Chapter 204: Shadows of Retaliation

Night fell over the battlefield, casting long shadows over the bodies of the fallen. Despite the coalition's victory against the Shadow Battalion, the air remained heavy with tension. Mira knew this was just the beginning—Kaelen wouldn't take this defeat lightly.

Inside the sanctuary, the war council convened once more. Soldiers rested in the halls, their wounds being tended, while Mira, Solen, Erynn, and Elara gathered around the map table.

Solen spoke first, his voice firm but tinged with weariness. "The Shadow Battalion is destroyed, but we've exposed ourselves. Kaelen will retaliate swiftly."

"He's already preparing," Mira said, her tone grim. "His reinforcements arrived too quickly for this to have been a simple skirmish. He's been planning something larger."

Elara, her face pale from the energy she'd expended earlier, leaned against the wall. "We bought ourselves some time, but we need to strike before Kaelen regroups."

Erynn smirked, her daggers glinting in the low light. "And how do you propose we do that? March into his fortress and knock on the door?"

Mira looked up from the map, her eyes blazing. "Not his door—his supply lines. If we sever his resources, we cripple his army."

Talen's Proposal

Before the council could finalize their plans, a knock sounded at the door. It was the guards, escorting Talen. His hands were still bound, but his expression was composed, almost defiant.

"What do you want?" Erynn snapped, her hand drifting to her weapon.

Talen glanced at Mira. "To help. If you're serious about striking Kaelen, you'll need more than brute force. I know his supply routes, his weak points. Let me prove I'm worth more alive than locked in a cell."

The room fell silent. Erynn rolled her eyes. "And we're supposed to trust you? After you sold us out?"

Talen met her glare without flinching. "You don't have to trust me. But I know things you don't, and if you want a chance at winning, you'll listen."

Mira studied him carefully, her instincts warring with her need for an edge. Finally, she nodded. "You'll guide us. But if you so much as hesitate, Erynn has my permission to deal with you."

Erynn grinned wickedly. "Oh, I'd be delighted."

A Dangerous Expedition

Talen's information led them deep into Kaelen's territory, where his army's main supply routes crossed treacherous mountain passes. Mira led a small, elite team—herself, Erynn, Solen, Elara, and Talen. Speed and stealth were critical.

The journey was perilous. The mountains were bitterly cold, with jagged cliffs and narrow trails that left little room for error. At night, the group huddled close to their fires, speaking in hushed tones.

"You sure this isn't a trap?" Solen whispered to Mira as they kept watch one night.

"I don't trust him," Mira admitted, glancing at Talen, who was asleep by the fire. "But if he's telling the truth, this could change everything."

The Supply Convoy

Three days into their journey, they reached the edge of a dense forest overlooking the mountain pass. Below them, Kaelen's supply convoy moved slowly, heavily guarded by soldiers and beasts of war.

"There," Talen said, pointing. "Those wagons are carrying food, weapons, and spell cores for his mages. Destroy them, and it'll set his army back for weeks."

Erynn squinted at the convoy. "Heavy guards, magical wards... This won't be easy."

Mira nodded. "We don't need to destroy all of it. If we hit the lead and rear wagons, the rest will be stuck here, easy prey for the environment and scavengers."

Elara began preparing magical charges, her fingers glowing faintly as she worked. "Give me an hour. These will disable the wards long enough for us to strike."

The Assault

Under the cover of darkness, the group descended into the valley. Elara's charges detonated with a brilliant flash, shattering the magical wards protecting the convoy.

Chaos erupted as Mira and her team attacked. Solen's arrows found their marks, taking down guards before they could react. Erynn darted between the shadows, her daggers cutting throats with deadly precision.

Mira led the charge against the lead wagon, her blade clashing with the convoy captain's. Their duel was fierce, but Mira's determination won out as she drove her sword through his chest.

Talen proved his worth, using his knowledge of Kaelen's tactics to outmaneuver the enemy. He guided Elara to the rear wagon, where her magic obliterated its contents in a fiery explosion.

By the time the guards regrouped, the convoy was in ruins. The team retreated into the forest, their mission a success.

A Fractured Alliance

Back at their temporary camp, tensions flared once again.

"That was too easy," Erynn said, glaring at Talen. "They were under-guarded for something so vital. Care to explain?"

Talen raised his hands defensively. "Maybe Kaelen underestimated you. Or maybe his forces are stretched thin."

"Or maybe this was a setup," Solen muttered.

Mira intervened, her tone sharp. "Enough. We succeeded, and that's what matters. But we stay vigilant—Kaelen won't let this go unanswered."

Kaelen's Wrath

In his fortress, Kaelen stood before Vyn, fury radiating from him.

"They destroyed the convoy?" Kaelen growled.

"Yes, my lord," Vyn replied, bowing low. "The coalition grows bolder."

Kaelen clenched his fists, his voice deadly calm. "Then it's time we remind them why they fear me. Prepare the Revenant Legion."

Vyn's eyes widened. "The Revenant Legion? But my lord—"

"Do it," Kaelen snapped. "Mira and her rebellion will learn the cost of defiance."

As Vyn left, Kaelen gazed out at the night sky, his eyes narrowing. "You've made your move, Mira. Now it's my turn."