At End's Gate

BRAVE

"Wow you are so brave," Conner commented.

Paige looked at him." Conner I'm not even close to being brave. I said that to keep them calm and hopeful. I'm so scared," she whispered to him so the others wouldn't hear." We've been through too much. I don't even know if I can bare it anymore."

Conner looked at her." Listen to me. You just gave an amazing idea. We can survive the explosions."

"But this guy definitely wants us dead. It seems as if for every step we take, he is always ahead of us. Even if we survive the explosives how do we know we'll make it out alive? All those people who ran toward the gate actually thought they would survive but they died. What makes us any different from them?"

Conner scratched his chin." We're not different but all I know is that those people fought for their survival. They risked everything to survive. That's true bravery. Being brave doesn't mean you won't go through pain. It means you'll befriend the pain until you find your peace. You keep on moving despite feeling overwhelmed with sadness."

Paige smiled." Thanks."

"You're welcome dove."

"Okay let's go help out."

"I'll be with Blake," he cleared his throat," I think I have an idea of secret road networks we can use."

"Cool. I'll be with J."

Paige went to help out her brother. They developed algorithms to pinpoint radiation levels. This was very hard. It took a while. They had to use their phones to determine radiation patterns of every northern household. They needed to be prepared for anything. They were happy that Dukilian's explosives triggered radiation rifts in the previous demolition sites so they used their phones to monitor prior explosion rift alterations. This wasn't hundred percent effective since their home foundations already had minerals of a radioactive nature so it was also likely that their observations were a shot in the dark. Paige just held on to hope. She noticed James looking a bit conflicted about their deductions." James," she pointed at his heart," trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." James nodded." We're gonna be fine."

"Yeah," he smiled.

"James I need you to promise me something."

"K. What?"

"I know you love us too much it makes you willing to do crazy things to protect us. Please don't do anything stupid."

"Okay Paige."

Paige was happy that he agreed to keep himself safe but she wasn't completely convinced. Unfortunately she had to just take his word for it. After some time they finally finished. Blake and Conner had developed an escape route. It had many channels that included even the ground tunnels." We developed several escape routes. The only problem is which one are we taking. One leads to the gate. The others have no exit points so it means we have to create the exit points but I don't think Dukilian will allow that to happen," Blake said addressing the others.

"Oh," Lisa sighed. She looked at Paige and then gave an optimistic look. Paige was pleased that she was now becoming stronger.

Conner scratched his cheek for a while." If we can't make an exit. We'll use the exit we have."

"How about the gate's defense system?" Alexis asked.

"We have plenty of time to solve that. It will take us a couple of weeks to move from the northern part of the city to the gate. We'll have to plan during that time. Using other exit points is not even an option. This guy planned this mass murder for quite some time. I think he's probably set traps at every part of the city wall except that near the gate." He gave a determined and satisfied grin." He wants me to play his game. Let's play."

James looked like he was lost in thought." He's probably established motion sensors and tapes everywhere to monitor if people are going to the gate. The normal intellect of any person would make them want to find the fastest way out of this hell but people are following his instructions. Hmmm."

"James what are you implying?" Lisa asked.

"I'm just curious that's all. Everyone is departing from various districts pursuing that gate. Hmmm." He started to think.

Paige looked at him. She started thinking as well." The painting!!" she shouted as if she found an important detail in her mind.

"Easy dove. You're singing too loud," Conner chuckled. The others laughed slightly. After all they were in the middle of a crisis so joy was a hard thing to come by.

Paige looked at James." J you remember the edges of the painting?"

"Yeah the dead bodies. It's hard to forget such an unpleasant image."

"Guys all this time we thought the bodies were the lives lost due to the evil ruler society."

"Yeah," Blake said.

"We all gave the conclusion that they died because of the kings' greed for power when all along their fear led to their demise."

Alexis looked confused. James looked at his sister." I'm sorry P. It's taking me time to follow."

Paige smiled." Take it from this perspective. What were the kings doing?"

"Gambling for territory," Lisa answered

"What did it lead to?"

"It led to many people losing their lives," Alexis answered.

"Yes Lexi. Now what was the biggest asset they used?"

"They just manipulated people to turn against each other. Their army men would attack their own people," Blake said.

"And what did that mean?"

"It meant that people were killing their own relatives, friends and neighbours to please the kings. They all didn't bother to think. They would act out of fear," Lisa answered again.

James scratched his head." Dukilian is using psychological fear to make people do what he wants. They are not thinking. They are just acting.

Paige smiled." Exactly. Meaning?"

"His game might even be an illusion. The other exit points might be accessible," James added.

"That's too big a risk," Conner commented.

"Why?" Blake asked.

"Because as far as we're concerned this Dukilian guy gave us the painting as a warning. The very same painting gave us clues about the explosions but he changed everything. He's probably planned to cave us in."

"Yeah," James agreed. He smiled." But it doesn't mean we can't confuse him."

"What do you mean?" Alexis asked.

"We can take many routes or take it as using a long way to reach the gate. This way he will attempt to use every trap he may want to use until he thinks he's done with us."

"And we can leave with a few scars but alive," Conner joined in with a smile.

"But why would we need to go back to the gate?" Alexis asked.

"That's the only safest way out. The other routes will definitely impose other measures to account for any possible escapes. Most likely the gate has a weaker defense system in comparison to the rest of the wall," Paige answered." The only question now is are we brave enough to do this?"

Feel free to tell me how you feel about this chapter.