THE RISE OF ATLAS

THE DARK ORDER

As Seth spoke, Aerys and Lyra listened in silence, their hearts heavy with the weight of his words. The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows on the walls of the cave, and they could hear the distant sounds of the jungle coming to life with the rising sun.

Despite their own sorrows, they felt a profound sense of gratitude for the few moments of peace they had found together. They knew that their journey was far from over, and they would need to rely on each other to navigate the dangers that lay ahead.

The three of them spent the day resting and recuperating, tending to Lyra's wounds and sharing stories of their pasts. They talked about their dreams, their fears, and their hopes for the future. A strange bond began to form between them, as they discovered that their shared experiences had made them unlikely allies in a world that was often cruel and unforgiving.

Day broke and they kept moving as Seth accompanied them as he knew about skull island more than any of them. They were heading to the northern island of stone stonecove

The journey to Stonecove was filled with both beauty and danger. As they trekked through dense jungles, crossed treacherous rivers, and scaled towering cliffs, they encountered fierce predators and hostile tribes. Avoiding danger as much as they could,

As they approached Stonecove, they could see the massive stone walls of the fortress looming in the distance.

The creatures were a blur of sharp angles and sleek scales having a bird and reptile like body, with wings that glinted in the light like shards of obsidian. They moved with a terrifying grace, their movements both graceful and deadly. The people of the North had always spoken of them in hushed tones, describing their power and ferocity, and now as they saw them with their own eyes, those stories seemed all too real.

"Well, look what we have here," Seth murmured, his eyes fixed on the sky. "Welcome to Stonecove, home of the legendary drakon.

Stonecove is a scenery of high walls ,with caves and water falls ,green gardens on the water ,boats that floats in and out of the caves and a leafy oasis.

How do we get pass the guards ,”I know a short court seth says as he stirred the boat east of the entrance into the the island passing along water falls till they reached a cove nearby were they docked and he led them into the caves until they arrived at a campsite filled with strong broad men and children resembling new recruits.

The guards, busy for the day, seemed to be none the wiser. Seth nodded in approval, grateful for his knowledge of the island's layout. As they made their way to the campsite, Lyra couldn't help but feel a sense of worry. Despite their grueling journey, they had finally arrived, and now, it seems like more trouble.

As they approached the campsite, the air grew heavy with tension. The strong, broad men stood in rigid formations, their weapons at the ready. Children huddled in the shadows, their eyes wide with fear. Aerys could sense that something was amiss, and he knew that their plans were about to change.

"What's happening here?" he whispered to Seth, who had a look of concern etched across his face.

Seth sighed, scrubbing his hands over his face. "I think we've arrived just in time

In time for what,where have you brought us “aerys asked

This our hide out

“Our" lyra asked in a confused tone

I am part of a resistance ,we fight the vreion army in every possible way.each of us has a job, some attack the supply chains of the food and Coles shipped to cree,some are assigned to liberate colonies of House vreion, whilst a small number of others well trained go hand to hand with the vreion army.

And you,what’s your job ?

I find recruits, people with hate for cree,strong will and determination, and potential fighters.

This is why you helped us,so you can recruit us? This was your plan all along aerys said as he shoved seth”

I am no ones errand boy,you said you can get me home ,that’s why I went with you, this is not my home!aerys said with a grim voice

This is what we do ,this is your home ,there's no place for people like us ,we cab’t stand in front of them we’d be killed in seconds, if you had made it home what makes you so sure that yoyd be able to protect your village, protect your father for all you know they may all be dead “seth said yelling at aerys whilst aerys grabbed his neck and pinned him to the wall.

“ That is enough, stop this madness at once. “ a tall strong man with muscles like structured bricks and scars depicts a valiant warrior of a thousand battles.

“You will not disrespect my home,this is the DARK ORDER .we are woriors and knights with one course in mind ,survival and revenge. If you can find a way out of here by yourself, then you can leave but if not do well not to break my rules again “Allen said as he lifted aerys by the throat and threw him across the room

Aerys stumbled, catching himself against the wall before falling to the floor. He wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes burning with anger.

"I understand your frustration," he said,Meeting Allen's gaze. "But I didn't come here to break any rules. I came here to find a way back to my people." We'll do whatever it takes to help your resistance, but we can't fight for you if we're not allowed to leave when we want to."

Allen considered their words, his expression softening slightly. "Very well, I see your point. But we have a task for you. We need people with your skills to go on a mission that could change the course of the war."

Aerys and Lyra exchanged glances

“We dont have any skills lyra said

Everyone has one ,you just don't know it yet .Get some rest and we would talk better tomorrow .

As they were being led to thier tent ,seth tries approaching lyra and aerys went for him with a knife by the throat “if I catch you even a foot close to us again, I will gut you and feed you and feed you to the wild

" Aerys warned through gritted teeth. Seth's eyes widened in fear, but he nodded slowly, understanding the severity of the situation.

That night, as they lay in their tent, the weight of their fate began to sink in. They had been plunged into a conflict they never asked for, and the price of their survival might be higher than they ever imagined. As they drifted off to sleep, they knew that the following day would be the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, one filled with danger, sacrifice, and the hope of a better future.

As the sun rises, the camp was filled with movement and activities, “lyra i’m going to try and find out a little about this people, I still don't trust them aerys said as he left his tent.

Aerys was taken to the training ground of the dark order,where blades and swords met with high friction and heavy strength

As he was observing thier training and skillset ,aerys proceeded to ask some of the soilders in the crowd about the dark order,

How is it your able to afford this set of weaponry? The swords and spears for this many people, not to talk of the abundant of food .

We don't really ask questions, we need it and its just provided that’s why this place is the safest,we trust in our leader.

“And who exactly leads this order?

Allen the great knight, he us brave and fierce he is our shield.

Aerys still not being convinced decided to probe further, till he was met with a question “have you held a sword before Aerys, can you detach someone’s neck from his body huh?

Allen asked

“Yes I have wielded a sword ,but never really practiced with it, I wasn't really allowed to

Allowed to, a random man from the crowd reechoed aerys words “are you a girl or what ,every male should learn how to use a sword .hats what were made for,

enough! Today aerys you learn. ”Allen said as he threw a sword at his feet’s.

Aerys caught the sword with a surprised look on his face. He held it gingerly, noticing how sharp and well-made it was. He had never seen a weapon like this before, let alone held one. But there was no time to ponder, as Allen stepped forward and began teaching him the basics of sword fighting.

The training was intense and grueling, but Aerys found himself enjoying the challenge. It was a welcome distraction from the uncertainty of his situation and the fear he felt about the enemy that lay just beyond their campsite. He was grateful for the opportunity to learn something new, even if it was in the midst of a war.

As the sun began to set, Aerys left the training grounds, his body exhausted but his mind buzzing with excitement. He knew that he still had much to learn, but he felt a little semblance of trust towards Allen and the Dark Order now, even if there were still so many doubts.as aerys reaches his tent he catches sight of a mysterious figure arriving at the campsite looked suspicious, but he didn’t much bother about it and went in to sleep.