Ivory Chronicles

Act III - Resurgence Isle Part 8

Weaving Fractures

We had said our goodbyes to Gonzalo and his family midway down the dirt road. As they headed to their house, we made our way to Leo's home to break the bad news to Diego and his mother.

Fabian and Max were arguing different scenarios about how they could've saved everyone and stopped the USC if they could use their powers to their full potential.

"I could've easily jumped on them before they had time to react. I might've taken a bullet or two, but I know I could've won," Fabian said, his voice strained with frustration.

"Your way has too many risks. I would've done what Lucía did in Itayó—heat their guns so they'd drop them. Then they would've surrendered immediately," Max scoffed.

"But you can't!" I snapped at them. I had enough of hearing them talk about how differently things could've gone if they had done it their way. Not only did it go against the way I wanted to win this revolution, but their words made me feel like a weak leader.

Kyriah walked beside me, occasionally glancing in my direction, her eyes reflecting concern, but she stayed quiet. Fabian quickly recanted, "Hey, calm down. We know it's not your way. We're just saying—"

"I know what you're saying, but it's wrong. More than half of the island resents us already. The others might be with us, but who's to say they're not just afraid of us? Every time we use our powers, it shows them we're weak instead of strong," I replied, my frustration palpable. Fabian fell silent, his expression thoughtful.

"I don't agree," Max said definitively. "If they use force, we should react the same way."

I looked at Max with a serious expression, but he avoided my gaze. He knew he was taunting me, most likely seeing how far he could push before I stepped in to stop him. I hoped it would never come to that.

We reached Leo's house, and I took a deep breath, preparing the words in my head before entering. But Max cut me off, saying he had it handled, and walked inside without hesitation. We followed behind him.

As the door opened, Max had already approached Diego and Mayra, who were sitting on the torn-out sofa. "Mayra, Diego... There's something I need to tell you."

As Gonzalo did before, Mayra glanced around us. As soon as she realized Leo wasn't among us, her face broke down, turning red instantly. "Where is—?!" she tried to raise her voice, but it broke halfway through, and she started coughing violently. Diego tried to help her, but she pushed him away, continuing to cough.

"Mayra!" Max yelled, worry evident in his voice as he knelt in front of her. "Leo is fine. He's been taken by the USC officers, but I will get him back," he promised softly.

But the promise had the opposite effect. She became more upset, tears streaming down her face. "No, not my baby boy!" she wailed. "They'll torture him and never let him go!"

Max leaned closer, but Diego quickly lashed out. "I knew this was going to happen! You're nothing but trouble! Making false promises, and now Leo is gone! Get out!" He stood, pointing to the door.

Kyriah tried to say something, but Diego didn't let her speak. "LEAVE!" he shouted again.

"Max, let's go," I said softly, as we grabbed our bags and prepared to leave.

As Max stood and turned around, Mayra grabbed his arm. Her hand trembled as she held onto him with all her strength, which wasn't much in her fragile state. "Please... do whatever you need to do to bring him back," she pleaded, her eyes red and desperate. Max understood what she meant but didn't say anything back. He just nodded, turned, and walked out of the house with a determined expression.