Ashes

Chapter 4: Escape to the Unknown

After days of evading Pond's men, Phuwin and Mix found themselves in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Unlike the remote villages they had passed through, Chiang Mai was a bustling hub, filled with tourists, vendors, and locals alike. The city, surrounded by mountains and lush jungles, was a mix of ancient temples and modern buildings, making it the perfect place to hide in plain sight.

The streets of the Old City were lined with colorful markets, offering everything from street food to handicrafts. Lanterns hung overhead, casting a warm glow over the narrow alleyways. But behind this vibrant facade lay a different world—a hidden network of rebels and dissidents working against Pond's oppressive regime. This underground network operated in the shadows, using the chaos of the city to mask their activities.

It was here that Phuwin and Mix sought refuge, hoping to find allies in their fight for survival. But as they soon discovered, the line between friend and foe was thin, and trust was a luxury they could scarcely afford.

The contact Mix had arranged through old connections led them to a nondescript building on the outskirts of the city. From the outside, it looked like an abandoned warehouse, its walls weathered and covered in graffiti. But once inside, the true nature of the place revealed itself. The warehouse had been transformed into a makeshift command center, with computers, communication equipment, and maps of the region spread across large tables. Men and women moved purposefully through the space, their expressions serious and determined.

At the center of it all was First, the charismatic leader of the rebel group. He was in his mid-twenties, with sharp features and a presence that commanded attention. His dark eyes were filled with intensity, and his lean frame was always in motion, as if he was a man who could never afford to stand still.

When Phuwin and Mix entered the room, First looked up from the map he was studying. His gaze lingered on Phuwin for a moment, taking in the young man who had already become a legend in the underground circles. Word of Phuwin's powers had spread quickly, even among those who didn't fully believe in them. To many, he was a symbol of hope—a weapon that could turn the tide against Pond.

"Phuwin, Mix," First greeted them with a nod. His voice was calm but carried a hint of authority. "I've heard a lot about you. Welcome to the resistance."

Mix stepped forward, her expression guarded. "We're grateful for your help, but let's be clear—our priority is staying out of Pond's hands. We're not here to join your fight."

First smiled, a knowing look in his eyes. "Of course. But understand this—Pond's reach is long. If you want to stay out of his grasp, you're going to need more than just a place to hide. You need allies."

Phuwin, standing quietly beside his mother, studied First. There was something about him that put Phuwin on edge. First was confident, charismatic, and clearly respected by those around him. But there was also an undercurrent of ambition in his demeanor, a hunger for power that mirrored Pond's in a way that unsettled Phuwin.

"What do you want from us?" Phuwin asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

First met his gaze directly. "You've got power, Phuwin. Power that Pond wants—power that could make a difference in this war. I'm offering you a place where you can fight back, where you can use that power for something greater than just survival."

Mix cut in, her voice firm. "He's not a weapon. He's my son. And we've seen what happens when people try to use him for their own gain."

First raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "I'm not forcing you into anything. The choice is yours. But know this—Pond won't stop until he has you, and the only way to truly be free of him is to take the fight to him."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Phuwin felt the weight of them, pressing down on him. Part of him wanted to believe that they could find safety here, that they could finally stop running. But another part of him—the part that had seen the darkness in Pond's eyes—knew that safety was an illusion. As long as Pond lived, he would be hunted.

Despite their reservations, Phuwin and Mix accepted First's offer of shelter. For the next few days, they remained within the rebel compound, hiding from the outside world as they tried to gather their strength. The compound itself was a maze of tunnels and hidden rooms, a relic of a time when Chiang Mai had been a fortress city. It was both a refuge and a prison, its walls thick with the secrets of those who had come before.

Phuwin spent his days training, honing his powers under the guidance of First's people. They were skilled fighters, rebels who had been waging a guerrilla war against Pond's forces for years. But even as they taught him how to control his abilities, Phuwin couldn't shake the feeling that he was being used.

First was always nearby, watching with keen interest as Phuwin unleashed his power in controlled bursts. The air crackled with energy when Phuwin summoned wind, and flames danced at his fingertips, burning brighter with each passing day. First praised his progress, but there was a calculation in his eyes that Phuwin couldn't ignore.

Mix, too, was wary. She had seen this before—men driven by ambition, willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to achieve their goals. She kept a close eye on First, never letting her guard down.

"Remember why we're here," she reminded Phuwin one evening as they sat together in a quiet corner of the compound. "Trust no one. We need to stay focused on getting out of here when the time is right."

Phuwin nodded, but doubt gnawed at him. He knew they couldn't run forever. Sooner or later, they would have to confront Pond. But could they really trust First and his rebels to help them? Or were they just trading one form of control for another?

It wasn't long before Phuwin's suspicions were confirmed. Late one night, unable to sleep, he wandered through the dimly lit corridors of the compound. The air was cool and still, and most of the rebels were asleep, their exhaustion evident in their slumbering forms.

As Phuwin rounded a corner, he overheard voices—First and one of his lieutenants, speaking in hushed tones.

"He's powerful, but he's not ready yet," First was saying. "We need to push him harder. If we can get him to unleash his full potential, we can turn the tide against Pond."

"And if he refuses?" the lieutenant asked.

First's voice hardened. "Then we'll find a way to make him see reason. We can't afford to let him slip through our fingers. He's too valuable."

Phuwin's heart pounded in his chest. So this was it. First didn't care about their safety or their freedom. He saw Phuwin as a weapon, just like Pond did. And if Phuwin didn't cooperate, First would use whatever means necessary to bend him to his will.

Stepping back into the shadows, Phuwin retreated silently, his mind racing. He had to tell his mother. They couldn't stay here any longer. They had to leave before it was too late.

The next morning, Phuwin and Mix made their decision. They couldn't trust First. The uneasy alliance had to end. As they prepared to leave the compound, they knew they would be on their own once more, but the risk of staying was too great.

Phuwin felt a mixture of anger and disappointment as they slipped away from the rebel stronghold. He had hoped, against his better judgment, that First might be different, that they might have found an ally in their fight. But now he saw the truth—power corrupted, no matter who wielded it. Whether it was Pond or First, they were all the same, driven by their own ambitions.

As they moved through the dense jungle surrounding the compound, Phuwin could feel the tension in the air. The escape was not without risk, and they had no idea where they would go next. But for now, they were free, and that was all that mattered.

"Where do we go from here?" Phuwin asked quietly, his voice barely audible over the sounds of the jungle.

Mix glanced at him, her eyes filled with both determination and concern. "We keep moving. We find a way to stay hidden until we can figure out our next step. And most importantly, we survive."

Phuwin nodded, the resolve in his mother's voice giving him strength. They had escaped the clutches of one enemy, but they knew that the greatest threat still loomed on the horizon. The road ahead was uncertain, but as long as they had each other, they would continue to fight—no matter what it took.