Chapter 12 - HOME
Daniel left because Hale threatened the remaining prisoners.
He took Natsu believing only the dog could guide him through the avalanche tunnels.
He left a message:
I know this repeats the mistake. I’m sorry.
He understood that secret sacrifice was still betrayal.
We tracked them through independent teams.
At the mountain entrance, Hale held the collar plate against the archive door.
Daniel stood beside him.
Natsu waited between them.
Hale said:
“Tell him home.”
Daniel refused.
Hale threatened to collapse the prisoner tunnel.
Natsu looked at Daniel.
Then at the dark passage.
Daniel whispered:
“Home.”
The archive opened.
But Natsu did not move toward Hale.
He ran into the tunnel.
The command had never meant return to a handler.
It meant find survivors and lead them out.
One by one, missing soldiers emerged behind him.
Luke.
Claire’s former teammate.
Handlers declared dead years earlier.
The archive had mistaken loyalty for ownership.
Natsu understood purpose.
Then Hale detonated the outer supports.
May you like
The mountain began collapsing again.
Read Chapter 13 to learn who Natsu chose to save.
