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''I love you, brother.'' 

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THE SUN BEAT down heavily as we reached the top of the worn stone staircase, the heat seeming to intensify with every step. My boots scuffed against the weathered rock, the dust clinging to the air making it harder to breathe. 

As we reached the summit, Sarah let out a breath and asked, ''What now?'' 

Rafe exhaled sharply, practically thrusting the scroll toward John B. ''I can't read this shit. Go for it,'' he muttered before removing the lens he had been carrying. ''Here. You need this.''

John B took the scroll and lens without a word, unfurling the map carefully and laying it across a flat rock nearby.

Sarah leaned closer, her brow furrowed as her eyes scanned the surface. ''Okay, let's figure this out,'' she urged.

Rafe, clearly impatient, leaned over and pointed at the map. ''Look, follow the line, bring it to your eye,'' he instructed, demonstrating briefly with the lens before handing it back. ''That's where we are,'' he noted, jabbing a finger at a spot on the map.

John B squinted, lining up the lens with the map's markings. ''Yeah,'' he confirmed, but Rafe didn't seem comforted.

''Listen,'' Rafe added hastily, ''it doesn't show anything else after that, okay?'' 

John B's gaze caught on something. ''Wait, hold on, hold on. There's some writing here,'' he announced. ''Arabic, maybe?''

Rafe crossed his arms, leaning back slightly as he shot John B a look. ''You can't read it, can you?''

Sarah leaned closer to inspect the map. ''What's it say?'' she pressed.

''No one can,'' Rafe snapped, his frustration bubbling over. ''The map is bullshit.''

''Rafe,'' I warned sharply, stepping toward him. My tone made him glance at me, and I didn't look away until he backed off, his jaw tightening as he clammed up.

Sarah reached into her bag, pulling out the pictures we had taken from the boat. ''What about the pictures from the boat?'' she asked, spreading them out on the rock.

Together, we began sifting through them, looking for anything that might make sense.

John B's fingers hovered over one photo, and he frowned. ''There's gotta be context. There's gotta be something. We're here, and that's there,'' he muttered.

Sarah's eyes lit up suddenly. ''Hold on. Look, look.'' She placed one of the pictures down beside the scroll. ''This is a match.''

John B's focus sharpened, his hand brushing the edge of the photo. ''That's the same,'' he murmured. ''It's the same.''

He turned the photo over, his finger stopping on a line of text. ''That's the same writing right there.'' My eyes flicked to Rafe. ''Rafe. Look at this,'' I called out to him.

I stepped in before Rafe could hesitate and pointed at the back of the photo. ''There's a translation here,'' I said. ''It says, 'At the dawn of the day, touch the earth to reach Heaven.'''

John B's head snapped up. ''Did Groff figure this out?''

Rafe shook his head vehemently, his voice rising slightly. ''No, no. He didn't... figure that out before he tried to kill me, okay? He didn't tell me that. 'Touch the earth.' What does it want? So, what? It wants us to dig? Where? This place is massive.''

Sarah's lips pressed into a thin line as she considered the phrase. ''I don't... I don't think that correlates with Heaven, though,'' she said thoughtfully, her eyes scanning the horizon.

''What the hell is that?'' Rafe asked suddenly, pointing past us.

John B's eyes followed Rafe's line of sight, his face lighting up with a mix of disbelief and awe. ''See what I'm seeing?'' he asked, his voice almost breathless.

I turned to look and felt my stomach tighten. There it was—a massive stone statue rising from the ground.

''Holy shit,'' Rafe muttered, stepping forward for a better view.

John B's fingers tightened around the map. ''It's looking the same,'' he muttered.

Rafe's energy shifted. ''Yeah. The crown has gotta be up there. Come on, let's go,'' he barked, already moving toward the statue. ''Hey,'' he called, glancing back.

That's when we saw the sandstorm swirling on the horizon, the ominous roar of the wind reaching our ears.

''We gotta move,'' John B urged.

I nodded quickly, stuffing the scroll into my bag. ''Let's roll.'' The words barely left my mouth before we took off running.

The sandstorm raged around us, each gust like a whip of dry fire against our skin. I squinted through the swirling grit, the faint silhouette of the towering figure barely visible through the chaos.

Rafe's voice cut through the howling wind. ''The crown must be inside it, yeah?'' 

''Yeah,'' I confirmed, my voice raised to be heard. My hands were clenched tightly at my sides, trying to keep focus through the stinging sand. Every step toward that statue felt like we were fighting the earth itself.

''John B! Hey!'' JJ's familiar voice rang out behind us. We turned just as he and Kie caught up. ''Do you see what's coming?'' JJ asked, motioning toward the storm advancing like a living beast.

Sarah gave a curt nod, her hair whipping in all directions. ''Yeah.''

''It's about to get crazy,'' Kie warned.

''Do we have any idea where to look for the crown?'' JJ asked, his voice slightly muffled by the fabric around his mouth.

''It's up there!'' Sarah shouted over the wind, pointing toward the statue. ''It's in that statue somewhere!''

''We gotta climb up,'' John B decided.

JJ adjusted his goggles, already moving. ''All right, let's go.''

We scrambled to cover our faces, pulling scarves tighter and donning goggles to shield ourselves from the sand. The storm reached us before we could move further, the wind howling like a banshee as we hunkered down, shielding our faces from the pelting grains that felt like a thousand tiny knives.

Rafe shifted beside me, the storm making his voice strained. ''Hey, I'm gonna go scope it out, all right? I'll meet you all up there!'' He took off before anyone could argue, his figure quickly swallowed by the sandstorm.

JJ scowled, his head turning sharply in Rafe's direction. ''I'm not leaving it up to him.''

''And I'm not leaving you with him,'' I told JJ, planting myself firmly by his side.

''Come on,'' JJ beckoned, but before leaving, he turned back toward John B and Sarah. ''Hey, John B. You two sit this one out, okay? We'll find the crown.''

''He's right. You can't stay,'' John B agreed, pulling Sarah close as the wind tugged at her hair.

Sarah hesitated, glancing at the rest of us. ''Are you sure?'' she called.

''Yes! Go!'' Kie yelled. ''Get her out of here!'' JJ added, waving them off.

Reluctantly, John B and Sarah turned and ran, the storm quickly swallowing them as they sought cover. We didn't have time to watch; we had our own mission.

We pressed on, forcing our way up the hill as the wind grew fiercer. By the time we reached the base of the statue, the climb ahead felt impossible. Rafe was already there, his arm tucked tightly against his chest.

''Hey, I can't get up there, not with this hand!'' Rafe shouted, motioning to his injured arm.

''I gotta do it!'' JJ yelled back, already stepping forward.

''What?'' Kie asked.

''No, you're not!'' I shouted, grabbing his arm to stop him. The storm made everything harder, but I wasn't about to let him act reckless.

''I gotta go up there!'' JJ repeated, his voice firmer, more resolute.

Kie stepped closer, shaking her head. ''No, no, no. We should wait it out!'' she argued, her worry plain.

''There's no time, Kie!'' JJ shot back, his voice breaking slightly. ''Right now, this is our chance. They've taken everything away from us. They're not gonna take this too. I gotta do this. I gotta do this for all of us. I mean, hey, it was my fault to begin with, so, I mean, I guess I should be the one to fix it, okay?''

The silence that followed felt heavier than the storm. Kie finally stepped forward and hugged him tightly, her arms locking around him as if she could shield him from everything. ''Okay. Be careful,'' she whispered.

JJ nodded and pulled away, only to wrap me in a fierce hug. His voice was soft, almost inaudible over the storm. ''Remember what you promised me, brother,'' I reminded him.

He managed a faint smile as he let go. ''How could I forget?''

''I'll be here waiting on my crown!'' Kie said.

''Coming right up, Queen Kie,'' JJ replied, his tone light despite the danger. He turned toward the statue and started the climb.

Rafe lingered for a moment, his gaze following JJ. ''You got it,'' he told him, his voice softer now, almost encouraging.

JJ glanced back briefly. ''Hey, you'll get your cut!'' he exclaimed, and with that, he focused on the climb ahead.

I cupped my hands around my mouth to shout over the wind.

''Be careful, seriously!'' I called out.

JJ's body tensed as he reached for a handhold, but the stone crumbled under his fingers. He let out a sharp yell as his foot slipped, and for one terrifying moment, he dangled precariously.

''J!'' Kiara and I screamed at the same time, hearts in our throats.

Time seemed to freeze until JJ found a ledge, hauling himself to safety. My chest heaved, relief washing over me as I glanced at Kie. Her face mirrored mine, pale and stricken.

''J, we gotta hurry!'' Kie shouted, her hands cupped to amplify her voice. JJ gave a quick nod, continuing his climb.

The sound of voices reached us. ''They have to be up here!'' Dalia's voice carried through the wind.

''Shit. Here they come,'' Rafe muttered, his eyes narrowing. He was already stepping forward before we could stop him.

''J! They're coming!'' Kie yelled again, panic seeping into her tone.

Rafe turned to us suddenly. ''Hey! You guys stay here. I'll go down and buy us some time.''

My heart sank. ''What? No, Rafe! Are you crazy?'' I grabbed his arm, refusing to let him leave. ''They'll kill you!''

His eyes burned with something wild. ''Hey! I'm a killer too! I've got nothing to lose!'' He tapped his head,

''Yes, you have!'' I shouted back, my grip tightening on his wrist. ''You have been giving a second chance! You have everything to lose, and you know it.''

For a split second, his defiance faltered. But then he pulled away, his voice softening. ''And that's exactly why I'm going to buy you some time.'' He looked at me like he wanted to say more, but instead, he turned and sprinted toward the approaching threat.

''JJ, hurry!'' Kie screamed, her voice hoarse from yelling.

''JJ, we've gotta hurry!'' I echoed, my chest tightening as I glanced at him scaling the statue.

''Hey! I think I found something!'' JJ's voice came down to us, filled with both excitement and strain. He tugged at a piece of the statue, and we watched as a chunk of stone fell and landed a few feet away, shattering on impact.

''JJ, please, come on!'' Kie begged, her voice cracking. ''J, just come on!''

Ignoring us, JJ pushed himself to the top of the statue. The wind howled around him, but his triumphant yell cut through it all. ''It's real!'' he shouted. ''Yeah, baby! We did it! Long live Poguelandia!''

''JJ, we've gotta hurry!'' Kie pleaded again. ''We've gotta get out of here! Come down!''

''I'm coming!'' JJ hollered back, finally starting his descent. Each moment felt like a year as we watched him climb back to the ground.

When his feet hit solid earth, I rushed to him. ''Are you okay?'' Kie asked, her worry evident.

''I'm good. I'm good,'' JJ answered, catching his breath. A grin spread across his face as he held up the crown. ''I'm better, actually. I'm great.''

''You did it!'' I exclaimed, grabbing his shoulder.

''No way!'' Kie chimed in, her face lighting up.

''I... I got it!'' JJ repeated, almost in disbelief. ''Do you know what this means?'' He looked between us, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Kie nodded fervently. ''Oh, yeah, I do.''

''We're getting it back,'' JJ declared. ''We're getting back our home.''

We couldn't contain it anymore. The three of us erupted into cheers, our voices ringing out despite the storm. For a moment, the victory felt bigger than the chaos around us.

Then JJ's voice cut through. ''Wait, wait, hey!'' He pointed sharply, and my stomach dropped. Dalia stood in the distance, her gun aimed squarely at us.

''Go, go, go!'' JJ shouted, panic taking over. Without thinking, I grabbed Kie's hand and we ran, the sound of gunfire splitting the air behind us.

The sandstorm grew thicker, making it harder to see, but we kept running. ''Come on! We gotta find the others!'' 

We darted through the maze of pathways, the stone walls around us offering little guidance. ''Hey, that way. That way,'' JJ urged, pointing ahead.

''I think it's this way!'' Kie shouted, pulling me in the opposite direction. I barely had time to react before following her, our hands still locked tightly as we raced through the storm.

The air seemed to freeze as someone's grip tightened around my arm, nails digging into my skin. I struggled, but I got yanked away from Kie with a force that knocked the breath out of me. My head spun as I processed what was happening. Behind me, Kie's terrified cry pierced the chaos.

''J!'' we screamed, our voices overlapping.

Before I could turn back, Trevor shoved me further away. ''Dad!'' I yelled, my voice shaking.

Trevor's face twisted into something cold and unrecognisable. ''You think I won't do it, Mavis?'' His voice was sharp, venom lacing every word. ''I've killed before. Your mother thought she could get away with betraying me, too.''

My stomach churned. ''What?'' I rasped, the word barely audible over the sound of the storm. ''What are you talking about?''

Trevor leaned in closer, his breath hot against my face. ''She was pregnant,'' he hissed, ''but not with my child. That child was Big John's. Just like you were his, and not mine. She betrayed me for gold and for him.'' His eyes flickered with something unhinged. ''So, I ended her.''

The world felt like it had tilted on its axis. My head spun, and bile rose in my throat. ''You killed her?'' My voice cracked. ''You killed her over gold? Over something that doesn't even matter?''

Trevor scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. ''Doesn't matter? It's everything. And you? You've been a thorn in my side, poking at the past, trying to uncover things you were better off leaving alone!''

''So, what?'' I spat, my chest heaving with rage. ''You thought I'd just drop it? Let it all go?''

''I gave you a chance,'' he snapped. ''I thought you'd realise you'd never win. But here we are.''

Groff's laugh cut through the tension. ''Quit the fucking family reunion, Trevor,'' he jeered, his grin wide and predatory. His grip on Kie tightened, the blade against her neck glinting in the dim light.

''JJ!'' Kie cried out.

In the distance, I caught a blur of motion. JJ was running toward us. ''You let her go!'' he shouted, his voice hoarse but commanding.

''Stop right there,'' Groff barked, his knife pressing harder against Kie's throat. ''Don't move. You know what I want.'' He held out his hand. ''Give it to me.''

JJ froze, his eyes darting between Groff and Kie. ''Just let her go,'' he demanded.

Groff's grin widened. ''You could've stuck with me, JJ,'' he taunted. ''Think about what you could've had. But now, you're going to get nothing. Nothing.''

JJ's jaw tightened, his eyes blazing. ''No,'' he retorted. ''I already have everything. Everything I've ever wanted. Things that you'll never have.'' He pulled out the bag containing the crown. ''You want the crown? Sure, take it. Take it. I don't want it. Just... let her go.''

Groff's eyes narrowed suspiciously before his greed took over. ''Perfect,'' he murmured. ''Hold it out.''

JJ slowly stepped forward, his posture careful. ''Take it,'' he urged, holding out the bag with trembling hands.

Groff reached for it, his eyes never leaving JJ's face. ''Easy,'' he warned.

JJ handed over the bag, then moved in one fluid motion, grabbing Kie and spinning her behind him. ''I got you,'' he whispered fiercely, pulling her into his arms. ''It's okay.''

Kie clung to him tightly. ''Thank you,'' she murmured, her voice breaking.

''JJ.'' Groff's voice was cold, cutting through the brief moment of relief.

JJ let Kie go slowly, turning to face Groff. Their eyes locked, a silent battle raging between them. Groff smirked, his hand moving too fast to stop. JJ's eyes widened in shock as the knife plunged into his side.

I gasped as JJ groaned, blood staining his shirt and dripping onto the ground. ''You should have given me...'' Groff sneered, twisting the knife. JJ cried out in agony, his knees buckling.

''...the rope,'' Groff finished with a sadistic smile. He twisted the blade again before yanking it free, letting JJ collapse into Kie's arms.

Trevor turned to run after Groff, but rage and adrenaline surged through me. Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist, spinning him around with all my strength. ''You don't get to walk away,'' I snarled, my voice trembling with fury.

I didn't give him time to react. My fist connected with his face, the force of it snapping his head to the side. He stumbled, and the gun fell from his holster. My hands moved before my brain could catch up. I snatched the weapon, pointing it squarely at him.

Trevor's eyes widened in shock. ''Mavis—''

The gunshot rang out, deafening and final. Trevor's body hit the ground, lifeless. 

JJ slumped against the cold, uneven stone, his blood-covered hands trembling as they hovered over his stomach. His breathing was ragged, each exhale coming in short, laboured bursts.

''No, no, no,'' Kie whispered in despair, her hands fluttering helplessly over him as he collapsed. She knelt beside him, her tears streaming freely.

I crouched down on his other side, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. ''It's okay,'' I murmured, trying to force calm into my voice. ''It's okay. Hey, hey, hey, look at me. Look at me.'' I leaned closer, desperate to hold his gaze. His blue eyes met mine, a flicker of something soft, almost resigned, passing through them. ''You're going to be okay,'' I said firmly.

His body sagged further against the stone, and I fought the urge to scream. ''Let me see it,'' I demanded, my voice trembling as I reached for his wound. The moment my hands touched his side, a fresh wave of blood poured out, and I froze. My fingers trembled above the gash, the sheer amount of red making bile rise in my throat.

JJ groaned, a low, agonised sound that made my stomach twist. ''Don't... don't move,'' Kie urged, settling beside me and placing her hands over his wound to help.

''Hey,'' JJ rasped, his voice so faint it barely reached me.

''Don't move. Don't move. No, no,'' I repeated, trying to keep him awake, to keep him tethered to us. My voice cracked as I felt the warmth of his blood seep through my fingers.