The Scavenger and Daniel, along with Pyros, went to the armoury. Pyros summoned three huge bags. They started to put the weapons in the bags, clearing the racks methodically. Arrows, grenades, armours... there was everything.
Daniel’s eyes widened. “Are we going to need all of that?”
The Scavenger nodded. “Trust me. We will.”
He continued to empty the armoury, helped by the others. Daniel was amazed at the capacity of the magical bags. The weapons seemed to just disappear inside them.
The Scavenger sent the bags to the Magic Compartment, and then they rejoined James in the control room.
“Let’s discuss our next move,” the Scavenger said. “To combine the two Pages of Destiny in the Book of the Universe at the Cotton Village Library.”
“We need to involve Archer, Daniel and Skazen, but they are guarding Flor and Cayden outside,” Pyros said. “How do we all discuss this together?”
James shook his head. “Frankly, I don’t want to involve Skazen in any plans. We have already suffered two bitter experiences. By the way, we also need to decide what to do with Flor and Cayden. We can’t just keep carrying them along wherever we go.”
“Good that you brought up this issue,” the Scavenger said. “We can’t leave them in the Brentinute or here at Pyros’s cave. We will have to think about a different solution.”
“I would suggest that we leave this issue for now,” Pyros said. “Just focus on how to combine the Pages. It won’t be easy. The Cotton Village Library is controlled by Osay.”
“Yes,” the Scavenger said. “Osay is smart. He knows that the Pages can be combined in the Book only at the Master Library at Cotton Village. Since he couldn’t get the Pages of Destiny, the Master Library is his last option. How do we go about it?”
James clicked his fingers. “How about the bookish way? I mean, if we take things head on by directly confronting Osay. Half of us will distract him, while the other half will rush inside the Library and combine the Pages. What else can we do? We can’t sneak in in the middle of the night or something. An all-out open attack, like the war with the Skull Warrior, seems to be the only option.”
“I don’t think so,” the Scavenger said. “We fought the Skull Warrior with many allies. The situation is different now. Osay has done the smart act of taking over the Castle of Fate. We won’t get many allies now.”
Pyros sighed in exasperation. “Listen, James! You can’t plan minutely in such a situation. Many things have to be left unplanned. I think we should just go with the flow.”
Suddenly, the Scavenger took out a small bell from his pocket. The bell was buzzing and ringing. The Scavenger stood up. “This is an SOS from Thomas! It seems that the Island of Humans is in danger. Everything else can wait. We need to go to the Island of Humans immediately.”
“I need to stay back to arrange logistics, contact the willing allies and get any information that can help us. Meanwhile, you all proceed to handle the crisis at the Island of Humans. I will join you midway,” Pyros said.
The Scavenger nodded in agreement.
“What about Flor and Cayden?” Archer asked.
“We can’t risk an attack from Osay’s men on Pyros’s cave. Osay will definitely try to rescue his men. It’s risky to leave them here. They are still unconscious. Let’s take them along.”
Everyone agreed.
Pyros bid them farewell. The group boarded the chariot and left for the Island of Humans.
13
After five hours, they emerged from the forest onto a seashore. The Scavenger looked at compasses and maps and then nodded.
While whispering some words, he pulled out a circular device and threw it into the sea.
“We need to wait. I have informed Thomas about our arrival.”
Soon, boats with familiar people on them came into sight.
Thomas greeted them.
The Scavenger said, “We rushed as soon as we got the SOS. I hope all is well at your end.”
“It’s not well, my friend. I will brief you in detail on the way. Let’s move,” Thomas said.
The Scavenger chanted a spell and their chariot disappeared.
The Scavenger and the children boarded a boat with Thomas, while Skazen, Cayden and Flor and Thomas’s guards boarded the other.
“A bizarre incident happened yesterday,” Thomas said to the Scavenger. “Two warriors on hounds came to our Island and gave us a scroll. The scroll had a declaration as per which we are termed as traitors in the Dark World for harbouring the prophesied children and the Scavenger. All humans have been asked to surrender before the Kings of Necron at the Castle of Fate within thirty days.”
“Warriors on hounds is a typical sign of Osay,” James whispered.
Thomas said, “Yes, it’s Osay. We resisted the Death Lord and the Skull Warrior when they wanted us to work for the evil side. Thanks to you people, since the time the Good Kingdom was ushered in, we were having a wonderful time on our Island. Now, everyone is again worried.”
The Scavenger said, “Don’t worry. We will stand by you till our last breath. Hopefully, we will find a way out of this situation.”
Thomas expressed gratitude towards the Scavenger.
After reaching the Island, the Scavenger called for a meeting with the people of the Island of Humans. Flor and Cayden were handed over to the guards and Skazen was assigned the task of keeping an eye on them.
The Scavenger then addressed the gathering from a stage. “Thomas informed us that you have decided not to leave the Island and surrender before Osay. Kudos to you all for such a brave decision in the face of the impending threat. You are not alone. We have decided to fight with you together, until our last breath.”
The gathering started to clap.
The Scavenger continued, “You must be wondering whether there is a solution. Can we defeat the powerful and cunning Osay, who has a large army and sophisticated weapons?
