Heathen Chronicles - Changed

Chapter 38 - Out of the Embers

Raphael's POV

The silence that followed my announcement was thick, but it wasn't the silence of fear anymore. It was the silence of a pack scenting the wind before a hunt.

'They thought it was over. I wanted it to be over.'

I looked at the fire, the orange flames reflecting in the eyes of my team. I had spent days dragging my broken body through the surf and hitching rides on cargo ships, fueled by nothing but the memory of the General's face as his soldiers carried him away. He wasn't just escaping; he was retreating to a place where he could hide in plain sight.

"Johannesburg," I whispered, the name of my city feeling like a curse on my tongue. "He knows the layout. He knows the underground systems. And he knows exactly where to find the people I care about most."

Dash tightened his grip on my hand, his eyes fierce. "He won't touch that school. Not while we're breathing."

"He's right," Bash boomed, his voice grounding us all. "If he's heading to the heart of the city, he's looking to disappear into the crowd or build a new throne in the ruins of the old one. We don't give him the chance to breathe."

***

Oblivion's POV

I watched Raphael as she spoke. She was different. The girl who had been terrified of her own wings in the labs was gone. In her place was something forged in the fire of the island's destruction.

I felt a low growl vibrate in my chest, and beside me, Abyss mirrored the sound. The hunger for retribution was a living thing between us. I walked over to her, ignoring the others, and placed a hand on the back of her neck. Her skin was cold, but her pulse was steady and strong.

"We go where you go," I said, my voice low.

Ripper stepped up on her other side, his blue eyes flashing with a predatory light. "The General thinks he's going home. He doesn't realize he's just leading us to his front door."

***

Cyber's POV

My fingers were already flying across my laptop keys. I didn't need to be told twice. If the General was heading to J-burg, he'd need digital footprints—bank accounts, safe house security, communication relays.

"I'm already into the city's grid," I muttered, the blue light of the screen washing over my face. "If he so much as sneezes near a CCTV camera, I'll have his coordinates."

I looked up at the twins. "Blade, Dagger—get the black jet prepped. We need a stealth approach. If we fly in with Heathen signatures, we'll have the military on us before we hit the suburbs."

"On it!" they shouted in unison, already racing toward the hangar.

***

Dwayne's POV

I watched them—the Heathens—moving with a terrifying, synchronized efficiency. It was a side of them I had only seen in flashes during the escape, but now it was in full bloom. They weren't just soldiers; they were a force of nature.

I looked at Taylor and Ntsakela. We had just been told we were safe. We had just been told we were going home. But "home" was where the monster was heading.

"We're coming too," I said, stepping forward. My voice was shaky, but I didn't back down.

Raphael turned to me, her expression softening for a fraction of a second. "Dwayne, you've done enough. You and the others should stay with the headmaster. It's too dangerous."

"No," Ntsakela added, standing beside me. "He's our General too, in a way. He took us. He hurt us. We aren't going to sit in a classroom while you fight our war."

Raphael looked at Bash, then at Ash. Ash gave a small, sad nod.

"Then gear up," Raphael commanded, her voice turning to steel. "We leave in twenty minutes. Johannesburg isn't going to know what hit it."

***

Bash's POV

I watched my family prepare. The pups were sensing the tension, pacing the sand with their hackles raised. We were heading into the lion's den—a city of millions where the enemy could be anyone.

I looked at the horizon, where the faint glow of the distant mainland teased the edge of the dark sky.

'You think you're safe in the concrete jungle, General? You've forgotten one thing.'

I strapped my long sword to my back and gripped Raphael's shoulder as she passed.

'We're the ones who own the shadows now.'