Episode Two, Part 5:
Beautiful & Brutal

That old, familiar body ache; the snaps
from the same little breaks in your soul.

Once the Sovereigns had managed to assure the people of Basilisk that they were all safe and alive for another night - relighting the burning fires which had been extinguished and doubling the number of guards that were on watch - Kodiak finally found the opportunity to make his way over to Elara and Izzy, finding the young girl curled up against Elara whose fingers were delicately running through her hair.

"Hey," Kodiak breathed out, trying to make his voice sound as warm as possible as he sat down on the sand, facing them both. "You guys doing okay?"

Izzy nodded against Elara's chest, though, she was somewhat shy and a little nervous to say otherwise.

"I think she knows she safe now. Isn't that right?" Elara asked, shifting so she could look down at her.

Izzy nodded again, more than happy to let Elara do all of the talking.

"What about you?" Kodiak asked, letting on to how worried he was about her. "Quill said some of them were pretty rough with you."

Elara sighed. "They threw me to the ground and demanded I get up by myself. If Quill hadn't had been there to help me, I don't... I don't know how things would have turned out. And I didn't know what to do once they caught me; all I could think about was Izzy and how the hell was I going to be able to help her if those people had me trapped? But," she said, reaching one hand out to hold his. "I'm okay, now. Now that you're both here."

Kodiak smiled fondly at her, sharing her relief, not waiting long before he shifted his attention over to the young girl.

"Hey, Iz," he said, encouraging her to look over at him. "You know, I'm really proud of how brave you were out there."

"You are?" She searched, almost not believing what she had heard.

"Of course," Kodiak murmured. "But I also need you to know that you can't leave camp again, okay? And you're not ever going to be in the situation where you feel like saving everyone is something that comes down to you. I promise that as long as we're around, that's not ever going to have to be something you have to worry about. The two of us are going to take care of you."

"Why didn't you tell anyone what you were wanting to do?" Elara asked. "If you got lost out there or if something happened to you, it could have been hours before you were found. This isn't like before we went into the Bunker, Izzy. We don't know our way around here."

"I wanted to take one thing off your shoulders," she said. "That's what you've taught me about love and things you do for the people that you love: you'd rather make their fear your own so they don't have to be afraid, right? That's what it was like after my dad died, even though I know you were feeling the same way about Kodi. But you forgot about your own pain for a little while when you were with me because you wanted to make sure I didn't feel that way on my own. I love you, Ell, that's all. That's all I was trying to show you."

Elara squeezed her eyes shut tight in affection, cradling Izzy's head in her arms as she brought her closer against her. "I know," she assured her. "But believe me, it's no way near how much I love you."

Kodiak smiled as he watched on, still feeling a little sore as he imagined how terribly both of them must have been hurting when they were in the Bunker, but he knew that the bond they had both gotten out of it was something that was truly irreplaceable. Now, in what he knew was some kind of a miracle, he got to call both of them his family.

"Hey, why don't we take a look at what you found?" He suggested, suddenly remembering that they had been waiting until everything was settled with Basilisk before they even considered her findings.

"I don't think it's much," she admitted, yawning, but sitting up from Elara nevertheless as she reached for the bag beside her and pulled it forwards. She turned it upside down, emptying its contents in front of her for Elara and Kodiak to search through.

Kodiak immediately took the journals, scanning through them and completely lost in it's contents; neither Izzy or Elara seemed to notice how drawn he was to what was written inside as they pulled open the satchel, digging through the various pens, broken arrow heads, and shells that had presumably been picked up from the very beach they were sitting on.

"Anything interesting?" Elara asked, not really looking up at Kodiak as she twirled one of the shells in front of Izzy, enjoying the sheer fascination that took over her features as she took hold of it.

"...Yeah, actually," he said, pushing himself to stand but unwilling to take his eyes off of the journal for even a second.

"Kodi?"

"I'll be back in a bit. I'm just going to take this to the others," he informed her, already turning on his heel in search for the other Sovereigns, desperate to reveal it's contents to them.

/////////

"Kodiak, just tell us if something's wrong. You're starting to make me a little worried," Sol spoke up after waiting in silence for a while, glancing over at Dreea to see that she was just as unsettled as her.

"I'm waiting until Wynn gets here. This is important and I don't want him to miss any of it," he said, nervously drumming his fingers over the two journals that were tucked under one of his arms.

"He's taking too long. I'll go find him," Dreea announced, turning to leave the tent and almost bumping into Wynn who finally decided to show up. She huffed in frustration, knowing he got the message that he was late.

"What's this about?" Wynn said, moving to stand in between Sol and Dreea.

"These are the journals Izzy found," Kodiak informed them, handing one of them out to Sol who immediately opened it and started flicking through. "She said she found a greenhouse when she was walking and she took a couple of things. There's a small bag of old pens and shells that aren't relevant, but this... I think this is something that can help us."

"It's got information about nearby water sources, what type of plants are safe to eat," Sol explained to the others. "And a couple of maps by the looks of it... This, right here, looks like it's supposed to be Terra Firma Tribe," she pointed her finger at the marking made on the book, trying to figure out if there was anything else on the map that she recognised or could confirm her suspicions.

"If you turn to one of the last pages, it looks like the locations of the mines have been marked off. That means they were the ones who set them there, like we all assumed. I'll have to confirm with Izzy where the ones she triggered were, but I bet they correspond with what's on that map. It also has markings to show which ones have already been deactivated."

"This means we can leave the beach without having to worry about every place we step," Sol sighed, overcome with relief. "And if we follow this route, there should be good hunting grounds for food," she added on, flipping over the page to read more that the journal had to offer.

"What about that one?" Wynn interrupted, noticing that there was one Kodiak was still holding onto.

"This one's blank," Kodiak answered. "But it doesn't matter; the one Riv's got has more than enough information to keep us safe until we figure a way off of this island, and my bet is there could be more clues at the greenhouse."

"Okay," Sol said, looking over at Wynn and Dreea for confirmation. "We'll study the maps and get a team ready to look for resources but first, I think there's a very special, little girl who deserves a huge 'thank you' from the four of us."

Kodiak beamed over at her, nodding his head in gratitude and leading everyone out of the tent in search of Izzy who thankfully, wasn't hard to find this time around.

/////////

Sol stood at the edge of the forest line with Dreea, Fenn, Bas and Atlantis, making sure everyone was supplied with enough water and weapons to survive out in the forest in case anything went wrong. 

"Bas, Fenn - you and Dreea are going to take the north-west route up the hill; that should lead you to the hunting grounds marked out in the journal. I need you to check the ground for animal tracks and see if it's worth sending a team up later for a real hunt. Atlantis and I are going to head east. Everything from that side of the map seems to have been ripped out so the two of us are going to look for some answers."

"And me. I'm going with you."

Sol turned around to face who was speaking behind her, sighing somewhat defeated as she noticed it was Chessca, adjusting her grip on the bag slung over her shoulders.

"Chess, no," she said. "You're staying here. And if you're worried about those people coming again, don't be. Kodiak and Wynn are here if-"

"That's not it," Chessca shook her head. "I just want to go with you."

"No. No way," Dreea stopped forward, hoping to convince her that she was just as much opposed to the idea as Sol was. "It's not safe out. You know that-"

"Which is exactly why I want to go with you guys."

"Chess, Bas, Fenn and I are going near the camp of those people who raided us last night. Believe me, you're much safer here. You don't want to come with us."

"Exactly! Bas and Atlantis are both allowed to go with you. Why can't I?"

"Bas and Atlantis are needed because they are some of strongest at finding tracks and understanding the environment; Fenn's joining to seek out medicinal plants, and Dreea and I have the most experience without being out here. I'm sorry, Chess, but she's right. You're not coming."

Chessca let out a heavy breath, not disappointed in their refusal, but scared instead, wondering how neither of them realised what was bothering her. "I can't be without both of you," she said. "I can't."

"Chessie," Dreea sighed, reaching out and curling her fingers around her wrist. "No one's going to hurt you. Why don't you go sit with Kodiak or Wynn or-"

"That's not the point," she said. "You guys know me. You know why I feel this way-"

"I get it," Sol interrupted, her heart aching to have to watch Chessca try and explain herself. "You can come with me and Atlantis."

"Riverly..." Dreea warned, wishing they had both came to agreement before one of them had decided on it.

"I know exactly how she feels," Sol answered her. "And if I'm confident at being able to keep Atlantis safe out there, I know I can do the same for her. I will never let anything happen to them."

Dreea drew in a sharp breath, searching for a reason to argue against, but she couldn't; she knew Sol wouldn't let anyone hurt Chessca and that as long as she was around, Chessca would always be safe and sound.

"Okay," she gave in. "But you guys better be here before I get back; I don't want to be anxiously waiting around."

"Got it," Chessca smiled, leaning over and placing a kiss to the side of Dreea's cheek, watching as he reluctant frown slowly dissolved from her face. "And thank you, by the way."

/////////

"Still glad you came with us?" Atlantis teased, looking to Chessca as they finally made it to the top of the hill, taking a moment just to catch their breath.

"I'll admit, I'm starting to doubt it."

"What was that?" Sol joined in the conversation, having heard perfectly clear what they had said, but jokingly choosing to act oblivious to it.

"I said 'I'm so glad you let me tag along,'" Chessca smiled, nervously glancing over to Atlantis as if to ask for help.

"I thought so," Sol laughed, continuing to lead them all forward on the path she forged out for the three of them.

"Hey, Rivy-"

"What have I told you about calling me 'Rivy?'" Sol cut her sister off, knowing everyone understood how particular she was when it came to her name.

"Make sure the other Sovereigns don't hear?" Atlantis questioned, offering an innocent smile her way so Sol didn't get annoyed.

She looked over at Atlantis, biting her lip in a moment of debate before rolling her eyes and laughing it off. "Good," she said. "Anyway, what's up?"

"I was wondering if the point of us coming out here today is to find a way to survive long term on this island? I guess what I'm really asking is, does it mean that we're not going home?"

Sol was stumped by her question, suddenly hit by the miserable thoughts she had been trying to keep away ever since the left Neptunum.

"I don't know," she admitted. "No one wants to go back more than me... Except Kodiak, I bet, but I think the most important thing is being able to survive somewhere, and we have to take that wherever we can get."

"Is this really the place?" Atlantis continued. "I mean, that clan seemed awfully unwelcoming to us being here."

"We've endured worse than Terra Firma Tribe," Sol reminded them. "We'll endured this too, if we have to. And make it out alive."

"Sometimes I feel like being home is more important than being alive. Does that make sense?" Chessca spoke up, trying to decipher her own words. "Living a long life doesn't seem like much of a reward if it's only spent surviving."

"I know what you mean," Atlantis said. "When I was in my bunker, it didn't mean a thing that I was safe if the consequence was that I wasn't really getting to experience life; to know that father and sister that were living on the ground that my mum always told me stories about. It was kind of the same when we moved into Wynn's Bunker, but at least I had a proper family around me, if only you, Bas, Dreea and Aeryn were there, Chess. I know what really matters is the people we have around us, but it's still hard to feel at home when you've lost everything around you that you once knew like the back of your hand."

"For now, the priority has to be finding a way to sustain ourselves here," Sol informed them, coming to a momentary stop so she could look them in the eye and be sure that her words were doing something to comfort them both. "I'll make sure nothing happens to you two, so don't even worry. And, once everything's okay; when we're all safe, when the water levels from the flood have gone down, I'll get us all home."

"You always do," Chessca smiled, reaching one hand out to grab onto Sol's, and her other to take hold of Atlantis'. "In the meantime, why don't we hurry up and get this exploration over with because, as you heard Dreea say, we better be back before her."

"Good idea," Sol laughed, continuing their walk forward. "And she really did mean that Atlantis, just in case you're having any doubts."

"Oh no, I believe you," she said. "I've been around long enough to know not to find myself on the wrong side of Dreea. No one's taught me that more than watching Wynn over the past couple of years."

"I know exactly what you mean," Sol said. "Getting my memories back and returning to Basilisk to find she hadn't torn his head off was definitely a pleasant surprise."

"How's he doing, by the way?" Atlantis asked. "I know he had a rough time on Neptunum, and that's putting it lightly."

"He's okay," Sol smiled over at her sister, a radiant beam of genuinity glimmering in her eyes. "In fact, I really didn't think it was possible, but it seems to have made him stronger."

"Dreea said the same thing about Kodiak," Chessca chimed in. "She said all the bravery she knew was there when we last saw him, has grown. 'He's twice the soul he was before, if not more,'" she recalled the Sovereigns words, smiling in affection as she admired their bond.

"Somehow, on top of every terrible thing that happens to them, they always find a way to stand above it, Elara included."

"Yeah, they're pretty incredible," Atlantis said, not realising that Sol had already zoned out of the conversation and was instead, focusing intensely on the cluster of trees to her left, trying to make sense of the noise she had just heard.

"If Neptunum was bad enough for us, I can only imagine what it was like for them," Chessca carried on. "And poor Bas and Kodiak; they were there for months before they managed to reach us-"

"Riv, is something wrong?" Atlantis interrupted, realising that her sister was alarmingly quiet and not paying attention to anything they were talking about.

"Shh," Sol hushed her, trying to keep everything in her control so she didn't freak either of them out.

Atlantis glanced over at Chessca, instinctively moving closer towards her as they began to piece together what might have been happening, wishing they hadn't noticed Sol pull out her blade in preparation to defend them. Thinking that they had to brace themselves for the worst case scenario, they also reached for their own weapons that they had brought along with them, not truly having expected to use them.

"How many of them?" Atlantis asked, gulping away her fear.

"Two - that I can see for certain," Sol mumbled, not even pulling her gaze for a moment to look at her. "One of them is moving around to your side. Watch my back," Sol ordered, doing everything she could to conceal that gut-wrenching feeling inside of her so that no one else was caught in her fear.

Truth was, she could see both of the attackers right in front of her - their movement poking through the small gaps in the forest shrub - and no one was moving to the other side of the clearing they had found themselves in, but she didn't want Chessca or Atlantis to have to see the people that were trying to kill them as she knew it would terrify them both.

"I can't see anyone," Atlantis called out, her voice shaking.

"That's okay. Keep watch. You're at a safe distance away from the trees from where you're standing so no one can take you by surprise."

Just as Sol managed to get her instructions out, someone jumped down from the large, dead bush in front of her, assuming that her attention had been momentarily diverted as she was speaking, but Sol was ready for the attacker. She ducked out of the way, quickly spinning around to latch her hands on the boy as his back was turned, and she immediately managed to disarm him.

Before the second attacker could try anything, Sol raised her blade up and held it against the boy's throat, only realising then just how young he was. He was similar in age to Izzy and Harlow - perhaps a little older, but nevertheless, Sol knew she couldn't hurt him.

At the sound of the commotion, Chessca and Atlantis turned around, struggling to comprehend how Sol had moved so fast and taken complete control of the situation.

"Stay where you are. This one has a friend right ahead," Sol warned them, suddenly diverting her words to the unknown figure. "Step down where I can see you. Don't try anything stupid, or he'll face the consequences," she bluffed, securing the boy a little tighter in her restraint.

After a moment passed, another person stepped down from the shelter of the trees, glaring bitterly at Sol as she moved with his hands up in surrender. She was also young - far too young to be wandering the forest without an experienced fighter when Terra Firma Tribe knew that the people of Basilisk were around.

"You were trying to kill us. Was that an order given to you?" Sol looked to the girl for an answer but it quickly became apparent that neither one of the children were interested in talking to her.

"Are there more of you out here?" Sol continued nevertheless, hoping that their body language would give away their answers. "...Or are you alone? Is there anyone that's going to come to your rescue?"

"Naia, run!" The boy in Sol's arms finally spoke, only using his voice to send a warning to his friend; a desperate plea for her to save herself whilst she still could.

"Shut up, Joe!" The girl yelled back, something fierce and frightening in her tone; even Sol felt a little taken aback by her emotion. Perhaps, what really worked against her was the apparent name of the boy she had hostage; it triggered an uncomfortable memory she had long buried away and consumed her in an empathy for both of the children, unable to stop herself from imagining all the ways they were alike to Jonas. She couldn't hurt them.

"Okay, I'll let you guys go," Sol informed them, knowing it worried Atlantis and Chessca to hear. She had no doubt that they were trying to understand her reasoning. "But I need you to tell Calvin-"

"Calvin?" Naia - the young girl - asked hesitantly.

"Is he not the leader of Terra Firma Tribe?" Sol questioned, unsure how they seemed confused when it was so obvious that Calvin was in charge of everyone during the raid at the beach.

"Terra Firma are the enemy!" Naia yelled, whipping out a small knife that had been tucked in the back of her torn-up jeans and holding it out threateningly towards the Sovereign.

"You're not... You're not a part of Terra Firma?" Sol stumbled. "Then... Who are you?"

She watched as Naia shook her head at Joe who was still held in Sol's grip, instructing him not to confess but Joe didn't listen.

"West of The City Exile Allegiance."

Sol's breath hitched in her throat, feeling her restraint on the young boy slowly start to loosen. "The City?"

"The City of Targo..." Chessca declared from behind her knowing without a doubt that she was right. She just wished she wasn't.

Two // Part Five
West of The City (of Targo) Exile Allegiance.

Ooohh.... Another clan!? What does this mean for Basilisk? What is the relationship going to be like between Terra Firms Tribe and Exile Allegiance?

So much coming up and I'm excited to write it and introduce you to more knew characters!

Also, how are Chessca, Sol and Elara going to take this news? The new clan is from The City of Targo!!!! So much drama and plot twists! Also, this book is the longest so far (form what's been written in both word count and reading time)!! This chapter was almost 4000 words! Lots coming up!

15/02/21.