The night sky above Nhlangano was streaked with purple clouds, still faintly lit from distant lightning. Muzi and Sphilile stood at the edge of an old scrapyard, the sharp smell of oil and rust in the air. Broken cars, burnt-out trucks, and bent metal sheets formed a kind of labyrinth around them.
It was the location mentioned in the encoded message Banele left behind before vanishing:
"Wait for Gold. Junkyard. Midnight."
They weren't alone.
Three more survivors had arrived — two men and one woman, all bruised and tired, watching the shadows like hunted prey. No one spoke much. Just exchanged nods, weapons close, backs to the walls.
Suddenly, a hum filled the air — low and cold, like electricity riding on the wind. A motorcycle rumbled in from the darkness, then another.
The Gold Rank had arrived.
The first to dismount was a man in his early thirties, lean but strong, wearing a dark trench coat with gold chains hanging at his sides. His presence silenced the scrapyard. His eyes scanned everyone with military calm.
"Sbonelo," someone whispered.
The second was a woman wrapped in a long black coat, gold lining stitched into the seams. Her short hair was shaved into patterns on the side, her makeup sharp, almost tribal. She moved like smoke — smooth, dangerous.
That was Shlelelwe.
"Who's in charge now?" one of the survivors muttered.
"They are."
Sbonelo stepped forward, pulling off his gloves with practiced patience. "You've all seen the blood. The chaos. The betrayal."
Muzi's eyes narrowed. Betrayal?
Shlelelwe spoke next, voice like a blade. "That wasn't just an ambush. Someone on the inside gave them our location. A rat. And rats don't last long."
> [System Notification: Sub-Objective Added – Identify the Traitor]
"We're Gold Rank," Sbonelo continued. "That means we answer to the Bosses directly. And right now, they want answers. You all are going to help us find them. But first…"
He motioned to a cracked shipping container that had been converted into a temporary safe house. "Inside. Food. First aid. After that, we debrief."
---
Muzi followed Sphilile into the container. Inside was bare but clean — bandages, stale bread, bottled water, and a dusty mattress. He patched up a gash on his arm, eyes flicking to the entrance where Sbonelo stood talking in low tones to one of the men.
> [Spiritual Flow Stabilized – 10%]
[Bangani Link: Sphilile – Holding Steady]
Sphilile handed Muzi a piece of bread and sat beside him, shoulder brushing his lightly.
"You think it's true?" she asked. "Someone betrayed us?"
Muzi nodded slowly. "The way they moved… it was too clean."
She clenched her fists. "Then we need to find out who."
> [Bond Trait Activated: Shared Purpose – +1% Energy Recovery When Near Sphilile]
From outside, Shlelelwe's voice rang out: "Debrief starts now. Move."
Muzi stood, tucking his pistol into his waistband. As they stepped out into the cool night again, he felt it.
This wasn't just survival anymore.
This was war.
---