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We weren't prepared.
I knew it from the moment I heard the third explosion. One of ours screamed before falling, and his body rolled across the ground like a broken sack. Ten against four. And those bastards from "No Road" were laughing. Each of them seemed to enjoy every blow like it was some kind of party.
I covered my side. My Lysae leaking out of my body. Heat. Pain.
Since when has silence become so loud?
All of this started with that stupid mission they gave us. Leaving the warmth of my home just to suffer through the world's cruelty once again.
—We've detected strange movements in the Rost region. Rumor has it there's a gang operating there that's threatening three nearby villages.
Flumir, your mission will be to look for clues and help us neutralize that threat as soon as possible.
You'll be joined by Ylwen, Darlon, and Maro. The House of the Silent Wind will also assign two squads of five members each, who will work alongside you to gather intel —said Master Sunsel, without lifting his eyes from the scrolls filled with seals.
—I understand, Master.
But… the team you're assigning me doesn't have stealth skills —I replied, unable to hide my concern—.
I've barely managed to master some techniques to stay undetected… but they seem better suited for sabotage tactics. As for fighting strength… I'd say it's average, at best.
—I'm glad you noticed. We're not sending you in blind —the Master said, finally looking up—.
We've located some of their settlements. The plan is to destroy their supplies tonight and then lead a small army against them tomorrow.
That's where you come in: while the House of the Silent Wind gathers intel, your team will support from the shadows and sabotage their resources once they're identified.
—We'll also send some members from the House of the Unmoving Rock to protect the villages in case they try to retaliate —added the Grand Master in a firm tone.
—Understood, Masters. I'm ready. It's been a while since I blew something up… like I usually do with Darel —I replied with a mocking smile.
As soon as we received the orders, we hurried to establish a command line to stay in touch.
Everyone was smart enough to come up with easy-to-remember signals among us, but confusing enough to throw off any eavesdroppers.
—That's it. We have to go now if we want to arrive by midnight —I said with a smile full of excitement—. While we were here, the other teams went ahead. That gave us time to prepare all of this, guys.
My Semillum pounded in my chest. I had never led anything before... and now I had a real mission, a team, a plan. Something inside me was burning.
—Darlon, you'll be in charge of monitoring the surroundings. Your wind sense is sharp, so I trust you'll detect any threat before anyone else.
Maro, you'll be our frontline defense and attack. You're the toughest in the team—our wall.
Ylwen, your healing and support skills keep us on our feet. Combined with Maro, you're a fortress. Don't leave his side.
I'll lead the assault and overall strategy. But listen closely: prioritize your lives. If things go out of control… I want you to run. We can't all afford to fall here —I said with a furrowed brow, my voice lower, heavier.
—I've been training too, so I can help. Thanks to Master Kerl's teachings and the Lysae Sout technique he showed us, I managed to create two defensive layers. Each one can release a large amount of water in three seconds. It could serve as a distraction if we need to escape. The moment I give the signal I taught you, stay close to me —said Ylwen, frowning with determination, but letting a brave smile show.
—Heh! Sounds like I've got one less thing to worry about —I said with a mocking grin.
A few hours later, we'd been walking nonstop until we reached a dense forest. It was packed with trees of all shapes and sizes, barely letting the moonlight through. It felt like the sky itself had forgotten about us.
—Darlon, your time to shine. Use your air currents to guide us. We need to be careful and avoid running into the gang… or any thieves at this hour —I whispered.
—I already am —Darlon replied—. I've kept the currents active since we left, but… I haven't felt anything strange. And that's what worries me. No signs of movement… not even animals.
The darkness made it hard to see his expression, but the tone of his voice was enough to sense the discomfort.
—So what do we do? —asked Maro, frowning—. If we charge Lysae into our feet, we could move through the trees. We'd jump faster and dodge any threat.
—I agree —I nodded—. Darlon and I, being wind affinity, can move easily. You and Ylwen should go ahead. We'll cover you since you'll be slower at jumping than us.
—I don't think there's a point in hiding anymore. Seems they've noticed us… What do you say, Selmir? —said a woman as she emerged from the bushes.
—Well, if they'd gone jumping through the trees, we couldn't get any info out of them. Shame… I thought we'd avoid a fight —replied a man whose voice sounded like he was laughing between every word.
The moment we saw them, we grouped up, forming a circle and looking in all directions.
—What do you want? Are you thieves? Or are you part of the No Road gang? —I asked, narrowing my eyes.
—Once I give the signal, jump toward that massive tree and keep going straight. I'll buy us some time… —I whispered to the group, low enough for only them to hear.
—Oh! They're planning something, Basile. I think we should act now —said the man with that ever-mocking tone, even as he announced the fight.
As soon as he said it, I formed two layers of Lysae Sout and rushed toward them. I channeled a burst of wind in my hand and unleashed a powerful gust to throw them off.
—Now!! —I shouted.
Immediately, everyone dashed in the direction I had told them, without even blinking.
—Good… —I whispered in relief.
When I looked forward again, I realized I'd taken both of them down surprisingly easily. They crashed against the trees behind them and were knocked out instantly.
—What the hell…? —I muttered, frowning.
—Wasn't that too easy? —I added, just as several torches lit up in the distance, heading straight for me.
—I can't waste more time here —I said, moving quickly toward the unconscious girl.
She still hadn't reacted, so I picked her up and leapt into a tree. Using a small rope from my tool bag, I tied her hands and feet while watching the figures approach the place where we had just fought.
Then, I summoned a wind current and glided across it, jumping from tree to tree.
Once I'd put some distance between us, I took a deep breath and whispered through the wind straight to Darlon:
—Stop. I'm on my way with one of the attackers captured.
Up ahead, I found the others, huddled near a tree, alert to everything around them. Darlon had his eyes closed, focused on sensing anyone approaching.
—Flumir! Are you okay? —asked Maro as he saw me arrive.
—Yeah! I brought the girl who tried to ambush us. The attack I launched took them down easily —I replied, not without a hint of pride in my voice.
—Ylwen, splash water on her face to wake her up —I instructed.
Ylwen gathered water in her hands and threw it straight at her face. The girl reacted instantly, waking up coughing.
I drew my short sword and pointed it directly at her neck.
—Who are you and what do you want? —I asked, frowning as she struggled to catch her breath. —Keep in mind, I won't hesitate to slice your throat if you try anything.
—Do what you want, kid. You think I'm afraid to die here, in this dark forest, waiting for death? —she replied with a frown and an oddly defiant smile.
—I see… then you're useless to me —I said, bringing the sword closer to her neck.
But just then, something slammed into the tree, throwing us off balance. We had to jump to another tree to avoid falling, and the girl used the chaos to leap downward.
—Shit! —I spat, seeing her escape.
A huge man caught her mid-air, and another one lunged at me. I jumped back to put some distance, but immediately felt three more people surround us.
—Looks like they don't plan to explain who they are… —I said with a sly smile, clashing with the tension in the air.
The faint light filtering through the branches let me see their faces and clothes more clearly. To my surprise, they were from the Falhmer clan... our age-old rivals.
With my allies scattered and surrounded, I swallowed hard and muttered:
—So, Falhmer, huh?...
I wondered if their appearance was just a coincidence… or something far worse.