stakes - gambling with gods.

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Present, an hour after capturing the gang member.

At our rented house in the village, lower floor:-

As we entered the house, Kane swiftly took charge, instructing the rest of the team to guard the premises and remain vigilant. It was clear that he intended to conduct an intense interrogation with the captured gang member. Without hesitation, he guided the prisoner up to the second floor and into his personal room, the setting for the impending questioning.

The room fell into an eerie silence as the door closed behind them. Time seemed to stretch as we awaited the outcome of the interrogation. The first half-hour was marked by anguished cries and desperate pleas, causing a chill to run down my spine. I couldn't help but worry that the commotion might attract unwanted attention from the villagers. However, Nikola reassured me, explaining that Kane had placed a powerful spell around the house. This enchantment created an illusionary soundscape, transforming the harrowing screams into the harmless cacophony of barking dogs.

The knowledge of this spell offered some solace, yet the tension in the air remained palpable. We held our positions, our senses heightened, ready to react to any unforeseen circumstances that might arise. The responsibility to protect the house and ensure the success of the interrogation weighed heavily upon us.

As time passed, the intensity of the yelling gradually subsided. The second half of the interrogation was marked by a steady stream of firm, probing questions from Kane, interspersed with intermittent outbursts from the prisoner.

Finally, the door swung open, and Kane emerged, his countenance inscrutable. The gang member, weakened and subdued, was led out, shackled and defeated, dead. We could only imagine the depths of the information extracted during that intense hour of interrogation.

Our duty was far from over. With the captive secured, we prepared for the next phase of our mission, fully aware that the secrets we had obtained were just pieces of a larger puzzle.

"What did you discover?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty, aware that the success of the interrogation was still unknown to us.

Kane, having cleaned his hands and taken a seat at the table, tossed a napkin aside before responding. "We've obtained all the crucial information," he said, pausing to heighten the suspense. "The good news is that Hancock is still here on the island, lurking in the shadows."

Hope flickered within us at the confirmation of his presence. However, before we could fully embrace the positive news, I cautiously probed further. "But?" I inquired, sensing that there was more to the story.

Kane's gaze met mine, his expression filled with a mix of weariness and determination. "But he has bolstered his ranks with an influx of new recruits," he revealed, delivering the unwelcome revelation. "Even with me, us five alone would be insufficient to overpower him. We'll need additional assistance, our whole platoon."

My mind raced, seeking a viable solution. "Can't we reach out to other teams for support?" I suggested, hoping that collaboration could tip the scales in our favour.

Kane's response was laden with a heavy sigh. "No, we can't risk it," he explained. "Somehow, the higher-ranking members of the rebel faction have devised a means of communication across vast distances, that is also reason why they have survived this long. In this case they've employed a spell similar to the one I placed on you, but with a twist. If any of their members meet their demise, the spell will activate, alerting them to the loss. We cannot afford to compromise their position. Because once they discover a recurring trend of newcomers vanishing in the village after a few months, they will apprehend the remaining teams before we can even reach them."

A sense of frustration gnawed at us, realizing the limitations imposed upon us by this clandestine network. Our only recourse now was to regroup, bide our time, and eagerly await Roger's return at the end of the year.

"How many are we up against?" I inquired, determined to face the daunting reality head-on.

"The scale is formidable, to say the least," Kane replied, his voice tinged with a hint of concern. "There's no point dwelling on it now. We must leave the village immediately and search for any teams operating outside its confines. If fortune favours us, we'll be able to share our findings and pick them up with us. From there, we'll return to our designated drop-off point, establish a temporary base, and wait."

Nikola and the others who had refrained from asking further questions followed Kane's lead, swiftly gathering their belongings. It was evident that they were seasoned in navigating such challenging circumstances. I, too, joined the flurry of activity, collecting my modest possessions which mainly consisted of a few changes of clothes and another cube artifact-this time, a bow, complementing my sword cube.

When we first arrived in the village, blending in and being seen was part of our strategy. The bright daylight provided a veil of normalcy, allowing us to seamlessly integrate ourselves into the community. However, our current predicament demanded a different approach-one of stealth and secrecy. We needed to slip away unnoticed, leaving no trace of our intended path.

As we stepped out of the house, the cover of darkness cloaked our movements. The moon's feeble light offered minimal guidance, and we relied on our honed instincts and knowledge of the village's layout to navigate the winding streets. Every footfall was carefully placed, minimizing any noise that could betray our presence.

As we cautiously made our way through the deserted streets of the village, a faint glimmer of sunlight began to peek over the horizon. The soft hues of orange and pink painted the sky, casting a delicate glow upon the world around us. It was a reminder that a new day was dawning, bringing with it the promise of fresh opportunities and unforeseen challenges.

Silently, we approached the village's outskirts, where the guards stationed themselves to protect against intruders. We knew we had to pass through this final barrier to truly leave the village behind. With our senses heightened, we spotted the silhouette of one guard patrolling the perimeter.

Parker, our agile team member, took the lead, utilizing his remarkable speed to swiftly close the distance between him and the unsuspecting guard. In a blur of motion, he struck with precision, incapacitating the guard before he even had a chance to react. The guard's body crumpled to the ground; his presence silenced.

We continued our stealthy retreat, careful to avoid any further encounters. The darkness provided us with a cloak of invisibility as we slipped through the shadows, leaving no trace of our passage behind. The village gradually faded into the distance, its familiar structures blending with the backdrop of the awakening landscape.

As we ventured farther away from the village, the first rays of sunlight bathed the world in a warm embrace. The golden hues danced upon the treetops, breathing life into the surrounding nature. It was a breathtaking sight, a reminder that even in the midst of our mission's intensity, beauty still existed in the world.

As the village disappeared from sight, we cast one final glance over our shoulders, bidding farewell to the place that had been a temporary refuge.

As we continued our journey, the landscape transformed around us. The familiarity of the village receded into the distance, replaced by the untamed beauty of the island's wilderness. Nature enveloped us in its embrace, with towering trees, winding paths, and the symphony of wildlife echoing through the air.

The next leg of our journey proved relatively straightforward, retracing our steps along the familiar route we had taken to reach the village. However, there was a notable shift in our dynamics. Instead of Kane leading the way, it was now our responsibility to deal with any potential threats we encountered along the path.

This adjustment served multiple purposes. Firstly, it allowed each team member to gain valuable combat experience and sharpen their skills. Engaging in these encounters provided an opportunity for us to refine our techniques, test our abilities, and learn from the challenges we faced. Each battle served as a training exercise.

Secondly, by distributing the task of dispatching the beasts among the team, we expedited the process. While it might have taken Kane mere moments to eliminate these creatures, it would have consumed a significant amount of time for each of us to achieve the same outcome.

While our primary objective was to reach the shore and find assistance, this impromptu training session served as a valuable side benefit.

However, for the most part, I found myself watching from the sidelines as my teammates took charge. Their skills and abilities far surpassed mine, and I felt inadequate in comparison. While I occasionally launched an arrow or two to contribute, it paled in comparison to the substantial efforts put forth by the others.

Occasionally, we encountered beasts that were within my limited capabilities to handle. These normal-ranked creatures provided an opportunity for me to engage in combat on my own. Initially, these battles proved to be daunting and challenging. I struggled to find my footing, lacking the experience and strength. But with each encounter, I grew more accustomed to the rhythm and demands of these engagements.

Through trial and perseverance, I gradually honed my skills in these one-on-one battles. I learned to read the movements and patterns of the beasts, adapting my tactics accordingly.

Upon reaching the shore, a mixture of exhaustion and relief enveloped us. We had managed to traverse the treacherous path without drawing any unwanted attention. However, it seemed that luck was not on our side, as we hadn't encountered any of the teams we had hoped to come across during our journey.

Once we reached the shore, Kane resumed his role as the leader, swiftly taking charge of our next task. He directed us to construct a small tent near the shoreline, which would serve as our temporary abode during this extended waiting period. Sid and Sonic, most physical member of our group, were tasked with the responsibility of building the shelter.

As the sun began its descent, casting vibrant hues across the horizon, Sid and Sonic set to work constructing the tent. With skilled hands and coordinated efforts, they dedicated the entire day to the construction process. The tent they crafted was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate our entire team.