Crossing over into enemy lines

Deep in the forest, Aayam stealthily advanced behind enemy lines, aiming to infiltrate the hostile territory and gather crucial information in a besieged Sigilla city. Accompanied by a team tasked with intelligence gathering, Aayam was not alone in this perilous mission.

Prior to assigning Aayam this critical task, the operation commander outlined the plan for the volunteers. As the Nessus army engaged the enemy forces in battle, the volunteers' primary objective was to rescue civilians, buying precious time for their forces to regroup. Some volunteers skilled in swordsmanship joined the front lines, while those proficient in magic remained to safeguard the camp under a protective barrier to evade enemy detection.

Amidst the preparations, a green-skinned man with a single horn, part of the commander's entourage, approached and directed certain volunteers to specific tasks, further fine-tuning the strategy for the impending mission.

It was then green daemon came up to Aayam, interrupting his discussion with Lilith and Lessly about their upcoming search for Mr. Balder.

Upon seeing the expression on the green daemon's face, Aayam sensed unease, suspecting that the daemon might have discerned his true identity as a human.

Despite his misgivings, Aayam followed the daemon to a tent where he encountered other beings resembling humans. The daemon who led him there positioned himself at a distance before addressing the gathered individuals.

***********************

Thus, Aayam found himself assigned to a different squad, keeping the true nature of his mission hidden from Lilith and Emma. Clad in armor salvaged from fallen enemy soldiers, Aayam joined a group of five individuals under the guidance of the greenhorn's superior.

As they neared the former city of Sibilla, now an enemy stronghold, the squad leader gathered the scouting team in a desolate town overlooking the city.

"Everyone has arrived without incident," the leader noted, prompting nods of agreement from the group. "Let us blend in before we proceed. You may begin," the leader gestured to the man on the left.

"I am Risa, a scorched demon," one introduced himself.

"Crabel, a stone fort," another followed.

"I go by Cancer, the midnight reaper," the third member introduced.

"Swredyes, a car bell," the fourth member announced.

Lastly, it was Aayam's turn to share. "I am Aayam Ajax, a hybrid," he revealed, concealing his true intentions by claiming he required a moniker yet to be determined.

"I see, encountering a hybrid is indeed rare. I am Spoken, and I will lead this mission," the leader introduced himself as the squad gathered, exchanging names.

"Now that we are acquainted, we shall divide into pairs," Spoken continued. "Risa and Cancer, gather intelligence on their battle tactics, supplies, and provisions. Eapen and Aayam, ascertain the origin and numbers of their forces, while identifying their commanders. Carbel and I will secure a base near the city."

"Understood!" echoed the group in unison, acknowledging their assignments.

As they entered the dilapidated city of Sibilla, signs of destruction were evident, with buildings in disarray and the ground stained with dried blood. Clad in enemy armor, the group discreetly made their way towards Sigilla, splitting into pairs to fulfill their respective tasks.

In the district explored by Carbel and Spoken, known as the slums, they navigated cautiously through the bustling enemy presence, observing looting and occupation of homes and shops previously belonging to the city's inhabitants.

"These people are nothing but threats and killers," Charbel remarked, his tone filled with disdain.

"I understand how you feel, but let's not forget our mission here," Spoken replied calmly.

The two men arrived at the slums in the city. Surprisingly, there were not many enemy soldiers around, as the area was surrounded by well-built structures, including large homes. The slums were in a state of disrepair and filth.

It seemed that the residents of these hoodlums had neglected to invest in their city. In Nessus, underground shelters had been constructed in some of the cities, including Sibilla, for various purposes such as storage and emergency refuge in times of invasion or danger. The citizens would seek safety in these shelters until the knights dealt with the threat, or they could escape through secret tunnels known only to the city lord and his advisors.

Having gathered information from the city lords' aides, Spoken and Charbel made their way to one of these secret passages. Approaching a large square, they found a pillar at the center. Spoken discovered a hidden switch behind a snake carving, which revealed a path leading down to the shelter. After ensuring they were not being followed, Charbel and Spoken performed a final check before descending into the shelter.

************

In the dark shelter, Spoken cast a spell to illuminate the room, revealing a chaotic scene with broken supplies and furniture strewn about. Drawing their swords from their sheaths, Spoken and Charbel cautiously surveyed the area, wary of any hidden threats lurking beyond the doors and in the shadows.

The two men remained on high alert, knowing the significance of the underground shelter to the city of Sigilla. Even in the event of the city's capture, the shelter must be preserved for future use.

"Did you find anything, Charbel?" Spoken inquired.

"No, sir... wait a moment," Charbel responded, prompting Spoken to investigate.

"Blood, sir, and a significant amount of it," Charbel reported.

"Any bodies?" Spoken asked.

"No, sir. We should find a new hiding spot," Charbel suggested.

"Agreed, let's—" Spoken began, but before he could finish, they sensed a gathering of magical energy behind them. Reacting swiftly, Spoken and Charbel dodged a fiery spell that could have incinerated them, turning to face their assailant, Derek Shen.

As men emerged from one of the entrances, dressed similarly to Spoken and Charbel, except for one.

"Who are you people? Why did you attack us?" Charbel demanded, his hand on his sword hilt.

"Charbel, I don't believe these individuals are our allies," Spoken remarked, prompting a shift in their defensive stance. As they prepared for further confrontation, the enemy, led by Sorensen, launched an attack.

The sorcerer who had cast the fire spell addressed the two warriors in a language unknown to Spoken and Charbel, leaving them perplexed.

Taking a moment to compose himself, Spoken attempted to communicate with the adversaries. "My name is..."

Interrupting him, one of the knights shouted, demanding that they speak in their language.

Frustrated by the lack of understanding, tensions rose between the two parties. The enemy soldiers seemed intent on insulting Spoken and Charbel, goaded on by their commander who held a conversation with a subordinate amidst the chaos.

"//////."

"//////."

"/////!"

The knights closed in on Spoken and Charbel, sensing the urgency in their commander's orders. It was clear they needed to make a swift exit and regroup with their allies. The enemy soldiers advanced menacingly, their weapons drawn.

"Listen, flames, hold back my foes with a wall of fire!" Spoken commanded, conjuring a barrier of flames that halted the knights' advance.

"Let's go! That spell won't hold for long," Charbel urged, kicking down a nearby door. They dashed down the corridor just as the wall of fire dissipated.

The enemy soldiers gave chase, their shouts echoing behind Spoken and Charbel as they escaped.