Chapter 13: The Plan

The ground rumbled once more, sending a ripple of fear through the air.

From the horizon, a massive shadow emerged, accompanied by the glow of molten embers.

The villagers trembled as the demon general approached, his dark silhouette towering over them.

The figure had ashen skin, glowing crimson eyes, and jagged black horns that curled back like flames. His armor was cracked and charred, with veins of magma glowing beneath.

Demon General: "People of Gorvax! Your time has come!"

His voice boomed like an eruption. The villagers cowered, clutching their loved ones.

Demon General: "You failed to deliver the tribute I demanded. Now, suffer the consequences!"

Safari, with a grin plastered on his face, stepped forward, his fists ignited with fiery energy.

Safari: "Finally! I was getting bored."

But as he prepared to charge, a sudden hand grabbed his arm.

???: "Don’t."

Safari turned, surprised to see a young man standing firmly in his path.

He had short, tousled yellow hair and sharp, determined eyes. Despite the clear fear trembling behind them, he held his ground.

Nate: "I won’t let you interfere."

Safari blinked. Normally, people would run away at the sight of his towering figure and rough demeanor. But this boy didn’t even flinch.

Safari: "Who the hell are you?"

??(boldly): "Name’s Nate. I’m 18, and this is my village."

Jen: "He’s… brave."

Zack gave a teasing smile.

Zack: "Or stupid."

Nate clenched his fists, glaring straight at Safari.

Nate: "Look, I know you’re some tough guy, but I’ve got a plan. And I won’t let you ruin it."

Safari scoffed.

Safari: "A plan? Against that thing?"

He pointed at the demon general, who continued glaring at the village, amused by the commotion.

Safari: "Listen, kid, I’ve fought monsters scarier than him for breakfast. Step aside."

Nate didn’t budge.

Nate: "You may be strong, but charging in recklessly will only make things worse. I’ve studied him. I know how he fights."

Safari growled.

Safari: "Tch. You think you’re smarter than me? Plans are useless if you don’t have the strength to back ‘em up."

Nate’s eyes flickered with defiance.

Nate: "And mindless strength means nothing without a purpose."

Jen’s eyes widened.

Jen (thinking): "He’s really brave to stand up to Safari like that."

Though, she did notice Nate’s posture stiffen when she spoke. He avoided her gaze, his cheeks turning faintly pink.

Zack noticed too, and his grin widened.

Zack: "Oh? You’re all tough until a cute girl talks to you, huh?"

Nate flustered.

Nate: "S-Shut up!"

Safari sighed impatiently.

Safari: "Enough games! I’m not gonna stand around while a demon threatens people."

Nate: "And I’m not letting you ruin everything!"

The tension grew thick as they stood face to face. Both refused to budge.

The demon general on the other side chuckled, looking at them, his burning eyes gleaming with malice.

Demon General: "How amusing. Mortals squabble while doom approaches."

He raised a clawed hand.

Demon General: "I’ll return by nightfall. If your tribute isn’t prepared… I’ll turn your village to ash."

With that, he vanished in a flash of embers, leaving behind the stench of sulfur.

Safari: "Coward. Should’ve fought me right now."

Nate sighed in relief but remained firm.

Nate: "You still need to stay out of this."

Safari growled, stepping toward him.

Safari: "And why should I? I’m the strongest fighter you’ll ever see."

Nate: "Strength alone doesn’t mean victory."

Jen placed a gentle hand on Safari’s arm.

Jen: "Maybe… we should hear him out."

Safari stared at her, frustrated but reluctantly silent.

Safari: "Fine. But if your plan fails, I’m stepping in. No more talking."

Nate nodded, though a drop of sweat slid down his face.

Nate: "Deal."

Zack crossed his arms, smirking.

Zack: "This is gonna be fun."

With the demon general's ominous promise lingering in the air, the village's fate now rested in Nate’s mysterious plan.

_ _ _

Night had fallen over the volcanic landscape of Planet Gorvax.

The once-glowing embers dimmed, casting a reddish hue across the sky.

Inside a small stone house, Nate sat with his back against the wall. The dim flicker of the lantern barely illuminated his tense expression.

Safari leaned against the doorframe, visibly annoyed.

Safari: "Alright, Nate. Time to spill it. What’s this ‘tribute’ that freak was talking about?"

Nate scowled, his fists clenched.

Nate: "The tribute… it’s people."

Zack’s eyes widened in shock, while Jen gasped softly.

Nate: "Every month, Magsui demands we sacrifice one of our own. He claims it’s to ‘appease the volcano spirits,’ but we all know it’s just to feed his twisted hunger."

Safari's anger flared.

Safari: "So that’s why your people are terrified."

Nate nodded.

Nate: "My father was taken two months ago. The month before that, it was my sister."

Jen's hands trembled, tears welling in her eyes.

Jen: "That's... horrible."

Nate: "I tried to fight. But I wasn’t strong enough. Magsui made sure I watched as they were… taken."

His voice cracked, but he quickly masked it with determination.

Nate: "That’s why I came up with a plan. There’s a dormant volcano near the village. Its tunnels lead directly beneath Magsui’s lair. I’ve rigged a series of traps and explosives with whatever materials I could find. When he comes tomorrow, I’ll lure him in and collapse the tunnels. That’ll send him straight into the lava."

Safari frowned.

Safari: "And what if he doesn’t follow you?"

Nate: "He will. Magsui’s arrogant. He loves tormenting his prey. I’ll make sure his pride seals his fate."

The room fell silent. Safari wasn’t fully convinced. The plan was clever, sure, but it relied heavily on chance.

Safari: "Fine. But I’m not gonna stand around if things go south."

Nate simply nodded.