Chapter 204: Trinity’s ruthlessness.

Achilles slipped out of Beast Valley while the night was still pitch black. He didn’t listen to a single person who tried to stop him. The impending disaster was creeping closer, and there was no way in the world he was going to sit around eating good food while his parents were going to Neemchester. He packed so many supplies onto the transport beasts that the poor creatures looked at him like he was their worst enemy.

He was stocking up as if the flood was going to last half a year and not a few days to a week, as expected.

"If you pack one more crate of sugar canes, kid, this beast is going to drop dead before we even reach the main road." His eagle grumbled.

Zyra stopped him. "It is overloaded; you can always take other supplies next time."

"Next time! "He sighed. "That seems like ages away. I could be gone for a year for all we know."

Hunter touched his hand. "Remember to package them anonymously, people cannot know where they come from yet. If anyone asks where you have been, you tell them you were out hunting. Tell Bullet I have a protege for him."

Achilles nodded. "Let’s burst out of here!" He covered his eyes with goggles and made sure her was all wrapped up carefully. The eagle flew off into the darkness, followed by two transport beasts.

Barely an hour after Achilles left, Nero arrived at the gates of Beast Valley with the families of Hunter’s men. The quiet shelter suddenly exploded into loud noise. People were laughing, crying, and dropping their bags on the ground to throw their arms around each other. It almost seemed like some were returning from war!

"Auntie Denea!" Bianca screamed at the top of her lungs, practically flying through the air to tackle a middle-aged woman into a big hug. "You actually came!"

"B-Bianca girly!" Denea wheezed, then looked at her. "Have you seen my baby?"

Bianca kissed her teeth and pointed at the main house. "She could be in there."

Malia was running around in the middle of all the noise, her face lit up with a huge smile. She gave out quick hugs, slapped shoulders, and helped pull crates and luggage, but as the minutes ticked by, her smile started to stiffen. She looked over heads, scanned the back of the line, and searched through every single group resting on the grass.

Her family wasn’t there.

She hadn’t heard a single word from them since she fled to Beast Valley, but every night she had folded her hands and prayed to whatever gods were listening that they were safe, hidden away somewhere quiet.

She spotted Nero standing near the gate, Zyra and Hunter were beside him, talking in low voices. Malia didn’t bother walking. She practically sprinted over. She didn’t greet them, didn’t ask how the journey was, and didn’t even pause to catch her breath.

"Where are they?" Malia blurted out, her eyes wide and frantic. "Mister Nero, where’s my family? Where’s my husband’s family? Didn’t they want to come?"

Zyra turned to look at her. The moment Malia caught Zyra’s eyes, a cold bucket of ice water felt like it had been dumped right over her head. Zyra’s gaze was full of heavy, crushing pity.

"What?" Malia’s voice cracked. Her lips instantly went bone-dry. Her mind started racing to the absolute worst places. "What happened? Are they_ are they in prison? Did Trinity lock them up?"

Zyra stepped forward and gently caught Malia by the arms. "Malia. Look at me. Be strong, okay? There is no gentle way to say this."

"Say what?" Malia squeaked.

"After you escaped," Zyra said softly, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears, "Trinity and her guards rounded up everyone. Your parents, your siblings_ and your husband’s whole family too. Trinity accused them all of being rebel sympathizers."

Zyra took a deep breath, her voice trembling. "They_ they executed them today afternoon. Their heads were put on pikes in streets in the capital city to intimidate the people. I don’t think there will be anymore protests for a while."

Malia froze.

Her hand slammed against her chest, clutching her clothes right over her heart. She held it so tight it felt like if she let go, her heart would literally burst out of her ribcage and shatter on the dirt. Then, a sound tore out of her throat_ a raw, ragged wail that made half the camp fall dead silent.

"No! No, no, no!" Malia screamed.

Zyra grabbed her before her legs gave out, wrapping her arms around Malia as both of them sank hard onto the muddy ground. Malia thrashed in Zyra’s grip, digging her fingernails into the dirt, sobbing so hard she could barely draw air into her lungs.

"I’ll kill her!" Malia shrieked, her face red and twisted with pure, unfiltered rage. "I’ll tear that bitch Trinity apart with my hands! I curse her! I curse her entire bloodline to hell!"

She cried and cursed until her voice gave out completely, leaving her dry heaving against Zyra’s shoulder, shivering like a leaf in a storm.

After a long time, Malia weakly lifted her head. Her eyes were red and hollow. "The kids_ " she whispered, her voice barely audible. "The little ones_ did they at least spare the children?"

Nero stood a few feet away. He looked down at the grass, let out a heavy sigh, and slowly shook his head. "They were sent to the front lines."

Malia stared at him for a second. Then, slowly, she nodded. A deadly, chilling quiet settled over her face.

"One day," Malia whispered, staring blankly ahead. "Trinity’s head will hang on a spike too. I’ll make sure of it."

Zyra just nodded silently, pulling Malia closer and sitting with her on the ground, refusing to leave her side.

Hunter subtly nudged Nero and motioned with his chin for him to walk away from the women. Nero followed him behind a thick stack of wooden supply crates.

"Listen," Hunter murmured, leaning in close. "Are you sure Aunt Denea’s escape won’t trace back to us? If anyone finds out we sneaked her out under her nose, this whole valley is done for once the search begins."

Nero snorted quietly, though there was no real humor in his face. "Boss, when have I ever made a mistake like that? Everyone in the capital is running around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to prepare for this flood. Besides, we found her wondering alone at the beach house, she was walking towards the lake unattended.

We were in time to save her. That was two days ago, and no one has reported her missing yet. I left one of her wet shoes near the shore. The caretakers must have run when they thought she drowned. I figured this was easier than crossing the border. I will make sure word spreads that she drowned just before the flood.

Bodies will be floating after. We can always find one to dress as her, as long as the face is unrecognizable."

"I will not say I am surprised to see that you have a full plan." Hunter muttered under his breath. He let out a long breath, reaching out to give Nero’s shoulder a firm, appreciative squeeze. "Good job."

One problem was taken of, but many were waiting. Maybe the 4-year-old tenant could be paired with his aunt and they could help each other.