Chapter 29: Fifteen Minutes

"Excuse me, Sir, but I'm still unclear on why we're allowing someone who isn't part of our group to be involved in this matter," the young man spoke up with evident displeasure. He had short, neatly trimmed brown hair, piercing azure eyes, and stood at a height of 172cm. He directed a pointed glare at Huey, gesturing accusatorily with his finger.

The commanding warrior leading the briefing, second only to the Elder in authority, bristled at the blatant insubordination from his subordinate. Despite his irritation, he managed to suppress his anger and overlook the interruption for the moment. 

"I comprehend the sentiments of many here, but it's imperative to note that this decision was endorsed by the Head and the Council," he stated, gesturing lightly towards the Elder seated on his left, whose steady gaze and silence affirmed his agreement.

The young man shifted his gaze towards Huey, his expression now tinged with an air of indifference as he continued to address the room. "Let's not forget that even our Chief Guard, Barak, attested to his capabilities. He's the one who faced Barak head-on at full strength... and emerged unscathed," he remarked, his tone carrying a hint of resignation. He listened as gasps and wary murmurs rippled through the assembled group, their disbelief palpable.

Meanwhile, Tyla, the silver-haired woman, maintained a composed silence, her aloof demeanor masking a storm of emotions raging within. Pretending to study the map before her, she suppressed any hint of turmoil from betraying itself on her face.

"Regarding the outsider from the Surface," the young man interjected with a cold warning, his voice cutting through the murmurs and discontent of his comrades. "You've all been cautioned against displaying overt hostility towards our guest." His words carried a weighty admonition, quelling the murmurs and restoring a semblance of order among his men.

He empathized with the undercurrent of discontent and acknowledged that their simmering bloodlust was not entirely baseless. However, he emphasized the necessity of setting aside all grudges and grievances for the impending raid. Throughout his time among the Tribe, Huey had repeatedly emphasized that any direct hostility or threat against him would be met with swift and equal retaliation. Barak had reinforced this message tirelessly, ensuring that it was ingrained in the minds of both guards and warriors.

For now, Huey existed among them as a guest, an enigmatic figure beyond their reach. Many among them puzzled over the circumstances that had led to this uneasy arrangement, their understanding of the situation limited. Yet, they remained steadfast in their obedience to the directives of the council and the chief guard.

Though their brows furrowed and tongues clicked in disapproval, the members refrained from overt displays of hostility, opting instead to glare from a distance. Sensing the need to proceed, the young man pressed on with the briefing, leaving the tension hanging in the air like a heavy shroud.

"This man will accompany us on our raid against the Den," the young man declared firmly, his voice cutting through the tension in the room. "He will be tasked with eliminating the Boss, should such a figure exist. Until then, our priority is to provide unwavering support and deal with any lesser threats. Let me make this abundantly clear: no one is to entertain any notions of disobedience or insubordination. Follow orders, mine, it die trying. "

The fifteen warriors assembled before him were among the finest fighters the Ntuli Tribe possessed, and they were fully committed to the total annihilation of the Den and its alleged leader. Even if it meant enlisting the aid of an Outsider, no expense would be spared in achieving their objective.

However, for Huey, this alliance was purely pragmatic. It was merely a means to an end—a way to rid the Ntuli Tribe of a persistent nuisance in exchange for valuable information. And that nuisance happened to be an entire Den, according to reports.

Internally, Huey cursed his luck. "I only asked for directions, dammit," he muttered under his breath, concealing his frustration beneath a mask of nonchalance as he observed the warriors begin to bicker and formulate their plan of attack.

"We will depart in fifteen minutes. Use this time to prepare," the young leader announced briskly, ending the briefing without waiting for Huey to voice any objections. With a terse dismissal, the group of warriors dispersed, each retreating to their own preparations for the upcoming battle.

Once again, Huey found himself with nothing to occupy his time. The guards who had been flanking him during the briefing were now absent, as the nature of the debriefing was classified. Left to his own devices, Huey pondered his next move.

Deciding to seek out Professor Hathaway once more, Huey set off in search of the knowledgeable scholar.

"Warrior of the walls, may I have a bit of your time?" Before he could, however, the even voice of the Elder reached his ears and he turned his head towards him.

As the last echoes of the Elder's voice faded, Huey and the elderly man found themselves alone in the now empty briefing room. With a hint of caution in his tone, Huey inquired, "What is it?" keeping a measured distance between them.

The Elder approached slowly, his gaze unwavering as he posed a peculiar question. "I was just curious. How does a man survive among monsters and retain their humanity?"

Huey pondered the question for a moment, searching for the deeper meaning behind the Elder's words. After a brief pause, he averted his gaze and turned to leave, his voice tinged with resignation. "You don't."

With those final words hanging in the air, Huey departed, leaving the Elder to contemplate the weight of his inquiry in the silent confines of the empty room.

Five minutes before the commencement of the subjugation, Huey arrived at the designated meeting point alongside the other warriors. The location marked the border to one of the last districts yet to be besieged and plundered by the ever-expanding Den. As they converged, the surroundings bristled with various barricades and defensive structures, testament to the imminent clash.

With a sense of purpose, the group gathered, taking a final inventory of their equipment and steeling their minds for the impending battle. Amidst the flurry of activity, Huey remained stoic, his expression betraying nothing as he leaned casually against a nearby wall, his arms folded protectively around the long, black blade at his side.

To him, it was the only weapon he needed. 

Sensing a presence approaching him, Huey opened his eyes and raised his gaze to meet the figure before him. It was Barak, towering and imposing, with a fiery grin spreading across his face. Huey's reaction was immediate—he frowned, his distaste for the grin barely concealed beneath his stoic demeanor.

"What do you want?" he asked curtly, his tone tinged with irritation.

Barak's grin only widened in response. "I'm just here to express my excitement at the prospect of battling by your side," he declared, his voice filled with a mix of enthusiasm and anticipation. "And then, of course, facing you in combat once more. The wounds you inflicted upon me still throb with every heartbeat, and the memory of our last clash stirs a fire within me unlike any other."

As he spoke, Barak gestured casually, his arm sweeping across his bare torso, where bandages concealed the remnants of his injuries. Huey's sword had left its mark deep within him, a wound unlike any other he had ever suffered. Yet, far from being deterred, the native warrior found himself exhilarated by the prospect of facing Huey once more, his adrenaline surging at the mere thought of their impending duel.

"You want to fight me?" Huey furrowed his brows, his tone incredulous, as he sought clarification from Barak. The warrior's response was a booming laughter that echoed through the vicinity, drawing the eyes and attention of those nearby.

"First, we'll both have to survive the expedition," Barak replied between chuckles, his amusement evident. "I have no intention of challenging you or resorting to underhanded tactics during our mission. All I desire is a clean and fair fight—a true test of strength, with no holds barred."

Huey's response was immediate and unequivocal. "No way. I refuse," he declared, his exasperation evident as he waved off the proposition with a dismissive gesture. "I have no interest in fighting you again. It sounds like a hassle. Shoo, shoo," he added, shooing away the imposing warrior.

Barak's laughter only intensified at Huey's refusal, his booming voice managing to grate on Huey's nerves despite the distance between them. 

"I believe you have been told what to expect today. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?" Barak's tone shifted to one of seriousness as he broached the topic with Huey.

Recomposing his mask of indifference, Huey responded honestly, his voice carrying a hint of boldness. "There are too many liabilities. I could handle this alone. The rest of you would only hold me back," he stated bluntly, disregarding the reproachful gazes and curses directed his way by the group.

Despite the scornful reactions from their comrades, Barak pondered Huey's words earnestly. He didn't dismiss them as mere arrogance, especially considering their source. Barak was a man who valued strength above all else, regardless of who wielded it. And in Huey, he saw a formidable force worthy of respect.

While others may have interpreted Huey's statement as hubris, Barak recognized it as a testament to his confidence and self-assurance. In his eyes, Huey's assertion only served to elevate his esteem for the enigmatic warrior.

"Hmm. Even if you say so, we can't just let you go in on your own. This is, after all, our problem as well," Barak responded calmly, acknowledging Huey's disdain for the notion of shared responsibility.

Huey scoffed inwardly at the idea of collective ownership over their troubles. Had they not realized they were essentially relying on him as their trump card for victory?

"...Do as you wish," Huey shrugged dismissively, signaling the end of the conversation as he closed his eyes once more.

Barak's decision to join the raid caught some of the members off guard. Despite his grave injuries, the brawny warrior's determination to participate only served to ignite their spirits further. With the addition of a few more warriors brought by Barak, their numbers swelled to twenty-two, including Huey and Barak himself.

It was a sizable party, even by Den standards. Barak's fervor for the battle was evident, though he couldn't help but wish for even more reinforcements. However, the need to leave a sufficient number of warriors behind to defend the village tempered his desire to bolster their ranks further.

As the hands of time drew nearer, each member of the group resolved themselves in their own way. With determination in their hearts, the large party ventured into the tunnels, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.