5| The Shadow of Coralline Part-2 "The Darkness Revealed"

Lirien's heart raced as she shouted, "This gentleman is a spy of Arinthal! Grab him, he is a villain!" The crowd fell silent, horror struck, with all eyes on the accused. Lirien's words a bridge of convecition that spanned the chasm of doubt, leaving everyone quite astonished.

Eryndor knew well that she was decoying to trap the men among them who were working for Arinthal. A ray of hope sprout as one of them stepped forward, his voice grinned with inquiry, "How have you come to know?" Lirien's eyes lit up with triumph – it was him, the Arinthal agent. "I saw him handing a map to Arinthal" Lirien exclaimed.

But another voice, "Who knew it well?" added another upset and turmoil. The situation teetered on the brink of collapse. Just as all seemed lost, another voice intervened, revealing two burly figures who pushed Eryndor to the ground with his full might. Grunts and groans filled the air as the three towering fingers grappled, arms locked in a fierce struggle to overcome one another.

Eryndor's expectations shattered as he was punched and kicked with full force. A half nelson around his neck made him gasp for air. He lost his energy to avoid the strength facing an onrush of assault.

His heavy boots were stabbed in Eryndor's belly, hit him hard. Eryndor responded and tried to smash his fade, but saved.

The conflict was too emphemral that noboday dared come near. All of a sudden, just as a stone was about to be thrown at his chest, the sound of a trigger stopped the attacker. The guards intervened, saving Eryndor from further irrevocable harm, even then he was badly injured. He was rushed to the clinic near Arinthal's hut, all his body battered and bruised. His shirt front was torn into pieces.

When he reached the clinic he was just alive. There was a lot of stains of blood about on his muddy clothes and he was in a very precarious state.

The next day, while lying in bed, Eryndor overheard laborers whispering about Arinthal's men. "How did he beat them?" They were curious about the reason behind the fights and Lirien's accusations. Eryndor's mind raced with the implications and what's next about. After receiving stitches and dressing, he was allowed to return to his cell. However, he struggled to sleep the whole night due to the pain of his injured ribs. The next he lay the entire day in bed, lost in thought.

Arinthal warned the men to avoid such conflicts without solid proof, implying severe consequences next time, so they must keep their emotions in check. Eryndor resumed his labour work , and the culprits glared at him ferociously, their anger and shame were palpable.

Eryndor's ability to walk among them, unbroken and unafraid, only fueled their frustration. With a warm smile, Eryndor approached them and said, "I hold no grudge against you. You're good people with kind hearts, and I respect you a lot." His genuine affection left them stunned and astonished. So curious and surprised were they.

One of them, Steve, retorted, "We're all in the same boat." Eryndor nodded, "Yes, the same boat. We belong to those who sacrifice their lives for others, as human beings." But George, another labourer, scoffed, "We're not human beings at all! Look at how Arinthal treats us! We're nothing but mere beasts!"

Steve belonged to Coralline since his childhoold. His father died at his early age, and then Steve had to look after the family. Though he had a good heart, he had to work for Arinthal for his family.

Eryndor knew that Steve and George were part of Arinthal's group, but Andrew, the third man who had beaten him, was not. Eryndor hoped to appeal to their qualms of conscience, to improve the situation for all the victims. Later, Andrew confided in Lirien, who convinced him of Eryndor's innocence.

Now, Eryndor had gained two informants, Steve and George, who would report back to him about the victims' activities and any theft of stones if anyone did, potentially undermining Arinthal's control.

Eryndor sat alone, lost in thought, his mind consumed by rumination. George passed by, then stopped and approached him. Offering Eryndor a smoke, George sought to make amends. Eryndor smiled, opening his heart to George, and began to speak about the ravages and destruction that had ravaged Coralline.

He expressed his keen desire to save the island, revealing the irreparable damage Arinthal's actions had already caused to the habitats. Eryndor warned George that if Arinthal continued his destructive path, Coralline would become a desolate, haunted place, inhabited only by spirits and devils.

George asked Eryndor, "How can you save Coralline?" Eryndor's eyes sparkled with hope as he shared his vision. "Imagine a paradise where birds sing sweet melodies, animals roam free, and brooks run clear. Tall pines stretch towards the buue depth of sky, their branches entwined with wild creepers. Where the sun rose higher and all the flesh and animals enrich their lives.

The vivid image took root in George's mind, and he began to envision a better future. "But how can we make this happen?" he wondered, his mind racing with possibilities. As a local who had lived on the island with his family before Arinthal's arrival, George was cautious yet intrigued by Eryndor's words.

However, he was bound to Arinthal's men, forced to work for them to ensure his family's safety. His family had been captured, and he still didn't know where they were being held. This was a crucial revelation for Eryndor, who had found the perfect ally for his perilous plan.

Lirien was absent from work that day, having been taken to Arinthal's hut. When she returned, she was drunk and exhausted, bearing the trauma of her experience. Eryndor's eyes narrowed, his determination growing stronger. He knew he had to act soon to free Lirien, George's family, and the entire island from Arinthal's grasp. George had been working for Arinthal since his family was hostaged by Arinthal. George was fine man but Arinthal made him so cruel and stubbon

Eryndor took George aside and urged him to think of Lirien, his children, and his wife. George grasped the gravity of the situation for a moment or so and steeled himself for what was to come. Eryndor, sensing George's resolve, revealed his perilous plan, risking his own life by sharing the details. Initially, George was horrified, struggling to comprehend the audacity of Eryndor's words.

As Eryndor shared experience of his own family and the cherished moments they had shared, George's skepticism gradually dissolved and gave way to a strong conviction. His intime motivation sparked a newfound sense of purpose and expectation, revitalizing his spirit and illuminating a clear path forward.

George's expression transformed from shock to calm determination as he listened to Eryndor intently. George's initial reluctance was replaced by a steadfast resolve to persuade Steve also to join their perilous mission. 

"Excellent!" Eryndor thought, as his plan began to take shape. Steve and George had a strong bond, having shared good times in the past. However, Steve was reluctant and not willing to work for the island.

The only hurdle was that they hadn't had a chance to discuss their strategy together. However, Eryndor's persistent persuasion made it clear that they would stop at nothing to restore Corallina's originality. Steve was still wavering to make the final decison.  

Lirien eagerly awaited the plan's unfolding, hoping to get rid herself of Arinthal and his lecherous cohorts as early as possible. One day, Eryndor seized the opportunity to share his secret plan and strategy with George and Steve, but the risks were too great, it was to put their lives in jeopardy. Both of them unaware about Lirein's mission.

Steve's lust for money worked and feigned loyalty to Eryndor while secretly revealing his plan to Arinthal , putting himself in a precarious position. His voice trembled slightly as he betrayed Eryndor's trust, sharing the secret plan with Arinthal in a hushed, conspiratorial tone and got the reward of his loyalty.

George and Anderson, familiar with dynamite from their work in the mines, managed to steal some with relative ease. However, they were constantly surveilled by Arinthal's men, making their task precarious and impossible but their determination brought them successful. 

Eryndor tasked them with get dynamite whenever possible and asked Anderson to get a revolver during his next visit to Arinthal's hut. Additionally, they were to gather intelligence on their activities on the island. Eryndor warned them of the plan's extreme danger so that they needed extreme vigilence, but once they obtained weapons and dynamite, he would reveal further details.

Despite the risks, they successfully planted dynamite in the mines, carefully concealing some while leaving others in plain sight as decoys. As they were drilling new holes for additional dynamite, they discreetly collected the previously placed explosives easily. Meanwhile, Lirien's visit to Arinthal proved fortuitous, allowing her to glean valuable information about his further operations.

The team faced a new challenge: acquiring a revolver without arousing suspicion and losing any life. George took on this task, targeting one of the guards, David, who was secretly sympathetic to their cause. George confided in David, persuading him to abandon his risky allegiance to Arinthal and join their valued mission to protect the innocent.

Steve betrayed Aryndor's trust, deceiving him by revealing the plan to Arinthal in exchange for more dollars. Keeping the potential threat in view, Arinthal, alerted and ordered his men to seize Aryndor, George, and Anderson immediately. However, Aryndor had already set his plan in motion, and the trio had taken action. Meanwhile, Lirien had secretly concealed a sharp shard of mirror in her bra, preparing to use it as a last resort for self-defense in Arinthal's bedroom. 

Before Arinthal could take action against George and Eryndor, Lirien arrived and beguiled him with her charms. Arinthal, entranced by her flirtations, was completely absorbed in the moment. Lirien, desperatedly, struggled against her restraints, injuring herself with a sharp mirror edge. 

Eryndor finalized the plan with George to overpower the guard at one site, while Eryndor, with Anderson's help, would simultaneously control the situation at another location.

When the critical moment arrived, the outcome was unexpectedly decisive. As Eryndor and George attempted to overpower the security guard, the other workers rallied around them, and the guard was quickly overwhelmed by the mob. He surrendered helplessly, and the worker shouted victory. 

The guard's arms fell limp, his rifle slipping from his grasp as the workers closed in. Cheers erupted from the crowd as they surged forward, their triumphant zeal and shouts echoing through the air..

As the news spread the workers rallied the office where currupt officers were got drunk in the company of two women. They tried to resist but their condition didn't assist them to move. So they easily surrendered and women run away. David had taken charge, and the security guards made no resistance. The mob seized the weapons and arrested all the corrupt officers present in the hut.

Arinthal attempted to escape, using Lirien as a hostage. Eryndor sensed something was amiss, rushed to the beach, where the boat was ready to sail. He arrived with Anderson, but Arinthal warned them to stay back, threatening to shoot Lirien if they approached. Eryndor was hit in the shoulder, but the workers reacted swiftly, shooting Arinthal's hand and sending his revolver flying into the sea.

As the chaos intensified, Eryndor and Arinthal engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand combat, exchanging blows and butting heads. Lirien fell to the ground, but Anderson rescued her. During her visit to Arinthal she got hurt her arm with the sharp shard of mirror. The mob overpowered Arinthal, who begged for mercy as he was subdued.

Arinthal received the news of revolt attempted to escape, using Lirien as a hostage. Eryndor sensed something was amiss and rushed to the beach, where the boat was ready to sail. He arrived with Anderson, but Arinthal warned them to stay back, threatening to shoot Lirien if they approached. Lirien, desperate to escape, struggled against her restraints, injuring herself with a sharp mirror edge.

As the zealous workers pinned Arinthal to the ground helplessly, Eryndor stood over him eracted, his shoulder throbbing in pain. Lirien, now safe in Anderson's arms, gazed up at Eryndor with a mix of fear and gratitude.

The air was thick with tension, the only sound the heavy breathing of the combatants. Eryndor's eyes locked onto Arinthal, his expression a fierce mask. "Why?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. Arinthal's eyes darted wildly, searching for an escape, but finding none.

"You'll never stop the revolution," he spat, his voice trembling. Eryndor's grip on Arinthal's throat tightened. "I won't let you be detriment innocent lives," he snarled, his anger boiling over.