"Adding time makes it longer," Tony muttered under his breath. But still, he had to do it the hard way.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, concern sparked a quiet conversation.
"We may need support. They've been out there too long," Yamin told Jasmine as the conversation started.
"The generals are there with them," Jasmine replied calmly. "I can assure you."
Yamin, eyes slightly narrowed, leaned back and said, "This is serious... Are there no apples here?"
He winked at her.
Jasmine smiled, shaking her head. "You and your funny jokes."
She paused, scanning the space around her.
"It's over then," she added softly, her voice distant.
But the curve of her lips said otherwise.
She had enjoyed it — to the fullest.
"Now I'm back to you. Would you like to join the search?" Jasmine asked, her voice softer than before.
"Yeah, yeah, I would like to," Yamin replied without hesitation. "I've already told you, Jasmine. I'm in."
Jasmine didn't respond immediately. Her gaze wandered off for a second, then returned to Yamin.
"There may be danger out there," she said quietly. "I'm afraid something will happen to you."
She paused, and her voice trembled slightly.
"We've already lost Daddy… and I can't afford to lose you too."
The weight of her words settled in the air.
Yamin took a breath and stepped a little closer.
"Jas… I'm not a child anymore," she said, her tone calm but firm. "I can take care of myself now."
She placed a hand on her chest.
"In addition to that, I fight with the sword. You've seen me."
Jasmine gave her a small look, half teasing, half serious.
"Do you fight with arrows too?"
Yamin grinned.
"Yeah, well… that would be a tragedy."
She laughed.
"Quiver, arrows, and bows? I've kind of forgotten how to use them."
Jasmine squinted at her, clearly not buying it.
"Wait—did you ever train with arrows?"
"Yes! I did, please," Yamin said, defending herself with a playful tone. "While you were away. I took lessons."
Jasmine blinked.
"Are you sure?"
Her eyebrows raised.
"Because I don't remember being gone that long. It was just, erh…"
She paused, fingers tapping her arm.
"I can't recall, actually."
Yamin smirked.
"Exactly. So don't doubt me."
The two girls locked eyes for a moment — a quiet understanding between them, deeper than just words.
The room around them was still, but something was shifting in the air. Not just the mission ahead… but between them too.
Yamin added, "Yeah, that's right. Those days were enough to train with arrows."
"Yeah, that's also just right... but not to hit a target," Jasmine replied with a sly grin.
Jasmine looked at her. "I got you right."
"Yeah, that's also just right," Yamin said playfully, giggling under her breath.
It was turning into an interesting conversation.
Meanwhile...
Going out with a bandit, a criminal, someone with a prison record — Tony couldn't believe this was his life. He just wanted freedom. He wanted to be out of that cave, to live a life without hiding.
He waited for the right time.
That night, as the others slept, he tiptoed quietly to the stone pillars near the mouth of the cave. A mysterious covering blocked the exit. It had a lever attached to it — the only way out.
But pulling it would make a noise... and risk waking them all.
He stared at the lever.
Bravery or silence?
He chose bravery.
Tony took a deep breath and pulled the lever.
The stone covering groaned, shifting with a loud, slow creak.
The sound echoed.
It woke Gabby.
She had slept like someone with half a brain alert — and her favorite sword always lay close by. It was a gift from her grandmother. Though she rarely used it, she loved it. She even named it "Adorn 85."
Her usual sword wasn't nearby — so off she went, carrying the cherished blade, silent as a shadow. She walked carefully toward the mouth of the cave. The light flickered — kerosene running low.
Tony heard the faint shhhk of a sword being unsheathed.
A blade pressed toward him.
"Who are you?" Gabby demanded, her voice cold and steady.
Tony froze. Hands raised slowly, he turned around... eyes locking with hers.
Gabby lowered her sword the moment she recognized him. Her posture softened, and a bit of shyness crossed her face.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to—"
Tony interrupted gently, "It's all right."
He looked past her into the darkness.
"It's dangerous out there. Are you sure you'd want to step outside?"
By now, the cold breeze from the forest had found its way through the open door, filling the room with a sudden chill. The air froze.
Tony stood quietly, barely moving.
"Is something bothering you?" Gabby asked, her voice soft and caring. Her eyes scanned his face, then wandered around the room.
Then she noticed it.
"Where did you get that from?" she asked, surprised to see him holding a sword.
Tony deliberately touched it. His fingers slid along the hilt as he slowly began to unsheath it.
"I took it from your—"
Before he could finish, he pointed the sword at her.
It wasn't to harm her — he just couldn't wait any longer.
Their eyes met. A heavy silence passed between them.
Then, suddenly, he dropped the sword.
With a sharp breath, he turned and ran — straight through the open door and into the forest beyond.
Gabby stood frozen. Shock washed over her.
"What's happening here?" she whispered to herself.
She blinked, then moved quickly to follow — but not before turning back.
The cave's entrance — the heavy stone cover — was still open.
She couldn't leave it like that.
Without hesitation, she did what had to be done. She pulled it as far shut as she could manage.
But time was slipping.
Would she reach Tony in time?
What would she find out there?