65

The night was there, and the trio were standing in front of the abandoned warehouse. Regan couldn't shake the unease in the pit of her stomach. It wasn't just about Sirius finding out, it was about the people that were going to fight. She didn't want any bloodshed, she didn't want anyone innocent to get hurt. 

Jack had somehow found some pistols for them, and they were manageable to hide. The warehouse was an old building made of wood and bamboo, and Regan wondered how it was still standing.

The meeting point was actually further away from the military camp and the soldiers tents. During their arrival there, they saw few to none guards marching or patrolling. So, it was a useful place to gather sneakily. There was a visible moon in the sky but it looked orange. No other lights around, so they were using flashlights.

"The woman said they were going to be here. We've been waiting for more than two hours," Jack said with a frown, leaning on the wooden fence of the warehouse.

"Maybe she wanted to make sure we'd come first," Regan replied, playing the soil with her boots. She knew the woman was going to come, she just did. This was a rebellion for justice and Regan had seen the resolve in her eyes. "And she wants to make sure everyone is sleeping."

"No one's gonna be awake at this hour," Jack assured.

"Yeah, but she looks too aggressive," Iris said, chewing on her lip, "What if she plans to kill them?"

Iris had a point and Regan knew that if anyone died from her fault, she'd never get past it. "This is a battle, Iris," Jack responded, his voice low, "They never played nice with us in the first place. But I get it, I don't want anyone innocent to get hurt either."

Suddenly, from the pitch black distance, some orange flames began to flicker in the darkness and Regan felt a surge of anxiety mixed with anticipation. The sparks were faint but they were there. It was them. The rebels.

"They're coming!" Iris whispered, her heart racing.

The sparks grew higher in number and the three of them could hear the muffled sounds of voices, and the soft rustling of leaves and branches as they moved through the foliage. They held their breath, the flames becoming brighter, casting eerie shadows across the ground as the figures drew nearer.

Finally they emerged from the darkness, a surprising large number of many men and women, all dressed in dark thick layers of clothes. Their leader, the woman named Raven had her black hair in a bun, her expression hard as stone. They were all holding torches, makeshift weapons and dangerous ones. Regan knew this was serious, that the weapons didn't hold fake bullets. But she was a little more confident that there were a lot of rebels.

The woman didn't speak, just nodded curtly at Regan, and turned to address the rebels behind her. Her voice was low and firm as she spoke about their plan, which they had actually planned quite well. They were going to separate into smaller groups and infiltrate the camp at different points.

But she could see Raven wasn't planning to just neutralize, she was aiming to strike hard. Her plans were precise, and Regan felt like she was in a war, not in a rebellion. They had been prepared for this, but Regan knew she was the reason why things were about to snap. And maybe it was supposed to make her proud of herself, but it didn't.

"Raven look," she began, trying to sound firm and say what was bothering her, "We don't want to hurt anyone innocent. This isn't about bloodshed."

Raven turned to her, her dark eyes narrowing, "I know, red. But this is a war for me. And in war only the brave comes. If you can't handle it, you shouldn't have come."

"I'm not talking about myself," Regan shot back, feeling her anger rise. "What about other people?"

"People get hurt in war," Raven said, her voice like steel over the murmurs of the rebels, "And our people," she gestured at the group, "are prepared to pay that price for freedom. While they," she gestured again, but this time at the distant camp, "they're not innocent. They're monsters, just like their emperor. Now let's move."

Regan looked back at Iris and Jack, the brunette was pale, while Jack's jaw was clenched tight. "Well, that's what a battle is, Iris," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. Raven wasn't entirely wrong. They deserved it. The only thing she didn't want was for it to become a slaughter.

"You're going to be in my group," Raven told her, "We'll take down their main communication towers and military bases. And then, we're going to take care of the general."

Regan nodded solemnly. This was the moment she had both dreading and anticipating. She could feel her heart racing as they followed Raven like shadows and she realized that Iris and Jack were in another group. She hoped they would be safe.

The groups dispersed silently into the night, the other rebels torches fading as they spread apart from each other.

Raven's group approached the communication towers swiftly and stealthily. But now it was on Regan's hand to do her magic, and bring down the signals. She felt like she was on a math exam without studying but she had to do it. "You'll have to climb up there," Raven instructed her, pointing at the tower. "And burn the main sources of their power. Use this to get down quickly," she handed her a tool that seemed like a grappling hook, "Pollux!" she called out to one of her goth brothers, "Keep watch."

Pollux nodded, his rifle heavy in his arms, and took his position as Regan ran to the tower's entrance. They had locked it with chains but she used her fire to melt them, the metal sizzling and giving way with surprising ease. She climbed up the ladder, the metallic rungs groaning with each step. The wind was flowing gratefully, brushing slightly the night's heat away.

When she reached the top, she heard a distant crash and turned behind her to see a fire commotion at the soldiers' camp. The chaos had started, but she had to focus on the task at hand. The control panel was a mess of wires and buttons and she could just use the pistol to fire it up. But she didn't want to make any sound with that now, nor did she know if it'd work

She forced a flame to dance on her palm and threw it at the plastic tools first, watching as it grew like a fiery hungry beast, spreading over the plastic and metal. "Oh, shit," Regan whispered, her eyes widening with fear. If she stayed here any longer, the tower would explode.

She used the grappling hook to swing down from the tower, the wind rushing past her ears as she heard the iron structure groan and crack above her. She landed on her feet and quickly ran away, jerking the hook free from the tower's side. The tower's upper half was now engulfed in flames, lightening up the night like a second sun. The fire spread over to the neighboring tower before the sound of explosion boomed through the whole area, sending a shockwave of fireworks.

Pollux was still there, his eyes widening at the sight. It didn't need a lot of thought to realize the camp had been alerted. "Incredible," he murmured, "Now to the military base."

Regan nodded, her heart pounding like a drum with adrenaline. Raven was ahead already, her group moving swiftly through the underbrush. The military base was closer than Regan had thought, the small fires from the rebels' sabotage efforts already visible in the distance.

They reached the base's perimeter and Raven signaled for them to be silent. The guards were in a state of shock, some running towards the communication towers, others trying to figure out where the danger was coming from. Regan felt a mix of dread and excitement.

They reached to the first checkpoint, and Raven took out her knife with swift movements. She dispatched the guards with a cold detachment before they could even raise their weapons. Regan felt bile rise in her throat, but she forced it down. "Follow me inside," Raven whispered.

The inside of the base had been quiet, the only guards were the one's outside. But as soon as the two women slipped inside, a loud alarm began to ring, shutting off for a while the frantic sounds of the havoc outside. They had been caught totally off guard, not expecting such an attack.

They reached the military supplies quarters like shadows, Raven silently pointing at the chained doors for Regan to unlock. She acted swiftly and Raven burst them open with the butt of her rifle, "You're going to set them all on fire," she said, nodding at the supplies, "and then you'll find me up at the intel room."

Regan nodded quickly and looked through the doors, her eyes widening as she realized Raven's plan was to burn everything down. "Oh My God," Regan whispered to herself. If she burnt a single thing there, the whole military base would go up in flames. The loud alarm was grating on her nerves.

But now she had gotten in this deep, there was no turning back. And Raven had already went up the stairs, her figure disappearing into the shadows. With a deep breath, Regan fired a small piece of wood she found on the ground and didn't wait for the explosion. She sprinted up the stairs, the smell of burning plastic already filling up her nostrils. She found Raven standing near a door, her hand sharply motioning for Regan to come.

"We have to get out of here as quick as possible!" Regan hissed as she reached Raven's side. "What if there are people stuck here?" she asked frantically, trying to catch her breath.

Raven's gaze was intense as she kicked the Intel's door open, revealing a room full of computers, live wires, maps and other devices, "No one stays here at night," she assured, "just the guards and I already took care of them. Now burn."

Regan nodded, her eyes following Raven as she broke one of the windows, making an escape plan for them both. Regan lit up a piece of fabric she had brought with her and tossed it into the room. Raven grabbed her arm and the grappling hook, using it to swing them both out of the window. The fabric set the room ablaze as they landed outside, the smoke coiling around them like a serpent.

The chaos was a living monster now, the tents and barracks burning from top to bottom, the sounds of the gunshots and explosions from the base the symphony of destruction.

And then, from the largest tent, emerged the general, his face a mix of shock and horror, "What the hell is going on here?" he bellowed, his hands trembling as he took in impossible sight.

The lieutenant arrived there quickly, her once arrogant and mocking stance, replied now with a look of fear and panic, "Sir, we're under attack! They've disabled the communication towers!" she shouted, "And some rebels are here, in the camp! But they can't just have burnt the base down, it's impossible!"

The officers rushed to the general's side, babbling about a 'Northian' group that had infiltrated in. But the general's head was spinning, his thoughts racing faster than the flames licking at the base of his tent. "Shut up!" he roared, silencing them all. "Crush them down! Bring backup!" he ordered, his voice shaking with rage as the officers rushed outside, "What the hell are you looking at!"

The lieutenant took a deep breath, her eyes darting from the general to the inferno behind them, "Sir, we don't have what to crush," she hissed, more of a snap than a trembling whisper, "The rebels are being taken down, but the military base, it's exploding! What are we going to tell the emperor?"

The general's eyes grew wide with fear. But before he could answer, Regan and Raven burst inside, "Send our regards to your emperor," Raven said, a smug smirk on her face.

The general's eyes were wide with shock, the sight of Regan confirming his already suspicions about her, "You are a traitor!" he shouted, his hand reaching for his weapon, but Regan was faster. She cast a protective shield around them, making the general stumble back.

"Call the assassins," the general whispered to the nearest officer, his voice turned lethal. The officer didn't need another word before flying out of the tent. The lieutenant was still standing there, not trying to protect the general or attacking either.

"So you really were something different, red," she raised an eyebrow, stepping near her with a smirk, "A spy, a rebel, a witch."

"Leave, woman," Raven snarled at the lieutenant, her gaze never leaving the general, who was now raising his hands up in a placating gesture.

"Now, now," his voice had turned surprisingly negotiative, "We're all trapped here," he said, his eyes lingering on the visible shield Regan had made, "We're all under a common enemy, aren't we?"

Regan felt a knot in her stomach. Was he playing or was he going to really betray Sirius? "Raven, wait," she whispered, but Raven was already advancing, her riffle pointing at him, "We're not here to bargain," she spat. The lieutenant was still watching with crossed arms, her eyes narrowed as she observed the situation.

The smoke had reached the tent, both literally and figuratively, "You think you'll escape unharmed from this?" he sneered, "He's going to kill us all!"

"I'm not afraid of anyone," Raven retorted, her voice steady, "Least of all, that cowardly emperor of yours."

The lieutenant chuckled, stepping aside, "You're so pathetic," she said with a mocking smile, "You all say that behind his back, but when he's in front of you, you beg for mercy like worms."

"Not me," Regan shot back, her eyes flashing with defiance, "I've faced him before and I'll face him again."

The lieutenant's expression shifted, her smirk faltering, "You've faced the emperor?" she asked incredulously.

Suddenly, a group of masked soldiers rushed into the tent, their deadly weapons raised and ready to attack. Their looks were even more terrifying than the fire outside, eyes dark with a lethality that was unmistakable.

"Wait, guys," the lieutenant said, temporarily halting them. The general's eyes shot at her, his teeth gritted in fury, "Red here says she's faced the emperor," she gestured to Regan, "You've got guts, I'll give you that."

"Kill them both!" the general roared, motioning for the assassins to begin their operation. The men began to shoot in hail, Regan's barrier blocking their bullets. But she knew it couldn't hold for long. 

With a sudden move, Raven shifted from her spot and disabled one of the men, while Regan shot the tents fabric, the flame burning it with ease. She turned back to the assassins and struck them with fire. 

The general and lieutenant had escaped the tent, they realized, but the assassins were relentless. One of them dropped a timing bomb and Regan quickly grabbed Raven's arm to drag her outside.

The bombs nearly exploded on their feet, but not before Regan hit the lamp, sending sparks of fire above the armed men. She and Raven managed to get out unharmed. 

The camp had turned to an inferno, fire and smoke moving together in a dance of tango alongside the wind. Soldiers and rebels, Regan didn't know anymore, some were fighting, some laying on the ground. She hoped they were still alive.

Suddenly, a gunshot pierced through the smoke and Regan felt Raven's grip on her loosen. She looked down to see her falling on her knees, a bullet wound somewhere near her chest. Regan's eyes widened with horror when she saw the general standing there with his gun, "You think you can win against me?" he sneered, aiming for Regan. 

But she blocked the attack and shot him with a bolt of fire, sending him slam against a barrack. She focused on Raven. "Raven, no!" she cried out.

"I.... I'm fine," Raven managed to say, her hand reaching to her wound, "I'm wearing a bulletproof vest."

"Thank God," Regan said, glancing up to see Iris, her face pale as she saw the general.

"You said you were going to leave him alive!" she shouted at her.

"Shut up!" Regan hissed.

Iris shouted again, "You said the general wasn't going to be harmed!" 

Regan didn't answer but she couldn't understand how Iris was worried about the general right now. There were many other people dying probably and she was worried about that bastard. She wanted to knock Iris out but Raven started to stand slightly from the ground.

The general managed to gather himself, some men approaching him and explaining the situation, while he looked at Iris. Their military base, communication towers and supplies were all destroyed, soldiers and guards were killed by rebels. The general still couldn't believe what he was hearing. 

"Where's the lieutenant?" he roared, his eyes sweeping the chaos around him.

"She probably escaped, sir," a scared soldier reported, his eyes darting around the destruction.

"Then, we escape too!" the general bellowed, pushing the trembling soldier aside.

"What are we going to tell the emperor, sir?!" another officer yelled, "That some women blew out the camp? He's gonna skin us alive!"

"To hell with the emperor!" the general spat out, his mind racing, "As for what to tell," he pointed at Regan, "Report that it was them, a mad witch with fire powers and a rogue rebel leader. And that douchebag too," he added, nodding at Jack, who had appeared from flames. "Give every single fucking detail about them and now, let's get the hell out of here!" He yelled in urgency, "Everyone, fall back and retreat!"

Before leaving, the general paused and looked at Regan, who had still her protective barrier. "You're gonna die, witch. Mark my words." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving behind a trail of destruction and despair.

Raven was standing, her breath coming out in short pants as she glared at the retreating figures, "We can't let them go!" she snarled, trying to walk.

"Raven, no, you're wounded," Regan said, motioning for Iris to come and help her. Iris didn't move at first but then came, looking at Regan with both fear and frustration.

"Well, Iris, that's what you meant when you wanted a rebellion, right?" Regan said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice as she gestured to smoke and fire dancing around them, "People dying and suffering just because-"

"Just because of what? Because of justice?" Iris snapped back, "How do you know they haven't died before? And they're not fragile flowers, Cornelia. They knew what they were doing. And I don't care about Sirius at all, I care that I did something about my homeland, that I made them surrender," she pointed at the distance.

Regan watched her for a moment, taking a deep breath, "Jack, are there any doctors here?" she called out over the smoke, seeing how some soldiers and rebels were helping their comrades.

"Yeah," Jack responded, his eyes scanning around the area, "They're arriving.

The remaining soldiers and the rebels looked at Regan with a mix of fear and awe, "We need to help them," she said, more urgently.

"I'll help," one of the soldiers said, stepping forward. Others followed suit. "We'll stay and help the wounded," they said. 

Regan turned to Raven, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Raven managed, "You fight well, red," she said with a hint of smile. "Tell them to find my brothers."

"You heard her, Iris," Regan said, trying to not speak harshly to her. She looked around, seeing other people arriving in aid. She prayed they'd be fine.

Jack approached, his face full of sweat, "Your brothers are fine," he assured, "They're wounded but they're fine."

Regan stood up, trying to find a shred of air, a space to think. She knew what was going to happen, but she also hadn't been ignoring the possible outcomes of the rebellion. It was just that most of it had come from her own fire, her own destructive fire.

She didn't know what to think of herself. That it had worked and the general had abandoned the camp, or that the rebellion was the reason for another war, a more dangerous and cruel one. 

"Look, Cornelia, these people have thick skin," Jack said, noting Regan's sour expression, "And don't think we weren't prepared for this. But we wouldn't have done anything without your help."

Maybe he was right. They were strong. They could survive. But could she survive? She didn't want to go back to him. But he had a way to do it. He always had. He would find a way to make her suffer.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have talked like that," she said to Iris, trying to ignore the heat from both the fire and whatever had happened. "But you can't just worry about that bastard."

Iris sniffled, "I know. I just....got carried away. It's not your fault. We're in this together, remember?"

"Well, I don't want to make this worse, but they've closed all the borders," a young man, a rebel said, his voice heavy with despair. "They're saying Sirius is on his way." The news spread through the people like wildfire, each face paling at the thought of what was to come.

Iris gripped Regan's arm tightly, "What are we going to do?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"We're going to deal with it," Regan retorted coldly.