The late afternoon sun dipped low in the sky, casting golden streaks through the gaps in the wooden structures of the settlement. The simple wooden structure serving as their settlement’s shop had become the unofficial gathering point for all announcements. Hushed voices filled the air, thick with tension, as people waited for the man they all knew would speak.


    Ezekiel stood on the wooden steps of the shop, a broad smile stretched across his face as he raised his arms in greeting, the low hum of murmurs falling silent with that simple gesture. Hellen stood near the edge of the crowd, arms crossed, jaw tight, and her eyes fixed on him. Not with reverence like some of the others, but with a simmering, calculating disdain.


    Ezekiel’s voice rang out, practiced and confident. From what she found out, it was due to years of preaching in churches and on television screens. "My dear friends," he began, his voice swelling with mock warmth, "I understand your fear, your worries, but you must cast them aside, we need not fear the words delivered to us today by the messenger of God''s will. Rest assured that as long as you follow my guidance, we shall weather these trials. For we are not alone. We are held safely and are protected in the hands of the Lord... and in mine." That line drew quiet murmurs of agreement from some, others simply looked at each other in thoughtful silence. But to Hellen, it felt like nails dragging across stone.


    Her gaze shifted to the three men standing beside Ezekiel, just off his right shoulder like sentinels. Francis stood front and center, easily towering over most at nearly two meters tall. His thick, bushy beard and axe perpetually slung over his shoulder gave him the look of a man born to fell trees or foes alike. He was the one Ezekiel relied most on, to keep order and control, as he was the highest level individual in the settlement.


    To his right stood Dan, the former bouncer. Broad-shouldered, with a sword strapped to his waist and a metal shield across his arm, he had the build of someone used to dealing with trouble by slamming it through walls. On Francis’ other side was Benjamin, the former high school teacher whose fire magic had earned him both respect and fear. Rumor had it he’d been under investigation for something deeply distasteful before the world changed. Whether the allegations were true or not, it did not matter, he fit in too well with Ezekiel’s growing cult of power for anyone to really say anything.


    Hellen’s jaw clenched even harder. These three men were one of the reasons no one questioned Ezekiel much in the beginning, and did not dare to do so especially now. Their party had been the one that had taken down the beast that was mentioned in the quest, the same one that had rewarded them with the settlement. They''d also remained the primary protectors ever since. You couldn''t say much when the bed, four walls, and roof over your head were all thanks to them fighting, and killing a monster you were too scared to even get close to.


    They were also the ones that led the hunting, defending, and by Ezekiel’s command, some subtle spying. By taking advantage of the system''s party function and experience points distribution. Ezekiel had ensured he and they always got the lion''s share of the experience and outpaced everyone else in strength.


    This created an uncomfortable power dynamic that Ezekiel masterfully exploited to continue cementing his position as the undisputed leader. Nobody openly challenged him anymore, either out of genuine loyalty or simply self-preservation. It was a growing fear that was spread to every corner of the small 36-person community. It reached even the most mundane of interactions. But in the end, the fear of the outside being greater than the one within.


    Hellen''s stomach twisted with a mixture of dread and anger as Ezekiel continued. His voice droned on, delivering empty reassurances sprinkled with self-aggrandizing comparisons to figures of authority. Her distaste deepened every time she noticed the gleam of satisfaction in his eyes whenever he effortlessly swayed the crowd. She was one of the few left who saw through his manipulations, yet speaking openly had become dangerous. Ezekiel had begun implementing new rules, subtle at first, starting with ones everyone agreed on, like not stealing. But as time went on, they were becoming increasingly oppressive, and anyone seen opposing him was quickly alienated or worse.


    The man had become more than a simple preacher, who was pretending to aid those who suffered after the end of the world. He was starting to think of himself as some sort of a ruler.


    Hellen could feel the oppressive weight of his gaze occasionally settle on her, a possessive glint lingering there longer than it should. It had reached a point where other men avoided speaking with her altogether, frightened of drawing Ezekiel''s ire. She resented him for it, resented feeling like an object he sought to claim. More than that, she feared for Anna, who had begun to draw more of both Ezekiel''s and worse Benjamin''s attention as well.


    “Remember,” Ezekiel continued, his voice booming confidently, “ These territorial events, as well as the arrival of stronger monsters or demons, are nothing more than simply further tests. Tests we will overcome together. United under my guidance, under divine providence, we shall emerge victorious.”


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    As Ezekiel launched into a grand speech about divine trials and sacred protection, Hellen looked to her left and found comfort in June’s presence. The younger short-haired woman stood still, silent but alert, her eyes not on Ezekiel but curiously scanning the crowd. When June’s gaze met hers, Hellen reached out and squeezed her hand gently. June returned it with a nod and a slight smile.


    Then Hellen turned away. She weaved out of the crowd, as quiet and unnoticed as she could amid the growing spell of Ezekiel’s voice. Most people were too focused on the fire and brimstone, too wrapped in the comfort of certainty, no matter how false, to notice her departure.


    She soon reached her home and went inside, closing the door behind her. The familiar wooden walls and stone floor greeted her. Anna sat quietly on her bed, clutching something in her hands. It was one of Francis’ carvings, an animal figurine, shaped with care and painted with charcoal. The last time he’d come by with a load of logs, he’d handed it to her with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.


    When she looked up, there was hesitation in her voice. "Do we really have to leave?" Hellen stepped forward quickly, putting a finger to her lips. "Shh. Not so loud."


    Without further hesitation, Hellen hastily moved to and reached under her bed, retrieving a hidden cloth-wrapped bundle. Quickly, she unwrapped it, inspecting its contents, a water flask, several pieces of cooked meat, and a wooden-handled dagger. It had been risky to steal the dagger, but ultimately necessary.


    "Yes," Hellen said quietly but firmly, rewrapping the bundle and slinging the strap over her shoulder like a purse. "We have to leave." Anna’s face dropped. Hellen sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around the girl’s shoulders. "It’s no longer safe for us here. Not really. There’s no one to call for help, no cops to complain to. No laws protecting people like us." Anna didn’t respond. Her gaze stayed locked on the figurine.


    Hellen continued. "Ezekiel… he’s only playing nice because he wants to win us over. But sooner or later, he’ll stop playing. And when that happens, there’ll be no one to stop him. Francis might not help him, but those other two? They’ll do whatever he asks."


    The words hung heavy in the air. "This new notification? The one about territories, monsters, and claiming land? It’s an excuse waiting to be used. If he ever actually claims any land, it will only give Ezekiel even more reasons to lord over everyone. To say he’s protecting us from the monsters. To act like a king or something worse."


    Anna looked up. Her voice was small but resolute. "Okay." That word struck Hellen harder than she expected. A surge of guilt and sadness welled in her chest. She pulled Anna into a tighter hug. "It’ll be alright. I promise. I’ll always be with you. We’ll make it through this."


    The light outside began to dim, shadows stretching across the floor as the sun dipped further behind the horizon. Through the small wooden window, Ezekiel’s voice still carried, rising in volume and passion. Hellen stood, releasing Anna gently. "It’s time." Anna simply responded by nodding, not saying anything.


    Hellen crossed to the far wall of the house, the one that faced the grasslands, away from the crowd. Several planks near the base were already loose, a secret she and June had prepared together days ago. She removed the boards quickly, and carefully, then stacked them to the side without a sound. She gestured for Anna to go first.


    The young girl ducked through the hole and disappeared into the outside air. Hellen quickly placed the supplies outside, then followed after. Once outside, she crouched and replaced the boards as best she could. Finished she then slung the packed supplies over her shoulder.


    The sun had nearly vanished by then, the sky stained with violet and deepening blues. A gentle breeze swept through the grass, rustling the stalks like whispered encouragement.


    Covered by the structure and the natural fading light, the two of them moved quickly into the grasslands. Behind them, Ezekiel’s sermon and the discussions grew fainter, the people too transfixed to notice two missing souls as darkness enveloped the horizon. The moons rose slowly, their gentle glow guiding them deeper into the unknown.


    They didn’t speak much. Hellen checked on Anna frequently, offering water and quiet encouragement. The girl never complained, though her steps began to drag as the hours wore on.


    Eventually, they pivoted slightly to the right, heading further into that area of the grasslands, where Hellen remembered a river was rumored to flow into the forest from the grasslands. It wasn''t long before, somewhere in the dark, the soft sound of flowing water reached her ears. The welcome sound lifting their spirits as they pushed forward.


    After another stretch of weary walking, the river came into view. A wide, steady stream winding through the grass like a thread of ethereal colors under the moonlights. Hellen approached it cautiously, eyes scanning for any danger, but finding only the gentle, shimmering surface of the river. She then crouched beside the river bank, running her hand through the relaxing water. She could feel the current, slow but firm. It ran deeper than it appeared at first glance.


    Anna knelt beside her, mirroring the movement. Her reflection shimmered beside Hellen’s. “Do you think it leads somewhere safe?” Anna asked quietly, eyes fixed anxiously on the flowing water. “I hope so,” Hellen replied gently, squeezing Anna’s hand reassuringly. “But no matter what, we''re safer here, away from Ezekiel.”


    Hopefully, if it flowed into the forest, then maybe, just maybe, it came from somewhere safer. Somewhere untouched. Hellen stood and took Anna’s hand. “Let’s follow it.”


    Together, they continued to follow the river upstream, deeper into the heart of the grasslands, guided only by the silent whispers of the wind and the distant glow of moonlight, each step bringing them further from the settlement and into the dark unknown.