Chapter 24: Stand Off: Huey Blade and The Council

Huey found himself suppressing a frenzied smile, his lips poised in a delicate balance as he engaged in a tense tug-of-war with the formidable Ntuli Tribal Head. The clash of their opposing auras filled the chamber, each asserting dominance in their own right, further escalating the already palpable tension to unimaginable heights.

As the atmosphere thickened, it transitioned from merely heavy to suffocating, making each breath a struggle for those caught in the crossfire. Elders, guards, even Bling Hathaway, all stood frozen, their minds unable to form coherent thoughts amidst the overwhelming pressure.

Suddenly, a massive figure burst into the chamber from a separate room, breaking the oppressive atmosphere with startling swiftness. "My Chief!" cried out Barak, rushing to the side of their leader and bowing in a tense, reflexive gesture of respect.

"Are we under attack?!" Barak's voice trembled with urgency as he sought to assess the situation, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger.

"I sensed bloodlust emanating from this chamber — huh?" The newcomer raised his head, his gaze shifting incredulously to Huey on the other side, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief.

"Yo," Huey responded casually, offering a peace sign as he observed the warrior's weathered appearance. 

Barak barged into the chamber sickly, and his torso and arms wrapped in thick bandages. His massive figure seemed to have lost only a few pounds as he appeared a little leaner than the last time Huey saw him only a few hours ago.

"Warrior of the Wall, what are you...?" He began as his eyes slowly widened in understanding.

Before he could accuse him of anything, Huey interrupted him with a dismissive gesture.

"Relax. I'm not here to argue," he said, staring solemnly into the Tribal Chief's eyes.

Despite the turmoil and threats that had occurred, the Ntuli Tribal Chief remained motionless. His bright azure eyes fixed squarely on his visitor, their somber gaze unaffected. His expression, shadowed by the mosaics behind him, remained detached and unperturbed.

Huey detected a hint of boredom in the Chief's demeanor, mirroring his own aloofness.

'This Village chief must be crazily powerful, it seems, ' Thinking so, Huey clenched his sword, feeling a surge of dark excitement. He carefully maintained a stoic mask, separating his thoughts from his actions as he observed the apparently powerful Village chief. 

"My name is Huey Blade," Huey asserted, seizing control of the conversation. "And three days ago, I emerged from a Red Rift, crossing over into this world."

The chamber fell into stunned silence, every gaze widening in disbelief, including Professor Bling Hathaway's. Even he couldn't hide his genuine shock as he stared at the enigmatic stranger. Slowly, a sense of understanding began to dawn, and excitement stirred within him.

Ignoring the wary and befuddled gazes of the Elders and even Barack, Huey maintained his composure. The tribal chief's furrowed brows and piercing glare indicated his growing concern. "What are you saying?" his deep voice reverberated through the chamber.

Professor Hathaway adjusted his glasses, already sweating with excitement. "Hold on a minute, Huey. Are you saying you're from the other side of a Rift? As in, where the invaders come from?" His green eyes held a newfound intensity as he focused on Huey.

Remaining indifferent, Huey carefully filtered certain information about himself before responding flatly in his usual tone of voice.

"Quite the contrary. I'm from Earth," Huey responded vaguely, giving a contradictory answer.

"But you just admitted to emerging into our world from a Rift," Professor Hathaway interjected, his tone skeptical. Huey also didn't fail to miss how he referred to Earth as 'thier' world not his. 

"Hmph. He's delusional! Does he expect us to believe him?" the male Elder from earlier rebuked, finally recovering from the shock.

"He must be another one of the Fortresses' preposterous projects. Those scoundrels never cease their despicable endeavors to expand their reach and power. This is most likely just another plot of theirs to eliminate us! This person poses a threat to the village!" He emphasized his concern greatly.

Huey maintained his composure, ignoring the ranting of the old man as he continued in a measured manner. "Years ago, I was involved in an accident that transported me to a different world," he explained calmly. "For seventy years, I fought and survived, tirelessly searching for a way back to Earth. This has nothing to do with the Fortresses, and furthermore, it has nothing to do with your long-lasting feud."

Carefully choosing his words, Huey omitted certain details about himself, aware of the potential vulnerability in revealing too much to his hostile audience. However, he recognized the importance of establishing a unique position among these people.

Acknowledging that the concept of being from a different world might seem farfetched to them, Huey remained resolute regardless. 

The Head regarded Huey's words with skepticism, taking them with a pinch of salt. "And do you expect us to believe what you say?" His azure eyes glowed with intensity. "How are we to say you really are not just another plot among the many the scums of the Fortresses have pulled?"

Huey remained unfaltering in his stance. "If I was, then you all would be dead already," he asserted calmly.

A wave of bloodlust emanated from the Elders present, with even Barack succumbing to its influence as their eyes glowed murderously at the object of their animosity. "You! How dare you?!" one of the Elders exclaimed, his voice thick with anger.

The village Head raised his arm to restrain his subjects and quell their outburst. 

A small, almost imperceptible amused smile played on his lips as he stared down at Huey's unwavering figure.

 "For a single man surrounded by potential enemies, your arrogance since you stepped into this room is baffling," he remarked, then his smile widened imto a grin. "I thought you were the one in need of help. Is that any way of treating us?"

Huey narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, the meaning behind the Head's words ringing clear as day: "Be careful what you do, we still have your friend," or something to that effect.

However, Huey had always been rebellious in nature, he was never one to succumb to threats or be pushed around, a trait ingrained in him since he was little. He would always pay back in kin with even more venom. 

Before Huey could retort, the Head continued, his smile vanishing to be replaced by the usual indifferent gaze, mirroring Huey's own. "Even if what you say is true, if you really aren't of the Domes but of the world beyond a Rift, then you'd pose an even greater threat than any Magic Knight or Elder God."

Huey grasped the implications behind the village Head's words. 'He's saying I'm not human.'

"You are far more suspicious and dangerous than any other," the Head continued, his eyes unkind and his words even more so. "A human who ventured into a world of Elder Gods, fought, and survived among them. I believe the Ntuli Tribe would be unintentionally doing the rest of mankind a favor by exterminating you here immediately."

Huey responded with a calm yet firm tone, causing the Elders and the Head to feel slighted by his choice of words. "I wouldn't advise you tried," he warned.

"Give us a reason not to," the Head retorted simply.

Huey shrugged nonchalantly, locking his stoic red eyes with the Head's unwavering gaze. "Needless bloodshed," he stated evenly. "Humanity, as I've heard, is already on a path of dwindling numbers. It would be a waste to further erase what remains of mankind. I'm not here for trouble or to start a fight. All I seek is guidance. I need to know what happened to my family."