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44
THIRD PERSON’S POV
In a bushy area, concealed beneath a verdant canopy. The foliage, a tapestry of vibrant greens, is woven together to form an impenetrable fortress.
The air hung heavy with the earthy scent of damp soil and the chorus of unseen creatures added an eerie ambiance to the scene.
The three alphas are scattered like sprinkled seedlings, each of them looking exhausted, the colour of their shirts dark shade because of profuse sweating and their sword sheathed to their sides.
“Could you both at least wait?” Hunter yells baritone echoes in the air. "It's getting dark and we still need to find a shade while we still can.” He gasps with his mouth open, trying to catch his breath.
“We? I’m afraid you're alone in this. I didn't come this far to give a cute little bro speech in the woods. Save it for when I become alpha.” Hector's voice is void of emotions.
“In your dreams brother. Quit being delusional, it doesn't suit you, I can tell you for free.”
Hector turns to face Hunter, not stopping for once. "Scared of the dark? How did you become an alpha?” he faces forward and continues walking.
“By birth. I never chose this for myself and I never will.”
"Great. Just see this as nature mending its ways. A second chance for you to choose right, dust these responsibilities off your frail shoulder, and back out.”
“My answer to nature is no. I will rewrite my course. It shoved this fate down my throat and I’m just giving myself a reason to live it.”
“Hypocrisy. Hunter, it's just you doing what you love now, huh?”
"Even if I chose this path, dying in the middle of hell forsaken place in the freaking dark is never part of the plan.”
Hudson is a few steps from Hector, eyes on every path in scrutiny- a one-man army. His face is seemingly disgusted. He halts, unsure of the next turn to take. "Can you both shut the fuck up? Unlike you all, someone is trying to think.”
“No, you don't get to take your frustration on me.” Hunter fires. "Likewise, you don't tell me what to do.”
“I’m so happy you finally grew some balls in the woods. I’m not trying to spend forever in this crappy dumb unlike you. So please shut the fuck up.”
"We've been in here for four days, my water bottle is almost empty. We were told to just come in here, grab the shuttle artefact and get the eff out. Now it's seeming like a fairy tale.”
There is silence between them asides from the noise of birds and creatures.
“What's the artefact like if I may ask?” Hector is curious.
“In the first place, you shouldn't be here if you don't know it's a puzzle and I can't share my piece with you, dying or not.” Hudson blasts.
“When it's something of common sense, the presumed smart ones are dumb.” Hudson shades Hector.
“You’ve never been more correct, especially when there is no correlation between ill-tempered and common sense,” Hector responds in wit.
Hudson turns to face Hector, anger welling up ad he approaches him. "What the fuck did you just say?”
“Oh, you rather give everyone a piece of your vexation but yourself? How generous.”
“Don’t deviate. Just fucking repeat.” He dares.
“I never deviated. It takes only the smart ones to understand.”
Hunter gets in the middle, preventing them from jumping on each other. Hudson's eyes were crimson. "Trust me, it will be delightful to watch you both get rid of each other, making me the last man standing. The smartest way to solve this puzzle.”
He continues “You know this whole search is a shitty idea of the Beta and I’m not yet enlightened as to why. So you either get your asses together this minute or kill yourselves.”
Hudson smacks Hunter's hand off his chest so he will be free. "And somehow you think you're the most sensible even though the youngest?”
"It's not an assumption, a fact that is already evidenced by you both.”
"Trust me I will scar your pretty face.” Hudson warns.
“If you think you're the only one that can go violent, you're most of all unfortunate.” Hunter gets a firm grip on his sword, waiting for Hudson to strike.
Hector laughs, walking towards them. "Finally, you dumb skulls believe I will be a mediator? Think again!” he stalls past them.
They both hesitate for a while before dropping their sword back into its sheath.
“So we are clear, we have three things up for grasp; the artefact, Aaliyah, and the baby...”
"Hudson, firstly Aaliyah and her baby are not to be objectified like some lesser good.”
"Fucking pick yours."
“With Aaliyah, comes the baby.” Hunter shrugs.
"Nope, with the artefact, Aaliyah follows. Magnetic field, can you relate?”
"Your greatest philosophy since day one.” Hector mocks Hudson.
“No!” Hudson screams. "To be honest, when I get this piece we are in here for, there will be no room for negotiation. I will freaking slit your throat without thinking twice.”
“You should focus on leaving here alive. Don't think for once I will let you get as far as out of this shit while with the treasure in possession. I don't trust you both anyways.”
Vile is being carried along by movements in the woods. It's not from Hector, Hudson, or Hunter; it's from somewhere else.
The alpha brothers seem to be joined by others. Their methodical movements suggest that it might be worse than artefact hunting.
A member of the rogue group appears next to Hunter, wearing all-black clothing and concealing his face with a head tie. Hunter jerks, certain that it is someone and not the darkness tricking him. He begins to descend the disguised man without moving.
“Hey, we've got company.” Hunter announces.
“Deal with your demons bro, or wet your pants.” Hector doesn't stop, though he is farthest from Hunter, with Hudson in the middle.
The masked assailant charges Hudson, his oblivious target, rather than Hunter. Hunter draws his sword quickly and engages the rogue with it.
The two brothers turn in panic as a result of the commotion generated by their crashing swords, recognizing Hunter was correct.
The rogue retreats as many more people wearing masks emerge from their hiding places. The only things the three alphas had were themselves and their weapons.
They face the rogues while standing side by side with their backs to one another. Later, they would take care of themselves.