The Safe Zone - Ascension (Book 5)

Chapter 10: Betrayal from Within

The camp was buzzing with nervous energy. Tension rippled through the air like an invisible current, setting everyone on edge as we prepared for the inevitable clash with the Ascendants. In the distance, the sky was tinged with the bruised colors of dusk, and the dying light cast long shadows across the clearing where our camp was set. Every glance, every murmur from the others, carried the weight of what was coming. It was the calm before the storm, and I could feel it in my bones.

I stood near the edge of the camp, staring out toward the distant hills, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Ethan's warnings echoed in my head, the fragments of his consciousness speaking to me from the network. Phase Four is coming. Those words had replayed repeatedly since I had heard them in that dark, digital abyss. It was all happening too fast, and the closer we got to the Ascendants' stronghold, the more I felt the clock ticking down.

The wind picked up, carrying the faint scent of rain and smoke from the campfires. I glanced back at the cluster of makeshift tents and shelters, where the resistance fighters moved about, some cleaning weapons, others huddled in whispered conversation. I could see the exhaustion in their faces, the worry etched deep into their features. We were running on fumes, and everyone knew it. We had lost so much already. Too much.

But what they didn't know—what I hadn't told anyone yet—was the nagging doubt that gnawed at me. I kept my composure and leadership role intact, but inside, I felt the growing suspicion that something was wrong. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched, that every move we made was being tracked.

"Lena."

Carter's voice pulled me from my thoughts. He approached from behind, his expression as grim as ever. His broad shoulders were tense, and his brow was furrowed with the weight of too many battles. He had been my rock, my second-in-command through this ordeal, and I trusted him more than anyone. But even he was starting to show signs of strain.

"They're ready," he said, his voice low. "We've got the teams organized and the supplies packed. But..." He hesitated, glancing around before lowering his voice further. "There's something you need to know."

I frowned, my gut tightening at his tone. "What is it?"

Carter shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable. "It's Elias."

Hearing Elias's name sent a prickle of unease down my spine. Elias had been one of our strongest fighters, a man who had been with us since the early days of the resistance. But recently, something had changed in him. He had grown distant, more secretive. He had started questioning every decision I made, challenging my leadership in front of the others. At first, I had chalked it up to stress—everyone was on edge these days—but now... now I wasn't so sure.

"What about him?" I asked, my voice steady despite the knot forming in my stomach.

Carter glanced over his shoulder, ensuring no one else was within earshot. "He's been talking to some of the others. Stirring up doubts. Maybe we should reconsider our stance on the Directive's technology."

I felt a cold chill spread through me. "What do you mean?"

Carter's jaw tightened. "He thinks the Ascendants might be onto something. That maybe we're fighting the wrong fight. He's been saying that humanity needs order, not more chaos. The Ascendants' way might be the only way to rebuild what's left of the world."

I stared at Carter, my heart sinking. "He's siding with them."

Carter gave a slow nod. "I don't think he's made his move yet, but it's only a matter of time. He's gathering support, Lena. He's convinced some of the younger fighters that using the Directive's tech could be our best chance to survive."

A surge of anger flared in my chest, but I tamped it down. I couldn't afford to let emotions rule me now. I needed to think clearly. Elias's betrayal was like a knife to the back, but I had to face the reality of it. We couldn't afford to be divided. Not now. Not with the Ascendants preparing to launch Phase Four.

"Who else knows?" I asked, my voice low and hard.

"Just me and a few others. I didn't want to spread it around until we figured out what to do." Carter's eyes searched mine. "We need to act fast, Lena. If he convinces more people to join him, the resistance could tear apart before we even get to the Ascendants' stronghold."

I nodded, my mind racing. "We'll deal with it. But we need to be careful. We risk igniting a full-blown mutiny if we move against Elias too soon."

Carter crossed his arms, his face grim. "And if we wait too long, he could hand us over to the Ascendants on a silver platter."

He wasn't wrong. The thought of Elias betraying us—betraying everything we had fought for—made my blood boil. But more than that, it terrified me. Elias knew our plans and our strategies. He knew where we were vulnerable. If he turned against us, the Ascendants would have everything they needed to wipe us out.

"We need proof," I said after a moment. "Something solid. He'll deny everything if we confront him without it and turn the others against us. But if we can catch him in the act..."

Carter nodded slowly. "I'll keep an eye on him. See if I can find out who he's been talking to and where his loyalties lie."

"Good. And if he makes a move—if he does anything that puts us at risk—you let me know immediately."

Carter's gaze was steady as he nodded again. "You've got it."

As Carter walked away, the weight of what was happening settled over me like a dark cloud. I knew Elias had been growing restless, but I hadn't realized how far he had gone. I couldn't let it consume me, though. I couldn't let it distract me from what needed to be done.

We had come too far, lost too many to be torn apart from within.

I stood there for a moment longer, the wind tugging at my hair, my mind churning. The Ascendants were the real enemy. They were the ones we had to stop. But if Elias was truly working with them if he was ready to betray us... we'd have to face that enemy much sooner than anticipated.

Damn it, Elias. I thought of the times we had fought and the victories and defeats we had shared. How had it come to this? How had we gone from brothers and sisters in arms to this shadow of distrust?

The sound of footsteps behind me snapped me back to the present. Marian approached, her face drawn, her expression grim. I could tell by the look in her eyes that something was wrong.

"What is it?" I asked, my pulse quickening.

"I've been tracking the signals like you asked," she said, her voice tight. "And I found something. Something bad."

She handed me a small device, its screen glowing faintly in the dying light. I took it, my heart sinking as I scanned the data displayed. Clear as day, there was a transmission from within our camp.

Transmission to the Ascendants.

The breath left my lungs as I stared at the screen. My worst fears had been confirmed. Elias wasn't just talking about siding with the Ascendants—he was already working with them.

"He's been feeding them our location," Marian said, her voice barely a whisper. "Our plans, our movements... he's given them everything."

I clenched my fists, the screen trembling as rage surged through me. Elias had betrayed us. He had betrayed *me*. And now, because of him, the Ascendants knew exactly where we were and what we were planning.

My mind raced. We had to act fast. We had to move before the Ascendants launched their attack. But first, we had to deal with Elias.

"Gather the others," I said, my voice cold and sharp. "We're confronting him. Now."

Marian nodded, her eyes wide with shock, and hurried off to gather the team. I stared at the screen again, my heart pounding in my chest. There was no time for hesitation, no time for doubt. Elias had made his choice.

Now, it was time for me to make mine.