked, his voice calm but laced with a barely contained storm.

"What will become of Alonso?" Wang narrowed his eyes, a retort clearly forming on his lips, but Chiara's hand shot out, stopping him. Her gaze met his, a silent warning—this was her moment to control. She drew in a deep breath, her eyes shifting from Arjun to the crowd, slowly scanning each face.

"I will personally deal with Alonso." A murmur rippled through the crowd, the unease palpable. Feet shuffled, and eyes darted between Chiara, Imani, and the sleeping form of Alonso. Some of them began to move, some dragging their feet, as if reluctant to leave. Conversations were hushed, low whispers of discontent shared between those departing in small groups. Only a few remained, their eyes still burning with resentment.

One woman stood still, staring hard at Alonso as if willing him to wake and face her judgment. Her hands twitched at her sides before someone pulled her away, muttering something meant to soothe. Arjun remained, one of the last to move. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles had turned pale, veins standing out against his skin. His eyes flicked from Alonso to Chiara, an unyielding storm held just beneath the surface. His breath was controlled, too measured, as if suppressing a roar he wanted to unleash.

When his gaze finally landed on Wang, his expression hardened. Disgust flashed in his eyes, and his lip curled in a barely suppressed sneer. Arjun broke eye contact, tearing his gaze away with a look of cold resolve. Shoulders rigid, he turned and walked off, every step sharp, his form a taut silhouette against the fading light. The crowd continued to disperse, the echo of their whispers lingering long after they had gone. Still there, however, stood one of the youngest among them.

His face was pale but composed, his expression marked by a maturity that seemed far beyond his years. His deep, dark eyes flickered with a mixture of disbelief and quiet sorrow. He hadn't moved since the announcement, his gaze fixed on the sword lying in the dirt— Siddharth's blade. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Chiara, noticing him, felt a pull in her chest. She approached him cautiously, her voice gentle but firm.

"Ishaam," she called softly, breaking the silence between them.

"You should take your sword back. He would have wanted you to." But Ishaam's face didn't soften. He stared at the sword for a long moment, as if weighing something deep within himself. His expression was unreadable. After what felt like an eternity, he finally shook his head, his voice hollow, barely above a whisper.

"That sword is not mine," he murmured, the words falling heavily between them. His gaze shifted to the ground.

"It should be buried with him." Without another word, Ishaam turned and walked away. Chiara bit her lip, but quickly shook her head. What's done cannot be undone. Time only moves forward. Her gaze shifted to Imani, who still remained, his immense frame as still as the earth itself. His face, calm and unreadable, was turned toward the horizon. Chiara took a deep breath, then walked toward him.

"Thank you, Imani," she said softly, her voice laced with the gratitude she could muster. Imani didn't immediately respond. His eyes remained locked on the horizon, as though he were contemplating something deeper, something beyond the moment. Finally, his deep voice rumbled.

"Not satisfied," he said, his words slow but deliberate.

"Siddharth… gone. Great loss." Chiara felt her throat tighten, but she stayed silent, knowing Imani had more to say.

"Duel… never should've happened," he continued.

"But... it did. Now, we cannot lose more. Cannot stain honor… of sacred duel." His words sank deep. The consequences of this duel... she felt them pressing on her chest like a weight she could barely carry. But no, she couldn't afford to dwell on it any longer. Imani shifted slightly, his eyes finally meeting Chiara's. His gaze was calm, but there was an undeniable weight behind it.

"Wish… to speak with Alonso. When he wakes. If allowed." Chiara hesitated for a brief moment, but then nodded.

"Of course, Imani. When he wakes, you'll have your time with him." Imani offered a small nod in response. Chiara returned the nod and then turned, making her way back. Her thoughts swirled with the weight of the day's events, but she couldn't afford to lose focus now. There was too much at stake. As she walked, she caught sight of her three lieutenants—was that what they were? Well, they had never put an official label on it, now that she thought about it.

But, for all intents and purposes, they were the closest thing she had to a trusted core. In the middle of the arena, Wang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, chest forward, his eyes calm. A small smile tugged at his lips as she approached, as if offering silent reassurance. Ayu, on the other hand, was staring at Alonso, her gaze soft, her expression a mixture of worry and hesitation. And then there was Lukas, surprisingly still present, lingering by the edge of the arena.

He had a way of vanishing when things got too real, retreating into the shadows or his tent, like the weight of responsibility was something he'd rather observe from afar. Maybe the events of today had kept him around longer than usual. Or maybe it was just a coincidence he appeared in the first place. Either way, Chiara was a little relieved to see them all still here. They may have been an odd group, but for better or worse, they were all she had. And with Siddharth gone, she needed them now more than ever.

Taking a breath, she approached them.

"Lukas, what a coincidence to see you here," she said with a small grin, locking her gaze on his. He smiled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well… I needed some fresh air, I guess… if that's all, I'll be going my wa—" he started to turn around, but Chiara couldn't help but release a soft laugh. Even in this tense situation, Lukas was still the same.

"Thank you, Lukas," she said, then shifted her gaze to Wang and Ayu.

"Thank you all for being here, for stepping up when it mattered. I really appreciate it."

"It was the least we could do," Wang replied, his voice unexpectedly soft, almost humble compared to his earlier confidence. Ayu simply nodded, then after a moment of clear uncertainty, she finally mustered the courage to ask, "What will happen to Alonso now?" A shadow returned to Chiara's face as she glanced at the young man lying motionless on the ground. His injuries were healing rapidly, and his breathing was steady, almost too serene. His bare chest, still streaked with dried blood, rose and fell peacefully.

His hair, messy and damp with sweat, clung to his forehead, and a faint, unkempt beard had started to appear on his face. Such a character you've turned out to be, haven't you? she thought with a mixture of curiosity and frustration. But in the end… you're just a victim like the rest of us.

"Imani wants to speak with him when he wakes up," she said softly.

"I don't foresee any issues after what happened, but..." Chiara hesitated, her expression darkening, "integrating Alonso into the Oasis's society… could prove impossible." Ayu frowned slightly, nodding slowly as confusion clouded her features once again.

"But what does that mean exactly? What does it mean not to be a member of the Oasis?" Chiara sighed softly, her gaze lingering on Alonso.

"That's a good question. Honestly, I'll have to figure that out." Her voice grew quieter, almost thoughtful.

"In any case, there are important things I need to discuss with him. Things he perhaps should've known before… or maybe it's better that he didn't," she added, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him, lost in thought.

"I'll stay here with Imani, to make sure nothing happens until he wakes. You can go off and—""I'll stay too," Ayu interrupted quickly, surprising Chiara for a moment. She blinked, but then just nodded.

"Alright, then."

"I'll take my leave," Wang said with a small smile, glancing between the two women.

"If you need anything, just send me a wave, and I'll be there." He turned and walked away calmly. As for Lukas… well, Lukas was nowhere to be seen.