Meanwhile…
Levi had no intention of giving up.
After thinking through every possible solution, only one person came to mind.
The Godmother.
She had been one of his parents’ closest friends.
When Arthur and his wife disappeared, she took Levi and the twins under her wing.
Arthur had taught Levi how to fight.
The Godmother taught him how to survive.
Levi had been only fifteen years old when his parents vanished.
Before then, he had never known hardship.
His family had been wealthy.
There had always been food on the table.
Warm beds.
Clean clothes.
His parents handled every problem before it ever reached him.
After they disappeared…
Everything changed.
The Godmother became the person who prepared him for the cruel reality of the Dryland.
She was strict.
Demanding.
Sometimes even harsh.
But every lesson she taught him had kept him alive.
She had raised dozens of orphans over the years.
Although she tried not to show favoritism…
Everyone could tell Levi held a special place in her heart.
Not because she spoiled him.
But because he reminded her so much of Arthur.
The Godmother was one of the wealthiest merchants in the Dryland.
Most people knew her by another name.
The Truck Queen.
She owned dozens of eighteen-wheelers that constantly traveled between the districts.
Some trucks carried rare goods.
Others transported food, medicine, and weapons.
Several had even been converted into homes, workshops, and inns for weary travelers.
In the Dryland…
Movement meant survival.
Anyone who stayed in one place for too long eventually disappeared.
After years of traveling, the Truck Queen finally established her headquarters in the Third District.
The next morning Levi gathered everyone together.
“We’re going to visit the Godmother.”
The twins immediately cheered.
“I knew we’d go see her!” Carmen said excitedly.
Olivia smiled. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“I’ve missed her.”
Not everyone shared their enthusiasm.
Logan rubbed the back of his neck.
“Doesn’t she hate us?”
Levi sighed.
“Not exactly.”
“She doesn’t hate you.”
“She just hasn’t forgiven you.”
Everyone knew what he meant.
Several months earlier, Levi had returned from a mission so badly injured that he nearly died.
The Godmother blamed everyone who had been with him.
Since then…
She had never looked at the group the same way.
The road connecting the districts stretched farther than anyone knew.
No one remembered who had built it.
No records existed.
Some believed it had always been there.
Others believed the System created it.
Whatever the truth…
One thing was certain.
Monsters never approached it.
The roads were one of the few safe places left in the Dryland.
Travelers often slept beside them without fear.
Leaving the road, however…
Was another story.
Each district became increasingly dangerous.
The higher the district number…
The stronger the monsters became.
No one had ever successfully conquered the Twelfth District.
Or if they had…
No one lived to tell the story.
The drive from the First District to the Third took nearly an entire day.
The sun slowly disappeared beyond the mountains before lights finally appeared on the horizon.
For many of the younger members…
It looked like a small city.
Hundreds of lanterns illuminated the night.
Massive trucks lined both sides of the road.
Some had been transformed into stores.
Others into workshops.
Restaurants.
Even homes.
Children laughed while merchants negotiated prices.
Mechanics repaired engines late into the evening.
The entire place buzzed with life.
Compared to the harsh wilderness…
It almost felt like another world.
Emma looked out the truck window in amazement.
“I forgot places like this still existed.”
Levi smiled.
“The Godmother built all of this.”
He parked his old truck near the entrance before climbing the metal stairs leading to the headquarters.
The moment he stepped inside…
Several children recognized him.
“Levi!”
“Big Brother Levi!”
They rushed toward him, surrounding him with excited smiles.
He laughed as they hugged him one after another.
The Godmother had always taken in orphaned children.
Some she raised.
Others she trained to become merchants, mechanics, medics, or mercenaries.
She believed everyone deserved a chance to survive.
Levi greeted each child before leading his friends into the inn.
The inside was warm and lively.
Travelers sat around wooden tables eating hot meals while music played softly in the background.
It smelled of fresh bread, roasted meat, and soup.
Something none of them had enjoyed in a very long time.
Levi’s group quietly took seats near the bar.
They couldn’t afford a room.
They had only come to ask for help.
A servant hurried upstairs after noticing Levi.
Only moments later…
The Godmother’s voice echoed from above.
“Send Levi to me.”
Everyone turned toward him.
Levi simply smiled.
“I won’t be long.”
He climbed the stairs alone while the others waited downstairs.
As he reached the third floor, two large wooden doors slowly opened.
The Godmother was waiting for him.