Chapter 28 – Fourth Day of Rest
The camp's dining hall was strangely quiet, lit only by the soft moonlight slipping through poorly closed windows.
But the peace wouldn't last long.
Because in one corner of the largest table, an epic battle was unfolding.
Seated before a map drawn in pencil on crumpled sheets, Chef and Cody were locked in a game of Dungeons & Dragons — military edition.
A version only Cody could have invented.
Cody adjusted his glasses with energy and cleared his throat before grabbing the improvised manual he'd written in a completely worn-out notebook.
"All right, soldier. The mission is clear. You must infiltrate the enemy base, steal the secret codes, and get out undetected," said Cody, in the tone of a seasoned commander.
Chef exhaled with a touch of impatience, crossing his arms.
"Pff, that's easy. I'll kick the door down and demand the codes," said Chef, with a confident grin.
Cody wasn't about to allow such a simple move.
He leaned forward with a serious expression, then switched his voice to that of an overly dramatic general.
"Oh no, soldier. You think you can walk in and claim victory without strategy? Not under my command," said Cody, slamming the table to emphasize his authority.
And so began the flood of impersonations.
Because if Cody was going to run the game, he'd do it with maximum spectacle.
First, he took on the role of a classic 80s general, with a raspy, aggressive tone.
"Listen up, soldier! There's no escape, no second chances. If you go in without a plan, you'll end up in a swamp surrounded by enemies who feel no fear, no hunger, no mercy," said Cody, tilting his head as if speaking from behind a cloud of cigar smoke.
Chef raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
"Uh-huh. And how am I supposed to get out of the swamp?" asked Chef, incredulous.
Cody exhaled dramatically, switching to a stern British colonel voice.
"Ah, but of course! This is where strategy comes in. You'll need camouflage, a fake code, and a briefcase of tools that, naturally, has a limited use time before self-destructing," said Cody, standing rigid and composed.
Chef rolled his eyes, but his expression showed he was enjoying the show.
"Roll the dice to see if your team crosses the enemy river!" Cody exclaimed, slapping the table like they were in a real military base.
Chef calmly picked up the dice, rolled them, and waited.
A five.
Cody paused, then smiled mischievously.
"Oh no, soldier. Your team just stepped into a minefield. There's only one way out without casualties…" said Cody, letting the tension build.
He stood up, slammed the table, and changed his voice again — now imitating a battle-weary veteran.
"We need air support! Call reinforcements! Someone get me a cigar and a helicopter!" Cody shouted, arms wide in desperation.
Chef burst into full laughter.
"Kid, you really get into your stories, huh?" said Chef, still laughing.
Cody sat down abruptly, looking satisfied.
"It's the art of war… and good entertainment, Chef," said Cody, with a sly smile.
The game continued, with more exaggerations, more character voices, and more controlled chaos.
Because when Cody was in charge, nothing was boring.
The mission wasn't over, and Cody wasn't about to let the energy drop.
If he was going to narrate the next step of the military operation, he'd do it with style.
Cody settled into his seat, exhaled dramatically, and switched to a deep, exaggerated commander voice.
"Soldier, it's time to move into enemy territory. Prepare for infiltration…" said Cody.
Chef crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow.
"And how am I supposed to do that?" asked Chef.
Cody leaned forward, exhaled again, and changed his voice to a Southern-accented navy instructor.
"Listen up, boy! First, you move like a shadow in the night. Second, if they spot you, there's only one tactic: shout orders with confidence so they think you're in charge!" said Cody.
Chef laughed out loud.
"That makes no sense!" exclaimed Chef, chuckling.
"Of course it makes sense, soldier!" said Cody, adjusting his posture and now imitating a British colonel. "You think victory comes from logic? No, it's won with pure spectacle and the attitude of an action hero."
Chef kept laughing, unable to stop.
"Kid, you should be an actor. You really dive into your stories," said Chef, shaking his head with amusement.
Cody sat proudly, raising an eyebrow.
"Actor? No, no, Chef. I'm a master of tactical entertainment. And speaking of tactics, want to roll again to see if you make it through the underground tunnel without triggering alarms?" said Cody.
Between laughter and gameplay, the conversation took a new turn.
Chef looked at Cody with curiosity before leaning on the table.
"Hey, speaking of tactics… what were you trying yesterday with the girls?" asked Chef.
Cody looked up with a relaxed expression.
"What do you mean?" asked Cody, casually.
Chef shook his head in disbelief.
"You used your reward to give them a spa night. Not that I care much, but that's not something just anyone would do," said Chef, watching him closely.
Cody shrugged, still calm.
"I did it because they're my teammates," said Cody, honestly.
Chef furrowed his brow slightly, as if trying to figure him out.
"Uh-huh… but were you expecting something to change?" asked Chef, analytically.
Cody exhaled with a light smile.
"Nothing," said Cody.
Chef stared at him for a second before snorting and shaking his head.
"Kid, you're not like the others," said Chef, with a hint of amusement. "Everyone here's looking for an edge, trying to play the game. You just want to have fun?"
Cody nodded slowly.
"Yeah. Is that a problem?" said Cody.
Chef watched him for a moment before letting out a soft laugh.
"No, but I'll admit it's rare," said Chef, crossing his arms again.
Cody remained calm, then looked back at the board.
"Now, speaking of the game, roll again. I'm afraid your team just entered hostile territory," said Cody.
The game continued, with more impersonations, more laughter, and a conversation that left Chef with something to think about.
The camp's dining hall was lit only by the dim glow of old bulbs, casting shadows over the table where Cody and Chef were fully immersed.
The operation map was spread across the surface, filled with notes and strategic routes.
The dice were ready. Soldier Chef had a mission.
And Cody, as Dungeon Master, was about to guide the fate of the game.
Cody adjusted his glasses with excitement, cleared his throat, and began narrating in a deep tone worthy of a veteran commander.
"Listen closely, soldier. You're in enemy territory. The jungle stretches ahead, the humidity makes every move harder, and guards patrol the area with rifles at the ready," said Cody.
Chef leaned on the table, studying the map with interest.
"Uh-huh. How many enemies are nearby?" asked Chef.
Cody raised an eyebrow before rolling the dice with force.
The dice tumbled across the table and stopped.
A six.
"Six armed soldiers patrolling the zone," said Cody, leaning over the table. "They haven't seen you yet, but one wrong move and it's over."
Chef, extremely confident, picked up his piece and made his decision.
"Okay. I slide through the brush, move silently, and look for a blind spot to ambush them," said Chef, with certainty.
Cody paused before raising his hands, describing the scene with precision.
"You move stealthily, your breathing is controlled, every step calculated… but then, an enemy turns unexpectedly!" Cody exclaimed.
Chef frowned, quickly rolling the dice to react.
A nine.
"Your reflexes are sharp! You grab him before he alerts the others," said Cody, with excitement.
Chef grinned wide, slamming the table with his fist.
"Ha! I knew I could do it," said Chef.
But just as the mission progressed, Chef's laughter drew someone else's attention.
Chris walked into the dining hall with a relaxed stride, frowning at the noise.
"What the hell is going on here?" asked Chris, incredulous.
What he saw left him stunned.
Chef — normally serious — was fully immersed in a military-style Dungeons & Dragons game, following Cody's instructions with enthusiasm.
"You, soldier Chef, successfully infiltrated, recovered the codes, and even managed to rescue soldier Chris…" said Cody, lowering his voice to add suspense.
Chris raised an eyebrow, visibly confused.
"What?" asked Chris.
Cody, sounding mock-serious, delivered the final revelation with dramatic flair.
"There was only one casualty in the mission. Soldier Chris… lost his hair in the confrontation."
Chef burst into full laughter, slapping the table with joy.
"Ha! Now that's a real sacrifice!" exclaimed Chef, laughing uncontrollably.
Chris pursed his lips, clearly offended—but unable to hide a faint trace of amusement.
"Very funny, Cody," said Chris, shaking his head.
Cody leaned forward with a light smile.
"It's the cost of war, sir."
What began as a military-style Dungeons & Dragons session turned into a conversation full of jokes and an unexpected plan.
Instead of leaving, Chris stayed in the dining hall, watching with interest as Cody continued running the game.
Then Cody decided it was time to shift the tone and start teasing Chris.
He leaned against the table with a sly grin, looked Chris up and down, and fired his first joke.
"Look, Chris, baldness isn't so bad. Just look at Chef—now that's a man with style."
Chef looked up proudly, running a hand over his shaved head.
"True. Baldness is a symbol of respect," said Chef, with confidence.
Chris snorted with amusement, shaking his head.
"Yeah, very funny, Cody."
But Cody wasn't done.
"No, no. Think about it. Bald guys are tough. Look at Toretto, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis… pure action icons," said Cody, in a conspiratorial tone.
Chris raised an eyebrow and looked at him with interest.
"So you're saying I should embrace baldness as a new look?" asked Chris.
"I'm not saying you should… but there's plenty of scientific evidence that bald men rule the world," said Cody, playing mysterious.
Chef laughed loudly, enjoying every second of the conversation.
With the mood relaxed, Cody took the chance to share the idea he'd been holding onto.
"Well, speaking of ruling the world…" said Cody, shifting to a more serious tone.
Chris raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"What now?" asked Chris.
Cody leaned over the table, sounding almost disappointed.
"I've been thinking about building something. Something to kill time. Something to make the days more interesting," said Cody.
Chef crossed his arms, watching him with mild curiosity.
"And what do you want to build?" asked Chef.
Cody exhaled with excitement before answering.
"I don't know exactly yet, but I want a project. Something fun for everyone. Something we can actually use," said Cody.
Chris stayed silent for a moment, analyzing the idea before nodding with mild approval.
"You know what? I like it," said Chris, smiling. "You've got the green light, Cody. Build whatever you want—just don't blow up the camp."
Cody grinned wide, already imagining his next move.
"Excellent! I'll need materials, tools, and probably the help of a few geniuses!" said Cody, full of enthusiasm.
Chef looked at him with amusement before shaking his head.
"Kid, if anyone can convince people to join his madness, it's you," said Chef.
The night continued, with Cody already planning his next big project, while Chris and Chef kept enjoying the jokes and chaos of the dining hall.
The atmosphere shifted into motion.
Cody returned from the intern area, dragging tools and materials with effort, sweating but smiling wide.
He had a mission, a project, and he needed hands to make it real.
Owen, DJ, Noah, and Geoff were sitting around, not doing much, when Cody appeared in front of them, bursting with excitement.
Cody took a deep breath before making his big pitch.
"Guys, I need your help! I've got something amazing in mind," said Cody, full of energy.
DJ crossed his arms, watching him curiously.
"And what's this big idea?" asked DJ.
Without another word, Cody pulled a notebook from his backpack, opened it on the table, and slid the sketches toward the guys.
They were detailed blueprints—with measurements, structures, and notes.
It was a treehouse… but not just any treehouse.
It was incredible.
Geoff leaned in with interest, his eyes lighting up as he studied the drawings.
"Whoa! This is impressive," said Geoff, smiling.
Owen picked up the notebook and flipped through it, inspecting the details.
"It's insane… but I love it," said Owen, chuckling softly.
Noah looked at the notebook with a mix of disbelief and resignation.
"I don't know why I'm surprised. It's just as absurd as everything else you do," said Noah, rolling his eyes.
Cody enjoyed every reaction.
"So… are you in?" asked Cody, hopeful.
The guys looked at each other, considering the proposal.
Camp was dull, there wasn't much to do, and Cody always knew how to make the days more interesting.
DJ sighed before nodding with determination.
"Well, we've got nothing better to do. With you, Cody, we never know what's coming," said DJ, with a faint smile.
Geoff gave two enthusiastic thumbs up.
"This is gonna be an adventure, dude! Of course I'm in!" said Geoff, pumped.
Owen leaned toward Cody with a lazy grin.
"As long as there's food involved at some point, I'm helping," said Owen.
Noah shook his head but eventually agreed.
"If you give me a task that doesn't require excessive physical effort, I'm in," said Noah, in a monotone voice.
And just like that, the team was formed.
Cody beamed with satisfaction before slapping the table.
"Perfect! Let's build the most legendary treehouse this camp has ever seen!" said Cody.
The boys stood up, ready to start working on the project.
Once again, Cody had managed to unite everyone in a wild idea full of potential.
Music began to play.
🎶 "Cody the Builder!
Can he do it?
Cody the Builder!
Yes he can!" 🎶
🎵
Owen shakes the ground, strong without fail,
Noah with wit always knows what to nail,
Geoff spins fast, never slowing down,
DJ with care makes it all come around.
The team is ready, united and proud,
We work together, no challenge too loud.
(Chorus – Repeat)
Cody the Builder!
Can he do it?
Cody the Builder!
Yes he can!
🎵
In a stunning twist, the treehouse was built in just four hours.
But it wasn't luck.
It was because Cody had incredible engineering knowledge and superhuman strength, working like ten men at once.
The boys began organizing materials, lining up the wood, securing tools, and reviewing Cody's detailed blueprints.
But no one expected the speed Cody would work at.
Or the sheer strength he would display.
Cody walked to the base of the tree, measured the distance, grabbed a massive wooden plank with one hand, and lifted it like it weighed nothing.
DJ stood silent, raising an eyebrow.
"How the heck did you do that?" asked DJ, stunned.
Cody smiled as he placed the wood effortlessly.
"Pure strength, my friend. Lots of training… and maybe some special skills," said Cody, with a mysterious tone.
The others stared in disbelief.
Geoff looked at the plank, then at Cody, and laughed.
"This guy's a machine!" said Geoff, amazed.
Owen scratched his head, trying to process what he was seeing.
"Hey, if you can lift everything so fast, do we even need to do anything?" asked Owen.
Cody chuckled and pointed to the other parts of the project.
"Of course. I'll handle the heavy lifting, but I need you guys to assemble the pieces, hammer the supports, and pass me the materials," said Cody, confidently.
And so, the teamwork began.
Hours passed, and the progress was astonishing.
While the boys handled the details, Cody managed the heavy structures, moving beams, securing stability, and lifting key parts of the treehouse with ease.
DJ watched in awe as Cody lifted two giant wooden planks without breaking a sweat.
"Dude, are you sure you don't have powers?" asked DJ.
Cody, placing the pieces smoothly, replied:
"Let's just say I trained enough to make it look easy."
The result began to take shape.
Geoff looked up and whistled at the structure already built.
"This is looking amazing," said Geoff, full of excitement.
After four hours, it was done.
And it wasn't just a treehouse.
It was an elevated fortress.
Spacious, multi-leveled, with strategic access points—even a resting area with a view of the lake.
Owen stared at the structure, mouth wide open, then burst into laughter.
"THIS IS THE BEST THING WE'VE EVER DONE!" shouted Owen, thrilled.
DJ crossed his arms, admiring the finished work.
"I gotta admit, Cody, this is incredible," said DJ, with respect.
Noah looked at Cody with mild disbelief.
"What worries me most is that we did all this in four hours. Something here defies logic."
Cody leaned against the base of the structure, smiling with satisfaction.
"When you have a vision and the right people, you can do amazing things," said Cody, proud.
The team stood before their masterpiece, knowing they had created something that would be remembered at camp.
The treehouse wasn't just a project.
It was a new legend.
The sun began to set, painting the sky with warm tones that contrasted with the camp's greenery. A soft breeze moved the branches of the towering tree that now held one of the most incredible constructions ever built on the island.
What started as a simple idea was now reality.
Cody, with his mysterious strength and impossible knowledge, had taken this project to an extraordinary level.
The other boys, though skeptical at first, couldn't deny they were witnessing something amazing.
In front of them, rising proudly from the rugged trunk, stood the treehouse.
But calling it a "house" wasn't enough.
It was a fortress, a refuge, a wooden masterpiece built with basic materials and talent that defied logic.
When the final nail was hammered and Cody ensured everything was perfectly reinforced, the boys stepped back to admire the result.
Silence.
For a few seconds, no one said a word.
Not because they didn't want to—but because they didn't know how to express what they were seeing.
Owen was the first to react, shouting with joy that echoed across the camp.
"THIS IS PERFECT!" yelled Owen.
And then, the excitement exploded.
DJ ran a hand over his head, stunned by the flawless structure.
"How… how did we do this in four hours?" asked DJ, still trying to process it.
Geoff spun around, admiring the size of the build.
"This is insane! We're throwing parties here, I swear!" said Geoff.
Noah crossed his arms, serious-faced but clearly amazed.
"This place is impressive… which is even more concerning because it makes no sense that we built it so fast," said Noah, exhaling.
While the others expressed their shock, Cody simply smiled, arms crossed with pride.
"I told you it would be legendary," said Cody, confidently.
Structure Overview:
Main Platform:
Wide and secure, reinforced with thick beams that Cody assembled with swift, precise movements. The wood was aligned to support multiple people and withstand storms or strong winds.
"This floor is more stable than the camp's dining hall," said DJ, stomping the wood to test it.
"Yeah, and it smells better too," added Noah, dryly.
Walls and Roof:
Made of strategically joined planks, shielding from wind and rain without being fully enclosed. Natural openings allowed light in, creating a cozy yet functional space.
"Check out this view," said Geoff, peeking through one of the openings.
From there, you could see the entire camp.
"If anyone wants to keep watch, this is the best spot," said Cody, tapping the structure approvingly.
Windows and Lookouts:
Multiple openings offered panoramic views of the lake and the island—perfect for observing without being seen.
"If someone's looking for us, we'll see them before they arrive. This place is perfect," said DJ, nodding.
Access Ladder:
The climb wasn't easy. A sturdy wooden ladder led to the main entrance, secured with extra supports.
"Climb up, check out the inside!" said Cody, encouraging the others.
One by one, the boys climbed.
Inside, they realized the space was bigger than expected.
"I added a few extra touches," said Cody, smiling.
And that's where the magic was.
Rest Area:
Wooden benches carved for comfort. Cody designed the seats with precise angles so they'd be cozy even without cushions.
"I could stay here all night," said Owen, dropping onto a bench with a relaxed smile.
Rope Bridge:
Connected the treehouse to a lower branch. Reinforced with strategic knots, ensuring it wouldn't collapse under weight.
"It's like having a secondary entrance," said DJ, testing the bridge carefully.
"Or a great escape route if someone tries to catch us," added Geoff, with a sly grin.
Storage Space:
Hidden compartments built into the structure, perfect for storing tools, supplies, or secret items.
"This is way too clever," said Noah, opening one with curiosity.
Central Table:
In the middle of the house, a wooden table designed for meetings, games, and strategy.
"This place is perfect," said Geoff, laughing.
When they finished admiring every corner, the boys collapsed into the rest area, feeling the satisfaction of a job well done.
"We've created a legend," said Cody, gazing at the structure with pride.
"Definitely," added DJ, nodding.
"There's just one thing missing," said Owen, stretching his arms.
"What's that?" asked Cody.
Owen grinned wide before shouting with excitement:
"A TREEHOUSE PARTY!"
The others burst into laughter, thrilled about the future of their new hideout.
Because no matter how long camp lasted…
This treehouse would be part of their story forever.
The excitement still buzzed in the air, but Cody knew it was time to rest.
Owen kept bouncing around, waving his arms like he was already planning the party.
"Let's celebrate! This is amazing!" shouted Owen, bursting with endless energy.
Cody let out a soft laugh, crossing his arms as he looked at the rest of the team.
"Easy, buddy. We partied yesterday, and today we worked hard. The best thing we can do now is rest," said Cody, in a relaxed tone.
DJ stretched, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"Yeah, I agree with Cody. We've earned this break," said DJ, giving Owen a light tap on the shoulder.
Noah ran a hand down his face, visibly exhausted.
"For the first time in this entire camp, I actually want to sleep early," said Noah, dryly.
The boys began to disperse, climbing down from the treehouse and heading toward their cabins.
But Cody, still standing on the structure, noticed something in the distance.
....................
The chamber was filled with floating hourglasses, glowing runes, and puzzles that whispered in Latin. **StarClans_3rdElder** moved swiftly, solving each intellectual trial like he'd memorized the universe's cheat codes.
"Level 7 complete. That was satisfying," he muttered, as a secret door opened out of sheer respect.
Then he heard it.
"Come on, cube! Just fit already!"
He turned. Way back in Phase One stood **Charly**, sombrero tilted, mustache slightly frayed from frustration, trying to shove a **cube** into a **triangle-shaped hole**.
There were four shapes on the table. All wrong. All already tried.
Charly was sweating. The cube had emotional damage.
StarClans_3rdElder sighed.
"Not again…" he said, walking back with the patience of a monk and the resignation of a best friend.
Charly looked up with hope.
"What if I push it with faith?"
"No, Charly. Not with faith. With geometry."
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