Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 114

Chapter One Hundred And Fourteen: We Love You

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Chapter One Hundred And Fourteen: We Love You.

The private jet had barely begun its descent when Dreston’s phone lit up again. He didn’t look surprised.

He had already seen this coming.

“Steve,” he said into the receiver, voice calm. “We land in twenty minutes. I want full perimeter control at Gate Three. No open walkways. Create a corridor, and I want the media held at a distance unless cleared.”

Then he paused.

“Yes, sir.” Steve replied.

“And Steve?” Dreston continued.

“Yes, sir.”

“Do not underestimate the crowd.” He ended the call and glanced across the cabin.

Cassienne sat by the window, looking down at Southvale’s skyline coming into view. The city looked the same. Nothing has changed. But her life was no longer calm.

Her phone had been buzzing nonstop since they left the Expo venue. So many messages.

Interview requests. Endorsements proposals. Speaking engagements. Global gaming conventions. Tech summits. Youth innovation forums.

All these requests come in non–stop.

She let out a deep breath and turned to look at Dreston. “Is it really going to be that bad?”

He didn’t sugarcoat it.

“Yes.”

“You ready?” he asked her.

Cassienne inhaled slowly. “I don’t think anyone can ever be ready for this.”

The jet door opened. The sound hit first. A roar, high–pitched screams and chants welcome them.

“NULL–WRAITH! NULL–WRAITH! NULL–WRAITH!”

Dreston’s jaw tightened slightly. He was the first person to step out.

Black SUVS lined the restricted runway zone. Security personnel were already in formation, creating a narrow path from the jet stairs to the convoy.

But beyond the barricades. Hundreds, no.Thousands young faces were waiting. Banners in their hands and their phones raised.

Some had printed posters of her gaming avatar.

Chapter One Hundred And Fourteen: We Love You

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Some wore handmade shirts with “OBSIDIAN 13” scribbled across them.

And when Cassienne appeared at the top of the stairs…

The airport erupted, and she froze for half a second. The chanting intensified.

“NULLWRAITH!”

“OBSIDIAN!”

“WE LOVE YOU!”

“SIGN MY JERSEY!”

“WRITE YOUR STORY!”

“WE WANT YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY!”

Cassienne blinked. Surprised. Autobiography? Her heart pounded–not from fear this time–but disbelief.

Dreston stepped slightly ahead of her, but he didn’t block her. He turned subtly toward her instead. “It’s your moment.” He said to her

Security formed tighter around her as she descended.

Then flashlights.

Camera shutters.

Live broadcast vans were stationed outside the restricted zone, reporters speaking rapidly into microphones.

“And here she is, Cassienne Rhodes, officially confirmed as NULLWRAITH–arriving back in Southvale!”

The global feed was already transmitting. Cassienne hesitated for only a second before stepping closer to the barricade.

She reached out to the crowd. A trembling teenage girl pushed forward a gaming mousepad.

“Please! Just one signature!”

Cassienne took it. Her hand shook slightly, but she signed it. Another shoved a notebook. And another tablet case. And that was how it was.

Cassienne laughed softly when someone shouted, “Write your biography already!”

“I just got exposed yesterday!” she called back with a smile.

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

She took a few selfies with a few selected people. The security controlling the proximity. Not all actually. But enough to show she wasn’t hiding.

The crowd loved her more for it. Some cried. While some screamed her gamer tag over and over.

Some simply stood there in awe.

Chapter One Hundred And Fourteen: We Love You

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Meanwhile….

Inside the Tremont residence in Southvale.

Joseph stood before the massive wall–mounted television, remote forgotten in his hand.

The live broadcast showed Cassienne smiling, signing, and waving at her fans

Abigail’s eyes were glossy with tears.

“She’s handling it beautifully,” she whispered.

Joseph straightened his shoulders.

“That is my daughter–in–law.” There was no hesitation in his voice. No condition. And no correction. Just pride.

“She looks like royalty,” Abigail added softly.

Joseph gave a satisfied nod. “And they thought she was just some quiet girl.” He scoffed lightly. “They had no idea.”

Back at the airport. Security tightened formation. Steve approached Dreston quickly.

“Sir, we need to move. The crowd’s growing.”

Dreston nodded.

He placed a protective hand at the small of Cassienne’s back and ushered her toward the central SUV.

The chanting followed them all the way. As the convoy pulled away, fans ran alongside the barricades, still shouting her name.

Inside the armored van, the world finally quieted. Cassienne leaned back against the seat, breath leaving her slowly. “That… was insane.”

Dreston gave a faint smile. “It’s only the beginning.”

And just then, her phone vibrated again. But she ignored it. Dreston’s phone, however, did not stop. One call ended. Another immediately replaced it.

“Dreston Tremont speaking.” Then there was a pause.

“Yes, we just landed.” Another pause.

“No, we are not scheduling interviews today.‘

Then he ended it.

The phone rang again. This time it was a different number.

He didn’t hesitate to answer it.

“Yes.” He was silent as he listened to the other person on the other side.

Chapter One Hundred And Fourteen We Love You.

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“We will consider the proposal.‘

And so another call followed another.

Global venture capital groups. Gaming consortiums. Technology boards. Youth development foundations.

Every one of them wanted access. Meetings. Dinners. Partnerships. And joint ventures.

Some wanted her as a face. While some wanted her as an investment magnet. But some wanted control.

Dreston ended the fourth call in five minutes and finally leaned his head back.

He looked at Cassienne. Their eyes locked for a moment. Neither spoke. But the meaning was clear. This wasn’t temporary. This was momentum.

“You see it now?” he asked quietly.

Cassienne nodded once, and gave a tired smile. She looked down at her hands.

And just then, another call came in.

Dreston stared at the screen this time before answering.

“Mr. Tremont, congratulations. We would like to arrange a private investment consultation for Miss Rhodes.”

Dreston’s eyes stayed on her as he spoke. “We will revert.”

Then he ended the call. This wasn’t about business anymore. This was about protection, and positioning.

The convoy drove deeper into Southvale, away from the airport chaos.

Cassienne finally exhaled fully.

“Can I disappear for one day?” she asked lightly.

Dreston’s expression softened. “You could try.”

Cassienne looked out the tinted window at the city rushing past. Southvale looked the same. But she didn’t feel

the same.

Behind them, the last of the fans were still chanting her name.

And ahead, Southvale wasn’t just welcoming her home. It was waiting for its new icon. And everyone wanted a piece of her.

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