Refuge in the Darkness

**Shaira's POV**

The air in the shelter grew heavier, as if the very darkness surrounding us was trying to crush us. Zania’s news kept echoing in my mind, and the worry in Angro's eyes confirmed what we both knew: we couldn’t stay there another minute.

“We have to leave now,” Angro said, his voice firm but low, as if afraid someone might hear. He quickly began to gather his belongings, shooting me a look that urged me to do the same.

I nodded, trying to hide the trembling in my hands as I stuffed our few possessions into a bag. “Zania will take care of letting Assu know,” I reminded him, almost to convince myself that we were making the right decision. “She can divert attention if anyone starts asking questions.”

“I know,” Angro replied, tightening the strap on his bag. “But we can’t trust that this will calm down soon. We need to get far enough away so no one can track us.”

We left the shelter without looking back, venturing into the dense jungle. The foliage closed in around us, thick with humidity and the sounds of nocturnal life. We moved quickly, avoiding the main paths. The route we had chosen was less traveled, a narrow trail barely visible amidst the dense vegetation. Every crunch of leaves under our feet seemed like an echo that betrayed our presence.

“We won’t stop until we reach somewhere safe,” Angro murmured, his eyes scanning the surroundings, always on alert.

Fatigue was beginning to weigh on us, but the need to escape was stronger. We knew we couldn’t lower our guard, not while the threat of Omawit and the eteri was breathing down our necks. The jungle closed in around us, and with each step, we ventured deeper into the darkness of the unknown, relying solely on our determination to get out alive.

The jungle grew thicker as we advanced, with branches and vines seeming to want to ensnare us. The air was heavy with moisture, and the sounds of insects and nocturnal creatures filled our ears. We pushed further into the depths, knowing that every step took us farther from Sagoria, but also closer to the unknown.

Suddenly, the distant hum of engines broke the stillness. I froze, my heart racing as I looked up at the leaf-covered sky. The sound grew louder, and soon we saw the lights of several eteri ships flying over the area. Angro shot me a worried glance, and we quickly ducked behind a fallen log.

“That’s not normal,” I whispered, keeping my voice low and steady. “The eteri don’t mobilize that many ships just to look for a body.”

Angro nodded, his eyes fixed on the lights moving above us. “It’s not just the ships; there are ground patrols too. It’s like they’re combing the area.” He looked at me intently. “Could they be planning something else?”

The memories started to come back in fragments. The military training, the patrol strategies, everything I had learned as a sub-lieutenant. “It’s a big deployment for a simple search,” I murmured, more to myself than to him. “If they’re combing the area like this, they must be looking for something… or someone.”

As I spoke, a group of soldiers appeared between the trees a few meters from where we were hiding. They were armed and advancing cautiously, their flashlights sweeping the ground in search of clues. My breath quickened as I saw them slowly approaching our hiding place. Fear pounded in my chest, but we couldn’t afford to be discovered.

“Let’s go,” Angro whispered, gently pulling my arm to move us to the side, where the vegetation was thicker. We slipped away quietly, trusting the darkness to cover our escape. However, the movement of the troops blocked our original path. We had no choice but to veer east, dangerously close to Zuwua.

We walked for several minutes, keeping silent, until the sound of the ships began to fade into the distance. The fatigue and tension made my muscles feel heavy, but the need to keep going was stronger than exhaustion.

“We have to keep moving,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “We can’t risk getting caught now.”

Angro looked at me, his expression a mix of determination and concern. “We’re getting too close to Zuwua,” he murmured. “But it seems to be the only option we have left.”

We moved quickly, leaving the distant hum of the eteri ships behind, but the danger still loomed. The darkness grew thicker as the sun sank completely. The ground was slippery, and the humidity soaked our clothes. I was focused on not tripping when, suddenly, we heard voices coming from the other side of some dense bushes.

Angro and I froze, exchanging worried looks. The voices weren’t eteri, but I recognized the familiar accent of the opranchi. We crept closer cautiously, crouching behind some tall bushes to get a better look. In the distance, we saw a group of opranchi warriors near a river. They had set up a small camp, with several torches illuminating the shore.

One of the men turned in our direction, and his face lit up as he recognized us. “Angro!” he called, raising a hand in greeting. “Come, friend, join us!”

The friendly greeting took me by surprise, but it also filled me with dread. These men knew Angro, and while their intentions didn’t seem hostile, any mistake could be fatal. Angro shot me a quick look, a mixture of alarm and resignation in his eyes, and he approached the camp with a determined stride.

“Greetings, brothers!” Angro said, forcing a smile. “We’re on our way to a safe place for the night.”

One of the warriors, a tall, sturdy man, shook his head. “It’s not wise to keep moving at this hour. The forest is treacherous in the dark.” He gestured toward the camp. “We’re waiting for a special shipment that will arrive by the river tonight. Stay with us. It will be safer.”

I tried to hide my unease, but the worry only grew stronger. If we stayed, we’d be surrounded by warriors who could turn into enemies at any moment. If we left, we’d raise suspicions.

Angro nodded slowly. “You’re right, brother,” he replied, keeping his tone relaxed. “We’ll stay the night here. We’ll continue our journey at dawn.”

The men welcomed the decision with enthusiasm, and some offered us food and a spot near the fire to rest. As we settled in, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being in a trap. Every friendly conversation and gesture of hospitality was a test to keep our composure and not reveal who I really was. The atmosphere in the camp was a mix of camaraderie and tension, and every time one of the warriors looked at me, my body tensed a little more.

Angro leaned close and whispered in my ear, still smiling at the others. “Stay alert. As soon as it’s safe, we’ll leave.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of the situation in every fiber of my being. I knew that spending the night in this camp wouldn’t be easy, but we would have to play our cards right if we wanted to get out of here without raising suspicion.