Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: The Bandit’s Bargain

The energy signature Mia sensed belonged to a bandit gang—30 men and women, armed with guns and led by a woman named Raven. She had the Ability to manipulate shadows, and she'd set up a checkpoint a mile north of the ford, blocking the road with a pile of logs.When the convoy reached the checkpoint, Raven stepped forward, her shadow swirling around her. "Well, well," she said, grinning. "Look what we have here. A bunch of refugees, running from the Wraiths. How cute."Jax raised his shotgun. "Move the logs. We're passing through."Raven laughed. "Not so fast. You want to use our road? You pay the toll—half your supplies, or five of your civilians. Your choice."Elias stepped forward, his Leadership Aura flaring. "We're not giving you anything. This road doesn't belong to you."Raven's grin faded. "You're brave, kid. But bravery won't save you. My men outnumber yours, and my shadow magic can take down your little energy tricks. So make a choice—supplies, civilians, or blood."Elias glanced at his friends. Jax was ready to fight, his finger on the trigger. Mia's Danger Sense was screaming, warning him of an ambush—Raven had men hiding in the woods. Nova's hand was on her sword, her runes glowing. Lila stood behind them, her medical kit ready.He thought for a moment. Fighting would cost lives—civilians, Guard members, maybe even Leo. But giving in would set a dangerous precedent. Then, an idea hit him. "I'll make you a deal," he said. "We'll give you 20% of our supplies. In return, you let us pass, and you join us. New Eden needs fighters, and you need a safe place to stay. The Wraiths are getting stronger—you can't survive out here alone."Raven raised an eyebrow. "Join you? Why would I do that? I'm my own leader.""Because your gang is falling apart," Elias said, nodding at her men. "They're hungry, they're tired, and they're scared. New Eden has food, water, safety. You'll be a leader there—you'll have a purpose. Not just robbing people to survive."Raven hesitated, glancing at her men. They were staring at the convoy, their eyes filled with longing. One of them— a young boy, no older than 16—spoke up. "Raven, he's right. We're tired of running. We want a home."Raven sighed, her shadow magic fading. "Fine. 20% of your supplies, and I'm second-in-command of your fighters. Deal?"Elias smiled. "Deal. But if you betray us, I won't hesitate to take you down."Raven laughed. "Fair enough." She signaled to her men, who moved the logs. The convoy passed through the checkpoint, and Raven's gang joined them—loading their supplies into the trucks and climbing onto the buses. The young boy—his name was Finn—sat next to Leo, who shared his teddy bear with him.As the convoy continued north, Elias stood beside Mia, watching the mountains grow closer. "We made the right choice," he said.Elias agreed. Raven was a wild card—but she was also a fighter. And in this world, every fighter counted. The system pinged in his head.[System Notification: Host has Recruited a New Ally Faction. Reward: 300 System Points + Shadow Manipulation (Basic).]Elias smiled. He closed his eyes, feeling the new ability flow through him—faint, but there. Shadow Manipulation. It might just save their lives.The convoy rolled on, toward the mountains, toward New Eden, toward a future that was finally starting to feel possible. And Elias Voss—once a broken boy, hiding in an alley—was leading them there. One step at a time.