A Fateful Summoning – Episode 5: Lost and Found

The morning sun struggled to break through the dense foliage of the forest, casting a muted light over the camp where Bellamy stood, gathering a search party. Anxiety hung thick in the air. The fate of Jasper was uncertain, and every passing moment felt like a countdown to disaster.

"Alright, everyone," Bellamy announced, his voice steady despite the growing tension. "We're heading out to find Jasper. We need to cover as much ground as we can. I want everyone on high alert. We don't know what we're up against out there." He scanned the faces of his team, their expressions a mixture of determination and fear.

As he looked toward the edge of the camp, his gaze landed on Atom, who was whispering closely to Octavia. Bellamy's heart sank as he witnessed the two lean in, their lips brushing together in a kiss. A wave of protectiveness surged through him, mingling with frustration. He didn't trust Atom and certainly didn't like seeing his sister with him.

He quickly approached them, interrupting the moment. "Hey," he called out, his tone cutting through the air like a knife.

Octavia pulled back, her cheeks slightly flushed, while Atom's expression shifted from surprise to apprehension. "Do you need something?" Atom asked, his voice shaky.

Ignoring him, Bellamy focused on Octavia. "You shouldn't be with him," he stated firmly, his eyes narrowing.

Octavia's expression hardened, her arms crossing defensively. "You don't get to tell me who I can or can't be with, Bellamy. I'm not a child anymore."

"Then act like it!" Bellamy shot back, exasperated. "Atom isn't someone you should trust. You don't know anything about him."

Octavia's anger flared, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "And you think you know everything? I can make my own decisions."

Bellamy took a deep breath, trying to temper his frustration. "I'm not trying to control you, O. I just don't want to see you get hurt."

Her eyes softened for a moment, but she quickly steeled herself again. "I can take care of myself. You don't need to worry about me."

He sighed, sensing the futility of the argument. "Fine. Just be careful. Have you seen Naruto?" He hoped to redirect the conversation, his concern shifting toward the mysterious blond ninja who had saved Octavia's life.

Octavia shook her head, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "No. I haven't seen him since yesterday. He mentioned something about making a weapon, but I don't know where he went."

"Damn it," Bellamy muttered under his breath. "Where could he be?" His gaze darted around the camp, unease creeping up his spine. The absence of Naruto felt ominous.

Before Octavia could respond, Bellamy turned back to the search party. "I'll be back soon. We'll find Jasper." With that, he rejoined the group, leaving Octavia to her thoughts.

As the search party disappeared into the depths of the forest, Octavia felt the weight of worry settle over her. Jasper was in danger, yes, but so was Naruto. A knot formed in her stomach as she realized how much she had come to care for him. Determined to find him, she set off on her own search, calling out his name every few minutes, but the forest remained eerily silent.

Time slipped by as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the ground. After what felt like an eternity, the search party returned. Octavia rushed forward, her heart pounding in her chest as she took in the sight of Jasper being carried unconscious by several members of the group.

"What happened?" she demanded, her voice tinged with fear.

Bellamy's face was grave as he explained, "We found him on the other side of the mountain. He's alive, but barely. He got hit by a spear—poisoned." He ran a hand through his hair, worry etched in his features. "We need to find a cure fast."

Octavia's heart sank. "Poison? Is there a way to help him?"

Clarke, who had been tending to Jasper, looked up, her expression serious. "We don't know yet. We'll have to find something quickly. We're not alone out here; someone—or something—attacked him."

The urgency of their situation weighed heavily on Octavia. "Did you find Naruto?" Bellamy asked again, searching her face for answers.

"No," she admitted, anxiety creeping in. "I looked everywhere. I don't know where he could be."

Bellamy frowned, rubbing his neck as if trying to ease the tension. "We can't afford to lose anyone else. I'll check around the camp one more time."

As the group took Jasper into the ship for treatment, Octavia found herself lost in thought. The worry for Naruto gnawed at her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was in trouble somewhere.

That night, as darkness enveloped the camp, Atom approached her with a softer demeanor than before. "Hey," he said, gently turning her around. He leaned in and captured her lips in another kiss, seeking to comfort her. "Are you okay?"

Octavia nodded, though her thoughts were still with Naruto. "Yeah, I'm fine, just... still trying to find Naruto."

Atom regarded her with concern, but didn't press the issue further. "I'm sure he'll turn up. He seems like the kind of guy who can take care of himself."

Octavia managed a small smile, grateful for Atom's attempt to lighten the mood, but her heart was not in it. As Atom leaned in again, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for thinking of Naruto while she was with him.

--

Naruto's POV

In the depths of the forest, Naruto stumbled through the undergrowth, his mind clouded with confusion and pain. The hand marked with Octavia's name glowed intensely, the sensation growing unbearable. He had tried to ignore it, to distance himself from the camp and the emotions that came with it, but it was as if a magnetic force was drawing him back.

Every step felt heavier than the last. He was determined to get as far away from there as possible, to avoid whatever turmoil his presence might cause. But no matter how hard he pushed himself, the glowing on his hand grew stronger, more insistent.

Suddenly, a sharp, blinding pain shot through his arm, causing him to stagger and collapse to his knees. He clutched his wrist, feeling the heat radiate from his hand as the glow intensified, blinding him for a moment. "Damn it..." Naruto grunted, desperate to push through the agony. He couldn't understand what was happening to him.

With a surge of adrenaline, he attempted to rise, to fight against the pain, but it felt as though his body was betraying him. He staggered, falling to the ground, the world around him spinning. The glow continued to pulse, a relentless reminder of Octavia and the connection they shared.

In that moment of darkness, the last thing he felt was a warmth spreading through his being, followed by the overwhelming pull of her name—a name that now felt like a lifeline. Just as the darkness threatened to consume him, he surrendered to it, his vision fading as he fell unconscious in the underbrush.

--

End of Episode 5