Chapter 17: Aftermath

Squad Seven sat at the edge of the road, their breathing heavy and strained as they took in the grim scene around them. Only five of them were left: Lyra, Jade, Ethan, Elijah, and Garret. Blood still pooled beneath the lifeless bodies of their comrades, Rylan and the four others who had fought valiantly but fell to the deadly ambush. The air was thick with the stench of death, the dismembered remains of their assailants scattered across the bend in the path.

Ethan clenched his fists, the weight of the loss pressing down on him. The reality of their situation was harsh and unforgiving. Even though three of their squad mates had seemed treatable at first, the poison that had laced the crossbow bolts proved to be merciless, claiming their lives before any help could reach them.

"We have to keep moving," Garret finally said, his voice tight with barely restrained emotion. "We can't stay here. We need to report back... let them know what happened."

Elijah nodded, his face pale but determined. "Rylan wouldn't want us to just sit here. We owe it to him... to all of them, to see this through."

Lyra and Jade exchanged glances, both clearly shaken but resolute. "Let's make sure their deaths weren't in vain," Lyra whispered, her voice trembling but filled with resolve.

Ethan looked down at Rylan's body, his thoughts a mix of grief and rage. He knew that they had to be stronger, smarter, and more prepared for whatever else might come their way. But for now, they had to survive and make sure that what happened here would never be forgotten.

"Let's go," Ethan finally said, standing up and preparing to lead what was left of Squad Seven back to Horizon's Keep. The journey back would be a long and painful one, but they were determined to honor the memory of their fallen comrades and continue the fight.

The guards stationed outside Horizon Keep were the first to spot the bloodied and weary remnants of Squad Seven as they approached the gates. Seeing their uniforms stained with blood and their faces etched with exhaustion and grief, the guards quickly rushed over to offer assistance.

"Are you alright? What happened?" one of the guards asked, his voice filled with concern as he helped support Lyra, who was visibly shaking.

Ethan, still trying to process the loss of Rylan and the others, took a deep breath before answering. "We were ambushed... twice. Rylan and four others... they didn't make it."

The guards exchanged grave looks, their expressions hardening. After ensuring the five surviving members of Squad Seven were physically stable, they quickly activated their communication talismans. The magical devices hummed with energy as messages were sent out to the royal knights and mages, summoning them to the site of the ambush.

"We need to secure the area and retrieve the bodies of your fallen comrades," one of the guards said, his tone respectful yet firm. "A group of royal knights and mages will meet us there shortly. You've been through enough; we'll take it from here."

Garret, his voice heavy with emotion, responded, "Just make sure those responsible are brought to justice."

The guard nodded solemnly. "We will. Your bravery will be honored, and we'll make sure everyone knows what happened out there."

As the guards moved to organize the retrieval operation, Ethan and the others were gently led into the keep, where they would finally have a chance to rest and recover. The weight of what they had endured lingered heavily over them, but they knew they had done everything they could. Now, it was up to the royal knights and mages to ensure that Rylan and the others did not die in vain.

The fort commander of Horizon Keep was a tall, broad-shouldered man named Commander Varus. His stern face was framed by short, graying hair, and his piercing blue eyes carried the weight of countless battles. A scar ran down the left side of his face, a testament to his years on the front lines. His presence alone demanded respect, and as he stood behind his desk, his very stance conveyed an air of authority that left no room for doubt.

Squad 7, still reeling from the loss of their comrades, gathered before him. Ethan, Lyra, Jade, Elijah, and Garret were all that remained of their once ten-strong team. Their uniforms were stained with blood, the memories of the ambush still fresh in their minds.

Commander Varus didn't waste time with pleasantries. "We've found a common tattoo on all the attackers," he began, his voice as hard as the stone walls surrounding them. "It marks them as a team of assassins employed by the neighboring kingdom. Their sole purpose is to sow discord and weaken us from within."

The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation settled in. The assassins were not just random bandits or deserters—they were part of an organized effort to destabilize the kingdom, and Squad 7 had been caught in the crossfire.

Commander Varus looked each of them in the eye, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Ethan. "You've all been through hell, and I won't pretend that what you've faced isn't enough to break most people. But you're still here, and that counts for something."

He took a breath before delivering the final blow. "With Rylan gone, Squad 7 needs a new leader. It's not an easy choice, but it's one that must be made. I suggest you take the night to discuss it among yourselves. By morning, I expect to hear who you've chosen."

With that, he dismissed them, leaving Squad 7 to their thoughts. The loss of Rylan and their comrades weighed heavily on them, but the choice of a new leader was a decision they couldn't avoid. They would have to come together, even in their grief, to choose someone who could guide them through the challenges ahead.

After leaving Commander Varus's office, the remaining members of Squad 7 trudged silently to the chow hall. The weight of their loss hung heavily in the air, and the usual clamor of the cafeteria seemed muffled as if echoing their inner turmoil.

The five of them—Ethan, Lyra, Jade, Elijah, and Garret—found a quiet corner, away from the bustle of the other soldiers. They sat around a table, their faces drawn and tired. The empty plates and untouched food before them were forgotten as they turned their focus to the pressing matter at hand: choosing a new leader.

Elijah broke the silence first, his voice low but resolute. "We need to be realistic about this. We've lost a lot, and we can't afford to make the wrong choice. Rylan led us well, but we need someone who can fill those shoes and help us pull through this."

Garret nodded in agreement, his gaze steady. "We've all seen what each of us is capable of. It's not just about strength or skill—it's about trust and leadership. Who can we rely on to make the tough calls?"

Lyra's eyes were thoughtful as she spoke. "Ethan's been through more than any of us realize. He's shown leadership qualities in the field, and he's managed to keep us together even when things got rough."

Jade, ever perceptive, added, "Ethan also has a way of keeping his cool under pressure. We've seen him handle situations that could have turned out a lot worse. Maybe he's the right choice."

Ethan, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, but this isn't just about me. We all need to be on the same page. If we're going to make this work, it has to be with full support from everyone."

Elijah leaned forward, his expression serious. "We need to think about who will make the best decisions for us as a squad. Who can bring us together and lead us through what's coming?"

Garret spoke up again, his tone more determined. "We can't just focus on who's most capable now. We need someone who can guide us through the aftermath of Rylan's loss and keep us moving forward."

The conversation continued, each member of Squad 7 weighing their own thoughts and feelings. As they debated, it became clear that the decision wasn't just about choosing a leader—it was about finding a way to move forward and honor the memory of their fallen comrades.

After a long discussion, they reached a consensus. Ethan, despite his own reservations, was chosen to lead Squad 7. The decision wasn't just based on his skills or past actions but on the belief that he could bring the squad together and lead them through the difficult times ahead.

As they left the chow hall, the gravity of their decision settled in. Ethan would now bear the weight of leadership, and Squad 7 would have to forge ahead, united in their purpose and resolve.

The somber atmosphere of Horizon Keep was a stark contrast to the usual bustle of military life. After the recent tragedy, the remaining members of Squad 7 were granted a week of respite to recover and regroup. The mood was a mix of sorrow and determination as they navigated through their days, each grappling with their new reality and the loss of their comrades.

Ethan, in particular, used this time to focus on a crucial aspect of his abilities. He knew that the squad's survival in the future would hinge on their collective strength and coordination. To bolster their chances, he decided to expand his repertoire of Shades. This time, he planned to create four additional Shades that would not drain his own energy but would instead reside in the shadows of his squadmates.

As the week unfolded, Ethan approached each of his squadmates to discuss their magical abilities. They gathered in a secluded corner of the barracks, away from prying eyes, to share their insights and strategies.

Garret was the first to speak. "My gravity manipulation is pretty straightforward. I can increase or decrease the gravity around me, which can be useful both offensively and defensively. But it takes a lot of focus to maintain it for extended periods."

Elijah nodded, his telekinesis always a subject of fascination. "I can move objects with my mind and even manipulate the trajectory of things in flight. It's useful for combat and for moving things out of the way, but the more I move, the more concentration it requires."

Lyra, with her ability to manipulate illusions, spoke next. "I can create and control illusions, making things appear or disappear. It's not just visual—I can affect sounds and even smells. It's useful for deception and distraction, but it can be tricky to maintain multiple illusions at once."

Jade, known for her mimicry, explained her unique power. "I can imitate other people's abilities, but only for a short time. It's useful for adapting to different situations and using the skills of others in the heat of battle. I need to be careful, though, because I can only mimic what I've seen directly."

With the understanding of their abilities firmly established, Ethan set about the task of creating the new Shades. These Shades were different from the ones he had summoned before; they would be placed in the shadows of his squadmates rather than his own. This meant that they would not add to his personal strain but would still provide the benefits of his Shade's capabilities.

As Ethan worked on this, he found a quiet spot in the training grounds where he could focus without interruption. He summoned the four new Shades, each one taking up residence in the shadows of Garret, Elijah, Lyra, and Jade. The process was meticulous, and Ethan made sure to ensure that these Shades would not interfere with their hosts but rather enhance their effectiveness in various situations.

Once completed, the new Shades blended seamlessly into their assigned shadows, providing Ethan with a sense of security and added strength for his squad. With their abilities augmented by these new Shades, Squad 7 felt a renewed sense of readiness as they prepared to return to their rigorous training.

The week off allowed them time to heal and strengthen their resolve. As they resumed their training, Ethan, now officially the leader of Squad 7, was determined to lead them with both strength and compassion. The loss of their comrades had only solidified their bond, and they were more united than ever, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.