Chapter 12 - Chapter 12 – Bonds in the Chaos

The forest hung heavy with smoke and ash. The scent of blood clung thick in the air, mixing with the damp earth and charred wood. Veer, Ashish, and the quiet boy pressed against the shattered remains of a stone outcrop as muffled orc war cries drew closer.Their breaths came fast, no time to rest.From the shadows, enhanced orcs emerged—larger, broader, more cunning than any they'd faced before. One hurled a massive boulder with deadly precision, striking the ground just inches from the quiet boy. Dust and pebbles sprayed over him, and he stumbled, narrowly catching himself, panic briefly flashing behind his composed eyes.Veer reacted in an instant. Channeling his strange energy, he absorbed the kinetic force, redirecting it outward in a controlled burst that knocked the boulder off course.The quiet boy's eyes widened. "You… you saved me," he said quietly, disbelief clear in his voice.Veer met his gaze, fists glowing faintly. "You trust me?"The boy's gaze dropped, then met Veer's again, a subtle but meaningful nod. For the first time, since the raid began, he allowed himself to rely on another.Ashish surged forward, his body shimmering faintly as his stone-hard energy solidified his limbs. He slammed into a charging orc, sending it sprawling backward. "Stay close!" he shouted, his grin brief but fierce. "We move together—or die alone!"Veer's mind raced. The enhanced orcs were not ordinary—some wielded crude elemental magic, bending fire and earth unnaturally. Kinetic energy alone would not suffice."Follow my lead," Veer muttered to the quiet boy. He sprinted forward, unleashing a concentrated burst that shattered a tree trunk, blocking the path of attackers. The quiet boy's eyes flickered as he extended a hand, gravity warping subtly—twisting a branch midair and toppling several orcs into the underbrush."Impressive," Veer said, a brief smile cutting through the chaos. "You've got a knack."The boy's stern expression softened just slightly—the first hint of camaraderie between them. No words exchanged—just understanding.The three moved as one. Veer absorbed and redirected energy, smashing orcs off balance. Ashish barreled through the toughest foes, his stone-like form impervious to claws and blades. The quiet boy manipulated gravity, tipping the terrain to disorient enemies.But danger lurked—more orc warriors leapt down from above, slicing toward them.Veer intercepted an attack aimed at the boy, knocking the assailant tumbling into Ashish's path. Ashish crushed the orc with one punishing punch, fury blazing.Panting and bloodied, they reached a ruined watchtower. Veer slammed his hand against the stone wall, feeling the vibrations of approaching footsteps."We can't stay," he muttered. "They'll surround us."Ashish wiped sweat mixed with blood from his brow. "Then we move. Together."The quiet boy paused, scanning the horizon. His hands twitched, gravity flickering faintly."I… I'll follow." The words were simple but weighted.Veer nodded, a rare warmth spreading through his chest. Trust was forming."Good. Stick close. Don't hesitate."From the dense treeline rose a guttural war cry—deeper, louder than before. Dozens of enhanced orcs advanced—larger, smarter, more disciplined. Their glowing eyes locked on the trio, anticipation written in every sinew.Veer's gaze hardened. Ashish's fists clenched as radiant as stone. The boy readied his gravity manipulation.Together, shoulder to shoulder, they formed a silent pact amidst the chaos.Veer thought of the forest beyond, the looming disaster zone, and the friends lost in battle. But for now, survival was enough.The orcs charged.And in that instant, they became more than three—they became a single force: ready to fight, to trust, and to endure whatever the disaster zone would throw their way next.