Everyone gathered in a circle, sitting on the cold forest floor to discuss their next move.
The excitement from finding the Command Post had faded, replaced by uncertainty.
No one spoke.
They all waited for Levi.
He sat quietly with his head lowered, thinking.
Finally, he looked at Carter.
“So, explain it to me again.”
Carter scratched the back of his head, clearly lacking confidence.
“I have a Command Post called the Vanguard.”
“What does it do?”
“It’s a defense-type Command Post. It lets me create shields, not only for myself but for other Command Posts as well. But when I tried to open it…” He sighed.
“It says I need map acres and puzzle pieces.”
“It also gave me a time limit.”
Levi looked up.
“How long?”
“Five months.”
“And if you don’t find them in time?”
“The Vanguard will be revoked.”
“That’s not enough time,” Carmen said, her shoulders dropping.
“Especially when we just got it,” Logan added.
Silence settled over the group.
The excitement from moments ago slowly disappeared as doubt crept into everyone’s mind.
“Does it tell you where to find them?” Levi asked.
“Let me check.”
Carter was still unfamiliar with the Vanguard.
There were so many functions that he could barely understand any of them.
He felt both excited and overwhelmed.
Everyone expected him to have answers.
The truth was…
He knew almost nothing.
The only thing he had figured out was how to open and close the Command Post.
All he had to do was say its name.
Levi wanted information—anything that could help them understand their situation.
After a moment, a transparent blue screen appeared before Carter.
A map unfolded across it.
Ten large pieces of land were scattered throughout the world like broken puzzle pieces.
Small glowing dots marked their exact locations.
“The first one…” Carter whispered.
“It’s here.”
He pointed toward the forest.
“In the Twelfth District.”
Levi let out a small breath.
“That’s the only good news we’ve had today.”
Joshua folded his arms.
“So, Levi… what’s the plan?”
Levi answered immediately.
“How many supplies do we have left?”
“Not much,” Logan replied.
“A little ammunition, some equipment, and that’s about it.”
Levi nodded.
“It would be a waste not to investigate. But Joe is injured.”
He glanced toward Olivia.
“You have better medical supplies back at the truck.”
She nodded.
“I’ll be able to treat him properly there.”
Levi continued.
“We also won’t be the only team searching this forest.”
He looked around at everyone.
“We’re splitting up.”
He pointed toward Joe.
“Joe, Selena, Emma, Carmen, and Olivia—you’ll return to the truck.”
He looked at Carmen.
“Park it on the other side of the mountain.”
“Why?” Emma asked.
“Because that’s the route we’ll use when we come back.”
No one wanted to leave.
But they understood.
Joe needed treatment, and bringing him deeper into the forest would only slow everyone down.
Olivia packed several healing syringes, fresh bandages, and a few first-aid kits before slinging her medical case over her shoulder.
Before leaving, the twins walked over to Levi.
Without saying a word, the three of them performed their family handshake.
Carmen smiled.
“Remember, Brother…”
“Only eat what you can kill.”
Olivia nodded with a grin.
Levi laughed softly.
“Of course.”
“I’ll come back.”
The twins hugged him before turning away.
Soon only four people remained.
Levi.
Joshua.
Logan.
And Carter.
Together they headed toward the marked location.
Joshua moved ahead to scout the area.
He was unlike anyone Levi had ever met.
Tall.
Lean.
Agile.
He could climb trees almost as easily as he could walk across the ground.
His speed rivaled a cheetah’s, and he had an uncanny ability to disappear into nature.
He rarely spoke.
But when he did…
People listened.
If Levi was the group’s brain…
Joshua was its eyes.
Within minutes, he disappeared into the forest without making a sound.
As he approached the marked location, he found no monsters.
Instead…
An elderly woman stood quietly in the middle of a clearing.
She leaned on a wooden cane with both hands resting atop it.
Despite her age, there was something elegant about her posture.
Something regal.
Joshua could easily imagine how beautiful she must have been in her younger years.
The woman smiled the moment she noticed him.
“Would you like to buy my land?” she asked politely.
“I’ll sell it to you for a reasonable price.”
Joshua remained cautious.
“How much?”
The woman’s smile disappeared.
“I won’t sell it to you.”
“Bring me the one who controls the Vanguard.”