War of Flags II

The reconnaissance units arrived just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the island in deepening shadows. Night had come quickly, as if the professors had timed it to limit our movements on the first day. Perhaps they wanted to see how we'd handle a baptism by darkness.

Inside the meeting room, we gathered. It was a select group—the six Captains, our Commander, myself as the Head Strategist, and the two other Strategists, including the traitor Leon. We had our roles, but there were layers beneath the surface—alliances, suspicions, plans within plans. 

Lucifer sat at the head of the table, his eyes sharp and unwavering, his presence commanding as always. I took my seat between Rachel and Cecilia, Seraphina on the other side of Cecilia, shooting me a slight pout for not sitting beside her. I'd have to make it up to her later—perhaps in a quieter moment, when strategy wasn't the primary concern.

Ren and Jin stood at the front, their expressions serious as they began laying out the scouting report. I glanced at them briefly, my mind already piecing together the puzzle they were about to present.

"We're positioned on the eastern edge of the island," Ren began, his tone measured. "To our immediate east, as you've all noticed, is the ocean—so no threats from that direction."

"Except maybe the weather," Jin added dryly, earning a quiet chuckle from the table. He continued, more seriously, "The terrain around us is mostly dense forest to the north and west, with broken ruins scattered throughout. There's a collapsed bridge to the west, which could serve as a choke point for anyone attempting to move on us from that direction."

"Are we sure that's the best place to hold?" Seraphina asked, her brow furrowed. "It's a narrow space, but it could also trap us if we're not careful."

Jin nodded, acknowledging her concern. "True, but it also gives us control over who moves through it. We could lay traps, fortify the area, and keep it as a fallback point if needed. It's risky, but with the right setup, it could be our advantage."

I could see her pondering that, her tactical instincts sharpening.

Ren stepped in again, "To the northeast is Frostspire Academy. They've positioned themselves in a cold, rocky area. The ice mages will likely use the natural terrain to their advantage, so we'll need to be cautious if we engage them. However, they're one of the weaker academies overall, so we might be able to take them out early."

Lucifer's gaze flickered to me. "Thoughts?"

"They're weaker," I said, leaning forward, "but they know it. If we attack them too early, they'll turtle up and play defensively, which could cost us more time and resources than it's worth. It's better to keep an eye on them for now, but we should focus on securing key supplies first."

Rachel nodded beside me. "And what about the other side?"

Ren's eyes darkened slightly. "Serpentstone Academy is southeast, entrenched near a swamp. The terrain makes it difficult to launch a direct attack without risking ambushes. If we go for them, we need to be ready for traps."

A ripple of unease passed through the room. Serpentstone Academy's reputation as the best from the Southern Continent made them a formidable opponent. They were known for their well-rounded combat prowess and teamwork, excelling in large-scale battles where strategy outweighed individual strength. They wouldn't be an easy target.

"We'll need to control the central supply routes if we want any chance of maintaining our position," I said, breaking the silence. "The ruined city in the middle of the island is going to be a hot spot for resources, and every academy will be aiming for it."

Lucifer nodded, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "We'll need to send scouts to monitor the city, but we shouldn't commit too many resources yet. Taking it too early could make us a target for everyone."

"And Jack will know we're going for it," I added, scanning the faces around the table. "He'll expect Mythos Academy to try and control the central area. He'll likely use the other academies to distract us while he focuses on securing key locations elsewhere."

Leon, sitting quietly across from me, shifted slightly in his seat. His expression remained neutral, but I could feel the tension in him, subtle but present. He thought he was clever, that he was hiding his true role well, but I had already set the bait. Jack's move would come soon enough, and Leon would be the one to hand him just enough misinformation to lead him into a trap.

"What do we know about Slatemark's position?" Rachel asked, her focus sharp as always.

Jin, arms crossed, answered, "They're directly opposite us, on the western side of the island. We haven't fully scouted their base yet, but it's safe to assume Jack's already setting up defenses. Starcrest Academy is to their north, and Gravehold is to their south. That gives him two potential allies or enemies to deal with."

Lucifer's eyes gleamed with a faint hint of amusement. "He's juggling quite a lot, then."

"Not necessarily," I said, shaking my head. "Jack doesn't care about Starcrest or Gravehold. He'll use them as long as it benefits him and drop them the moment they become a liability. His main goal will be to control the flow of information and the key strategic structures on the island. He's not going to play by the same rules as the rest of us."

The room fell silent, the gravity of the situation settling in. The festival wasn't just about victory—it was about how well we could adapt, outthink, and outmaneuver not only the other academies but Jack Blazespout, a master of manipulation. This wasn't just a game for him. It was war.

Lucifer's voice cut through the quiet. "We'll start by securing the supply depot to the east and taking control of the high ground to the north. Seraphina, Jin, you'll lead the units responsible for those areas."

Seraphina's earlier pout faded, replaced with determination. "Understood."

Jin, as stoic as ever, nodded. "We'll lock it down."

Ren looked to me, his tone thoughtful. "And what about the central city? It's going to be a battlefield."

Lucifer's eyes shifted toward me, silently deferring to my judgment.

"We monitor it closely," I replied, meeting his gaze with calm resolve. "But we don't make any moves just yet. Let the other academies fight for it. They'll tire themselves out, and when the time is right, we'll step in and secure it with minimal resistance."

Everyone nodded in agreement, understanding the delicate balance of patience and aggression we'd need to maintain. It was a game of strategy, and timing was everything.

As the meeting came to a close, I glanced at Leon once more. He was still sitting quietly, avoiding eye contact, probably already planning how to get this "crucial" information to Jack. I'd given him the bait. Now it was only a matter of time before Jack made his move, thinking he was outsmarting us.

But in reality, we were ready for him.

The game had begun.