Chapter 409

Chapter 409

Before Susan got pregnant, I had this crazy idea that we could take a risk, pretend we didn't want to explore, and then let the Atlanteans force us into that so-called time tunnel. Maybe, just maybe, we could actually get back to our homeland.

But now, as I glanced at Joseph and Susan, I slowly abandoned the thought of dragging everyone into such a dangerous adventure.

So, I gathered everyone together again.

"Alex, what's up? Got another plan?" William asked.

"Yeah," I nodded, scanning everyone's slightly panicked faces. "I'm torn. I really want to take everyone with me because this might be our last chance to get home. But I'm also scared that the so-called time tunnel is full of dangers, and we might die the moment we step in."

I sighed deeply. "So, the decision is up to you. At least if you choose wrong, you won't blame anyone else. Especially Joseph and Susan. You're not just two people anymore; you're a family of three."

Joseph looked at me, then at the pale-faced Susan, struggling to make a decision.

"Staying here is dangerous too," William said. "I don't think the Atlanteans will let us go. They might throw us into the tunnel anyway."

Andy nodded in agreement. "Not might, they definitely will. Unless we break free from the Atlanteans' control, our safety isn't guaranteed."

Lily chimed in, "It's not like escaping guarantees survival either. Outside isn't any safer than Atlantis. Unless we get back to the Nordrakars and the dwarves, our lives are still at risk."

Joseph's voice was urgent. "So what do we do? We can't escape, but we can't stay either?"

Emily whispered, "I'm going with Alex, no matter what dangers lie ahead. This is our only clue to leaving here. If we really do get back, that would be great. If not, I'd rather die with him than suffer here."

Lisa clearly shared Emily's sentiment. "Exactly. Moving forward gives us a chance to live. Staying here is certain death. We might as well take the gamble. If we succeed, we live. If we fail, we die. No big deal."

Carl quickly covered her mouth. "Don't be so pessimistic. If it comes to it, you can stay with me. The rest can fend for themselves."

I smiled wryly. "Is this what they call 'every man for himself in times of crisis'?"

Carl shrugged. "I can only take two people with me. Anyone else want to come?"

Renee raised her hand. "I do."

Tim was shocked. "What about me?"

Daniel glanced at Carl but said nothing. His face showed he wanted to go with Carl.

Carl ignored them. "See? No one wants to come with me."

His double standard made everyone laugh, easing the tension a bit.

"Think it over," I said. "Your life is in your own hands. If you decide to escape, I'll try to hold off the Atlanteans. Run as far as you can, but I can't guarantee your safety once you're out."

"What about you?" William asked. "What will you do?"

"I probably won't make it," I said with a bitter smile. "Not to sound cocky, but Leroy needs me right now. As long as I'm here, they might not care if you escape."

Silence fell over the group again.

I stood up. "You have a little more time to think. Let me know your decision. I'll try to distract Leroy and the Atlantis guards."

With that, I walked towards where I last saw Leroy.

Soon, a torrential downpour began, but the overlapping sun and moon in the sky remained unmoved, and the stars were unaffected. The sea was dark and stormy, with waves crashing towards the shore.

As the ground shook, the Atlanteans panicked, crouching down and looking around nervously.

I held Emily tightly to protect her, my eyes fixed on the sea, afraid to miss anything important.

Before long, lightning seemed to be drawn to something, striking the sea repeatedly. A stone gate with a swirling vortex rose from the water, standing firmly amidst the waves.

Leroy saw it too, his face filled with awe. "Alex, is that the time tunnel? It's magnificent. Even if I don't make it out alive, it's worth it."

I frowned. What did Leroy mean by that? Did he want to go in too?

I didn't have time to ponder Leroy's thoughts. I just stared at the closed stone gate.

The gate hadn't opened yet, and we had no boats. Swimming over recklessly could be fatal, so we had to wait for the right moment.

This was also the best time for my companions to escape.

I asked them again, "There's no more time to think. Are you escaping or staying?"

"Of course, we're running," Renee said. "Who knows what's in there?"

Tim disagreed. "But what if we can really go back through that tunnel? If we run, they might get to go back."

Renee stammered, "But we might not make it. We could die in there."

Lisa said, "But what if we can go back? You'd miss the best chance. This is a once-in-a-century opportunity. Can you wait another hundred years?"

Andy shook his head. "We can't wait. We might get eaten by wild animals as soon as we escape."

Renee was anxious. "So what do we do?"

No one knew. Not going in meant missing the chance to go back, and going in meant risking death.

It was the hardest decision: life or death.

William smiled wryly. "Let's go. I'll put my fifty percent hope in Alex."

Lily made her decision. "Think of it this way: either way, we die. So let's move forward. Life is about moving forward, right?"

Andrew gritted his teeth. "I'm in too!"

Emily held my hand tightly, her resolve unchanged. "I said it before, I'll follow Alex even if it means death."

Andy didn't plan on turning back, so he didn't say anything. Seeing his determination, I didn't ask his opinion.

The ones still hesitating were Daniel, Renee, Tim, Lisa, Joseph, and Susan.

Carl didn't need to decide. If there was danger, he could easily fly away. The Atlanteans couldn't do anything to him.