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Riley bit her lip, contemplating the weight of my words.
The tree branches rustled softly in the wind, the only sound apart from our breathing.
“No one has ever achieved it,” I admitted, my tone softening, “in all the cycles and iterations of this twisted game. All the previous contestants either got Claimed or met an unfortunate end.”
She looked away, her fingers playing with the cuffs that bound us together.
After a prolonged silence, her face hardened with resolve.“Then we’ll be the first.”
I was taken aback by her fierce determination.
In the short time I had known Riley, she had displayed a resilient spirit that I had come to admire.
“As you wish,” I replied, inclining my head. “But I must caution you, Riley. This path will be filled with adversity, and the alien males aren’t our only concern. If we decide to go down this route, you must be prepared for the consequences. And if, by any unfortunate chance, one of them succeeds in Claiming you,” I paused, choosing my words carefully, “then the blame will be on your shoulders.”
She met my gaze, the fire in her eyes undiminished. “I understand the risks, Talan. But I’m not willing to sit around and wait for my fate to be decided by others. I want to take control of my destiny.”
I admired her spirit. “Very well. We shall proceed with this plan.”
In my heart of hearts, I knew I could never allow all the blame to pass to her alone.
It was my duty to protect her at all costs, to give my life for hers if necessary.
Drawing a deep breath, I mentally prepared myself for the task ahead.
This would be a journey unlike any other, one that would test our limits, our trust in each other, and our will to survive.
As the weight of our decision settled in, we sat side by side, the enormity of the task ahead looming over us.
But amidst the uncertainty, there was a spark of hope, a belief that against all odds, we might just find a way out.
With a heavy heart, Riley nodded, signaling her unwavering commitment to our newfound mission.
She understood the magnitude of her decision, the dangers it posed, and the slim chances of success.
But in that moment, she was willing to risk it all for a shot at freedom.
Riley
We had made our way down from the towering tree with its glistening leaves, its branches like protective arms around us.
My legs felt a little shaky from the descent.
The suns — yes, there weretwoof them (but as this was a fake world, perhaps I should sayfakesuns) — cast elongated shadows on the ground.
In their golden hue, Talan kneeled, his fingers sifting through the earth.
After a few moments of searching, he unearthed a stone that looked different from the others: darker, sharper, with a jagged edge that glistened when caught in the sunlight.
Talan’s fingers danced with the flint, expertly chipping away at the stone with another rock.
Each stroke was deliberate, revealing the methodical nature of his craftsmanship.
I could see the concentration etched on his face, his golden eyes focused intently on the task before him.
“Talan, what are you doing?” I asked, my voice a curious whisper, not wanting to break his concentration.
Without looking up, he answered, “Making a blade. These alien beasts are big and I need all the advantage I can get.”
