Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Léonard looked at William's condition and sighed toward the operators of Resh-1: "Well, gentlemen, at least we now know what's happening in the village. They're likely under attack, and judging by the violence, I can assume it's a major armed group."

Alexei stepped closer and turned to Léonard: "Boss, we can't take the risk. They're clearly more numerous than we are. From here, I can sense more than 200 EVE signatures that weren't there yesterday. We need to escape as quickly as possible and avoid any confrontation."

Léonard turned his head toward the plumes of smoke rising from the village, then looked back at William, deep in thought. All the operators waited in silence, anticipating their leader's decision.

Finally, Léonard sighed. "We're not going to save them. But we do need to retrieve the book we found at William's place. That book might help us learn the local language and, perhaps, uncover critical information about this island."

Alexei considered for a moment before responding. "Boss, it could work. We could create a diversion in the forest to draw the majority of their forces away. Meanwhile, we can use the two reality benders to cloak the presence of a small team, two or three people tops. They can infiltrate the village, recover the books, especially the translation book, and escape. We'll regroup near the river afterward."

Leonard paused for a few seconds before speaking:

"This plan looks solid. Okay, everyone, listen up. We're going to split into two teams. The two reality benders and I will serve as the infiltration team, we'll approach from the south side of the village. Alexei, you will lead the diversion team, using only guerrilla tactics. Listen carefully to the plan because we won't be able to communicate after this, so set a timer on your watches. At the start of the operation, the diversion team will have 60 minutes to set as many traps as possible throughout the forest. Meanwhile, my group and I will circle around to the south and plan our infiltration and extraction route into the village. Once the 60 minutes have elapsed, commence hostilities, lure as many enemies as possible into the forest and kill as many as you can. My team will then use that distraction to break in. After 45 minutes of guerrilla combat, head toward the river in the northwest, where we have established a temporary camp, then follow the river downstream to the south. We'll be waiting there. Then we regroup and get the hell out of here."

Alexei protested: "Boss, you'll be too exposed. It's better for you to stay in the back, your life is our top priority."

Leonard replied with a calm yet determined tone: "Your loyalty means a lot to me, Alexei, but sometimes risks must be taken. No risk, no reward."

Alexei straightened up, his expression a mix of reluctance and respect: "Yes, boss."

One of the operators called out:

"Ahem, boss. What do we do with this guy ?" he asked, pointing at William with his thumb.

Leonard opened his mouth to answer, but Alexei interjected first:

"We leave him behind. He'll just be dead weight."

Leonard turned sharply toward him, his tone ice-cold:

"Excuse me ? Who gives the orders here, Alexei ? You or me ? We're not abandoning him."

Alexei paled slightly but clenched his jaw, his voice tense as he responded:

"Boss, we're heading straight into a battlefield. If we bring him along, he'll hinder our effectiveness. Worse, he'll be in even more danger with us than staying here."

Leonard's mind churned with conflicting thoughts, torn between his moral duty and his responsibility to the mission. He didn't want to leave William alone in the forest, but dragging him along might jeopardize the entire team. After a long pause, he finally let out a frustrated sigh and said:

"Fine. We leave him here."

Leonard looked at William, who was still unconscious and slumped against the tree. His expression softened for a moment as he knelt down, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder. He muttered under his breath, almost as if speaking to himself:

"Stay alive."

Then, standing back up, Leonard turned to his team, his voice firm once more:

"Move out. Let's stick to the plan."

Everyone activated their chronometers, and after a brief nod, the two teams parted ways. Alexei led his group into the thick forest, pausing for a moment to glance back at William. With a heavy sigh, he muttered to himself:

"Well, the boss took pity on you. Too bad fate has other plans."

He turned and disappeared into the shadows with his team.

Moments later, the bushes in front of William began to rustle. From the underbrush emerged a creature resembling a wolf, its back bristling with razor-sharp spines. The beast sniffed the air, drawn by the scent of blood. Its piercing gaze fell on William, slumped and bleeding against the tree. The wolf let out a chilling howl, and more emerged from the darkness, their glowing eyes locked on their prey.

Some of the creatures foamed at the mouth, saliva dripping in long strands as they growled hungrily. Without hesitation, the pack charged toward their helpless target, snarling and snapping.

The noise jolted William awake, his vision blurry and disoriented. As he saw the wolves rushing toward him, his heart seized in terror, and he let out a panicked scream.

The first wolf lunged, its powerful jaws clamping down on his throat. The force crushed his windpipe instantly, silencing his cries and ending his life in a blur of pain and blood. The forest fell eerily silent once more, save for the gruesome sounds of the pack feasting.

---

Leonard and the two reality benders lay hidden behind tall grass, their bodies pressed low against the ground as they observed the chaotic scene unfolding in the village below. The flames painted the sky with a dark orange glow, casting long shadows that danced menacingly across the terrain. Smoke billowed upward, and Leonard could make out the silhouettes of massive, bird-like creatures circling the inferno.

Mounted on these creatures were knights clad in White armor, their gleaming weapons catching the light of the flames. Their movements were precise, their commands carried out with deadly efficiency.

One of the operators, designated as Operator 3, murmured softly:

"The winged riders."

Operator 7 adjusted his position slightly, his voice just above a whisper:

"Boss, these guys aren't here just to raid a village. This looks like a coordinated purge."

Leonard didn't respond immediately. His sharp gaze remained locked on the scene below, analyzing every detail. His mind raced with possible strategies. Finally, he whispered back:

"They're thorough, I'll give them that. But something feels off… Look."

He pointed toward the far edge of the village, where several cultists dragged terrified villagers into the open square. The knights didn't seem to acknowledge the cultists, focusing solely on maintaining order and guarding the skies.

Operator 3 frowned.

"They're not working together ?"

Leonard shook his head.

"No, it's more like… they're ignoring them. The knights are here for something else. I think they might be here for us."

He turned to his team.

"Keep low. We move when Alexei's team starts the distraction. 3, monitor their flight patterns. 7, stay sharp for any EVE spikes or distortions. We need to get in, grab what we came for, and get out before anyone notices us."

The two operators nodded silently. Leonard adjusted the strap of his weapon, his thoughts lingering on the fiery devastation and the ominous figures dominating the village.

"Let's move when the distraction hits," he whispered, steeling himself for the task ahead.

The team led by Leonard remained perfectly still, hidden in the tall grass as they observed the chaos in the burning village. Flames crackled, the smell of smoke and ash thick in the air, punctuated by distant screams and orders barked by cultists. The massive, birdlike mounts of the winged knights perched ominously throughout the village, their riders scanning the area with unsettling vigilance.

Leonard's sharp gaze darted across the scene, analyzing patterns, waiting for the right moment. Beside him, Operators 3 and 7 were equally tense, their breaths quiet and measured as they lay prone, concealed by the natural cover.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion shattered the tense stillness of the night. A brilliant flash of light erupted from deep within the forest, illuminating the blackened sky and casting long, flickering shadows across the village. The sheer force of the blast sent a shockwave through the ground, vibrating the air around them and even disturbing the flames in the distance.

Leonard's heart skipped a beat as he instinctively turned his head toward the source. The explosion's glow quickly dimmed, leaving only a distant plume of fire and smoke rising above the treetops. Then came the screams, shrill, panicked, and disorganized.

In the village, chaos erupted. Cultists ran in all directions, their discipline crumbling as they tried to make sense of what had just happened. Orders clashed, confusion spread like wildfire, and some simply abandoned their posts entirely.

Leonard's attention shifted to the winged knights. At first, they remained still, but within moments, several of the armored riders barked orders. One by one, the majority of the knights mounted their massive steeds, the creatures spreading their enormous wings and taking to the air with powerful gusts.

"They're moving," Operator 7 whispered, his voice barely audible.

Leonard nodded grimly. Dozens of cultists, along with almost all the knights, began pouring out of the village, sprinting toward the forest with weapons drawn. The sound of their movement, armor clanking, feet pounding against the dirt, was almost deafening.

The distraction had worked.

"The forest trap," Leonard muttered under his breath, narrowing his eyes. He knew Alexei and the diversion team had planned something significant, but even he hadn't expected it to be this effective. His respect for Alexei's expertise deepened in that moment.

Operator 3 shifted slightly, keeping his voice low:

"That's over half their forces leaving. This is our shot, boss."

Leonard adjusted his position, peering through the grass one last time to confirm their path was clear.

"We move now," he ordered quietly, his tone firm and controlled.

The three of them began crawling forward, staying as low as possible while the chaos in the village continued to unfold. With most of the cultists and knights gone, only a handful of guards remained scattered throughout the area, their focus split between maintaining order and watching the distant forest.

Leonard raised a hand, signaling his team to stop. He gestured toward a narrow alley between two burning houses, a clear path that would lead them closer to their objective.

"Follow me, slow and quiet," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the crackling flames.

The three operatives moved like shadows, their training evident in their precise, coordinated movements. They slipped into the alley undetected, their presence hidden by the chaos.

Just as they reached the edge of the alley, Leonard froze, his sharp instincts catching a flicker of movement ahead. He raised a fist, halting the team instantly.

From their vantage point, they could see a group of cultists arguing near the center of the village. One of them, a tall man clad in ornate robes, seemed to be giving orders. His voice carried an air of authority, and despite the panic around him, his tone was sharp and commanding.

Leonard gestured toward the cultists, signaling for Operator 7 to use his reality-bending ability to conceal their movements. The operator nodded and closed his eyes, a faint shimmer surrounding them as reality subtly shifted to obscure their presence.

"Keep moving," Leonard whispered, his voice calm but urgent.

The team advanced cautiously, slipping past the distracted cultists and through the heart of the village. Ahead, another, partially intact, building.

But just as they approached the entrance, a loud screech echoed through the air, cutting through the noise like a blade. Leonard's blood ran cold as he turned his gaze upward.

Descending rapidly from the sky was one of the winged knights, its massive birdlike mount diving toward the village with terrifying speed. Its rider, clad in white armor, seemed to be scanning for threats, and Leonard knew immediately that their window of opportunity was closing fast.

"Get inside, now," Leonard hissed, pushing his team toward the house.

They slipped through a side entrance just as the knight's mount landed heavily nearby, its talons digging into the earth with a bone-rattling impact.

Inside the house, the team pressed themselves against the walls, listening as the knight barked orders outside. Leonard's mind raced as he calculated their next move, knowing the mission had just become far more dangerous.

Leonard remained pressed against the wall, his breathing steady but tense as he waited for the winged knight to depart. The heavy footsteps of the mount echoed outside, its talons scraping against the ground as the rider barked final orders to the remaining cultists. Then, with a powerful beat of its massive wings, the creature launched itself into the air, leaving only a rush of wind and swirling ash in its wake.

Leonard glanced at his team, nodding silently before gesturing for them to follow. The three operatives moved like shadows, slipping deeper into the village as flames crackled and distant screams echoed from the forest.

The chaos created by Alexei's diversion had left the remaining cultists scattered and disorganized. Some frantically attempted to put out fires, while others barked confused orders, their nerves clearly frayed. It was the perfect cover.

Operator 7 signaled Leonard, pointing toward a lone cultist standing near a stack of crates. The man seemed distracted, his focus on the commotion in the distance. Leonard gave a curt nod, and Operator 3 sprang into action.

With surgical precision, Operator 3 crept behind the cultist, his blade gleaming faintly in the firelight. In one swift motion, he clamped a hand over the man's mouth and drove the knife into his neck. The cultist let out a muffled gurgle before slumping lifelessly to the ground. Operator 3 quickly dragged the body into the shadows, ensuring it wouldn't be discovered.

Leonard and his team approached the house in silence, every step carefully calculated as they navigated the desolate village. The air was thick with the smell of ash and burnt wood, and the only sounds were the distant cries of cultists drawn away by the diversion.

The house came into view, and Leonard immediately understood why it stood out among the others. Though it was still mostly intact, large portions of its walls were shattered, and the roof had partially caved in. Scorch marks marred the stone exterior, and chunks of debris littered the ground around it.

The three operatives crouched behind a low wall nearby, their eyes scanning the area. Leonard motioned for them to hold position while he assessed the situation.

The target house was eerily silent, and no movement could be seen through its gaping holes or broken windows. Operator 3 leaned closer to Leonard, his voice barely audible.

"Boss, looks like no one's guarding it. Either they think it's secure, or…"

"…or something already hit it," Leonard finished, his tone grim.

Operator 7 activated his reality-bending ability again, cloaking their presence as they moved closer to the house. They crossed the open ground quickly, staying low and out of sight, until they reached the base of the damaged structure.

The three of them pressed against the crumbling wall, peering cautiously into the interior. The damage was worse than it appeared from a distance. Large chunks of stone lay scattered across the floor, and several bookshelves had collapsed, their contents strewn haphazardly. A faint glow emanated from deeper inside, flickering intermittently like the remnants of an extinguished fire.

Operator 7 whispered, "Boss, this place looks like it's been hit by something big. Maybe a fight broke out before we got here."

Leonard's jaw tightened as he scanned the scene. The house bore no signs of life, no guards, no cultists, nothing to explain the destruction. It was as if the building had been abandoned in haste.

He gestured for the others to circle the structure, ensuring the area was secure before they entered. As they moved cautiously along the perimeter, their steps crunching softly on the scattered debris, Operator 3 froze mid-step.

"Boss," he murmured, his voice tense. "You need to see this."

Leonard stepped closer, following Operator 3's gaze. His eyes widened at what lay before them.

The door to the house was barely hanging on its hinges, claw marks gouged deep into the wood as if some beast had torn it apart. Blood smeared the threshold, dark and dried, and the surrounding ground was littered with broken weapons and scraps of fabric bearing cultist insignias.

The three of them stared at the scene, the weight of its implications settling heavily in the air. Something had struck this place with overwhelming force, and whatever it was, it wasn't there anymore.

Leonard's voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke.

"Stay sharp. We're going in."

They moved toward the shattered doorway, their weapons at the ready. The silence inside the house was oppressive, broken only by the faint creak of unstable beams shifting under their weight.

The operatives stepped into the ruined house, their boots crunching against shattered wood and debris. The air was thick with the stench of blood and decay. As their eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering through the broken walls, the gruesome scene before them became clear.

The interior was littered with the corpses of cultists, their bodies sprawled across the floor in grotesque positions. Blood pooled beneath them, soaking into the cracked stone. Some clutched weapons, others seemed to have fallen mid-struggle, their faces frozen in expressions of terror and agony.

At the center of the carnage, Leonard's gaze fell on a figure that made his chest tighten. The body of William's mother lay in the middle of the room, her lifeless form impaled by several jagged spikes of an unknown material. Her face was pale, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling, as if frozen in a final moment of defiance.

Leonard's jaw clenched as he forced himself to look away, his emotions threatening to overwhelm him. Operator 3 murmured under his breath, "Boss… this is…"

"Focus," Leonard interrupted, his voice firm despite the weight in his tone. "We're here for the books. Start searching."

The team spread out cautiously, their weapons at the ready as they began to sift through the wreckage and debris, looking for the precious volumes they had come for.

---

Meanwhile in the forest, a group of cultists moved cautiously through the forest, their torches casting flickering light across the gnarled trees and uneven ground. The cultists, clad in their dark robes, grumbled amongst themselves about the explosion that had shaken the earth not long before.

"It came from the east," one of them muttered, his voice tinged with unease. "What in the Holy One's name could cause such a blast ?"

"Doesn't matter," another replied, gripping his weapon tightly. "The impurity of the Terrans is spreading. First, they defile the Holy Capital, and now this ? They'll burn in holy fire soon enough."

Their conversation was cut short when a faint noise came from the dense underbrush ahead, an unnatural rustling that made them all freeze.

"Did you hear that ?" whispered the lead cultist, holding up his hand to halt the group. They exchanged uneasy glances, their torchlight failing to penetrate the suffocating darkness beyond.

Suddenly, one of their own vanished into the shadows with a muffled cry. The others spun around, torches swinging wildly as panic set in.

"Where did he go ?!" one hissed, his eyes darting nervously through the trees.

Another scream echoed, followed by the sickening sound of flesh meeting steel. Another cultist gone.

"Stay together !" the leader barked, trying to rally his group. "Keep your eyes open !"

But then came the whisper of movement above them, and one of the torches flickered out.

"The trees !" one of the cultists screamed in terror. "They're in the fucking trees !"

Before they could react, shadows descended upon them like specters of death. Figures leapt from the branches, their knives gleaming briefly in the torchlight before sinking into flesh. The cultists' cries turned to gurgles and gasps as they were overwhelmed.

The forest floor became a scene of chaos, blood splattering against the bark as the shadows worked swiftly and silently. Within moments, the patrol was no more, their torches extinguished and their bodies slumped lifelessly among the roots.

In the aftermath, the figures stood amidst the carnage, wiping their blades clean with mechanical precision before vanishing back into the darkness as if they had never been there.

Alexei was among them, sprinting through the dense forest, weaving between trees with practiced agility. The faint glimmer of torchlight from the distant patrols barely illuminated his path. Around him, the shadows of his men moved like wraiths, silent and deadly. Their clothes blended seamlessly with the darkness, only the faint glint of their knives betraying their presence.

One of the operators caught up to him, his voice low but filled with determination. "Sir, the distraction worked flawlessly. We've drawn their attention."

Alexei glanced at him briefly, a sharp grin flashing across his face. "Good. This is our chance." He slowed slightly, allowing the rest of his team to close in around him.

As the operators gathered, Alexei's voice rose, quiet but resolute, slicing through the night like a blade. "Listen up, boys. We've failed the boss too many times. First, when we couldn't shield him from 096. Now, by letting him get trapped in this fucking dimension. I won't allow another failure. I won't accept that kind of dishonor."

The operators nodded, their breaths steady despite the adrenaline coursing through them. Alexei's words lit a fire within their hearts. They could see it in each other's eyes, resolve, burning brighter than ever.

"We fight," Alexei continued, his voice firm, "with everything we've got. No hesitation, no holding back. We owe it to him, and we owe it to ourselves. Now, move !"

The group surged forward, their pace doubling, spurred on by Alexei's rallying cry. Leaves rustled, and dirt kicked up in their wake as they sped through the undergrowth. They were a unit, their movements synchronized and precise, fueled by a shared purpose: redemption.

It wasn't long before they encountered another patrol of cultists. This one was larger, their torches casting dancing shadows across the forest floor. The cultists were speaking in hushed tones, their voices tinged with unease after the disappearance of their comrades.

The operators struck without warning.

Shadows erupted from the darkness, blades flashing. One cultist barely had time to scream before an operator silenced him with a clean strike. Another fell, his torch clattering to the ground, extinguished in the damp soil.

The cultists attempted to regroup, but the operators' ferocity was unmatched. They moved as a single entity, exploiting every weakness, every gap in the enemy's formation.

Alexei led the charge, his knife a blur as he dispatched one cultist after another. His focus was absolute, his strikes precise. Around him, his men worked with similar efficiency, their training and determination turning the skirmish into a massacre.

Within minutes, it was over. The forest was silent again, save for the faint rustling of leaves as the operators adjusted their gear and regrouped around Alexei.

He looked at his men, blood staining their gloves and uniforms but not dampening their resolve. "Good work," he said, his voice steady but carrying a note of pride. "We keep moving. The boss is counting on us."

Without another word, the group disappeared back into the shadows, their determination driving them toward their next objective.

---

Léonard rummaged through the overturned library shelves, his eyes scanning the disorganized spines of countless books. Dust clung to his hands as he shifted debris aside, determined to find something of value. Then, his gaze froze on a specific book. The worn leather cover bore faded gold lettering, and as he picked it up, his heart skipped a beat. Latin.

He flipped through the pages rapidly, scanning the contents, and his lips curled into a triumphant smile. "Guys ! I've found it, the translation book ! Keep searching for anything else that looks useful before we leave."

The two operators glanced at him, nodded, and resumed their frantic search. Their hands moved quickly, pulling books from shelves, flipping through them, and stuffing promising-looking ones into their packs.

Meanwhile, Léonard's curiosity got the better of him. He opened the translation book in his hands and began to examine the contents. As his eyes scanned the text, a sudden notification blinked in his vision.

[Ding ! You have discovered a valid translation for an unknown language on Earth. The shop has been updated.]

His brow furrowed, and his heart raced as he accessed the system menu in his mind. The familiar interface materialized, but this time, something new caught his attention.

{New} Talent: "Isleen Language" - 900 Gold

He tapped on the details, and a new screen appeared:

[Details: This talent allows you to speak, understand, read, and write in Isleen. Upon acquiring this language, it will be added as an available trait for all your units you wish to customize.]

Léonard's face lit up as he read. A wide grin spread across his features, and for the first time in days, a sense of hope filled him. This changes everything, he thought.

He brought it and closed the system screen, Léonard held the book tightly in his hands, his mind racing with possibilities. But the moment of exhilaration was short-lived as he heard one of the operators whisper sharply, breaking the silence:

"Boss, we need to hurry. I'm hearing movement outside."

Léonard nodded, slipping the book securely into his pack. "Grab what you can and let's move. We've got what we came for."

The silence of the burning village shattered as the sound of footsteps approached the house. Léonard froze, his hand tightening on the strap of his pack containing the invaluable translation book. One of the operators, crouched by the window, whispered harshly.

"We've got company, boss. Cultists. Five, no, seven of them, heading straight for us."

Léonard cursed under his breath. "No choice. Get ready."

The two reality benders, Operators 3 and 7, adjusted their stances. Operator 3 summoned a faint shimmer of distortion around their body, preparing to manipulate space, while Operator 7 silently unclipped a sleek combat knife and focused on his surroundings. Léonard drew his weapon, checking his surroundings for cover.

The door burst open, and three cultists charged inside, wielding crude but deadly spears. Behind them, four more waited outside, armed with crossbows and swords.

"Impure scum !" one of the cultists screamed as he lunged at Léonard.

Operator 3 reacted instantly. The air around the spear wielder bent unnaturally, and with a sharp crack, the man's weapon veered off course, stabbing into the wall instead of Léonard's chest. Operator 7 followed up with lethal efficiency, plunging his knife into the man's side and twisting it. The cultist collapsed with a gurgling scream.

Outside, the cultists began firing their crossbows. Bolts whizzed through the air, several shattering against the walls of the house.

"Cover me !" Léonard barked.

Operator 3 extended a hand, and the space around the house warped, creating a shimmering distortion field that deflected several incoming bolts. Operator 7 dove out of the window, landing in a roll before hurling a grenade toward the cultists. The explosion sent three of them flying, leaving only one remaining, clutching his bow with trembling hands.

The remaining cultist screamed in rage and charged at Operator 7, brandishing a sword. Léonard stepped out behind him, raising his MP7, and fired a precise burst. The man dropped instantly.

"Boss, more incoming !" Operator 3 called out.

Léonard turned to see another wave of cultists pouring in from an alleyway. This group was larger, about a dozen strong, and much more organized, their weapons gleaming in the firelight.

"We can't stay here. Back into the forest !" Léonard ordered.

The team retreated out of the house, Operator 3 bending space to create momentary barriers that slowed down the advancing cultists. Léonard and Operator 7 provided covering fire, taking down several of the pursuers.

The cultists began chanting, and glowing runes appeared in the air around them. A wave of energy shot toward Léonard's group, but Operator 3 twisted space, absorbing the attack and redirecting it into a nearby wall, which exploded into rubble.

"Reality manipulation is draining me, boss," Operator 3 said, sweat dripping down his face.

"Hold it together," Léonard replied. "We're almost, "

A sudden scream pierced the chaos. The group turned toward the sound and froze.

Above them, silhouetted against the flames, a squadron of winged knights soared into view. Their massive birds of prey flapped their wings, sending gusts of wind that carried ash and embers into the air. Their armor gleamed in the firelight, and their spears crackled with energy.

"Winged Riders" Operator 7 whispered, his voice filled with dread.

The lead knight raised his spear and let out a deafening war cry. The group of winged warriors descended toward Léonard and his team like vengeful gods.

Leonard stopped abruptly, his galactic tattoos instantly beginning to glow. His body reacted immediately, and without wasting a moment, he leaped forward with blinding speed.

The winged riders descended upon them, but the two reality benders positioned themselves on the flanks, raising energy barriers that warped the space around them to deflect the initial attacks.

A gigantic bird dove straight at Leonard, its razor-sharp talons aiming for his head. Leonard sidestepped swiftly, grabbed a lance thrust at him by the rider, and with a precise motion, hurled the attacker off their mount. Landing gracefully, he executed a circular strike that sent the bird crashing into a tree trunk.

"Keep moving forward !" he shouted.

Leonard's galactic tattoos pulsed with increasing intensity as the winged riders descended like a storm of shadows. Their mounts, massive avian beasts with jagged wings and glowing eyes, screeched as they swept through the forest canopy, shaking branches and scattering leaves in their wake. The air filled with the hum of energy weapons and the deafening cries of battle.

"Keep them at bay !" barked Léonard. With a wave of their hand, the air around them rippled and distorted, bending the path of an incoming spear thrown by one of the riders. The spear veered off course, striking a tree and exploding into shards of light.

Leonard surged forward, his enhanced speed making him a blur among the trees. A rider dove at him, its mount extending razor-sharp talons. Leonard leapt into the air, planting his foot on a low-hanging branch before launching himself higher. He twisted mid-air, grabbing the rider's spear and yanking them clean off their mount. The rider tumbled to the ground with a sickening crunch, their mount veering off in confusion. Leonard landed lightly, gripping the spear as his tattoos flared even brighter.

Another rider attacked from behind, their bird swooping silently like a phantom. Before they could strike, the second operative raised both hands, forming a sphere of warped energy that crackled and hissed. The rider's weapon struck the barrier, the impact shattering into a cascade of sparks. With a flick of their wrist, the operative redirected the kinetic energy, sending a shockwave that blasted the rider and their mount into a cluster of trees.

The fight raged on, the trio continuously giving ground as the riders pursued them relentlessly. Leonard fought with unmatched ferocity, each movement precise and devastating. He wielded the captured spear like an extension of himself, deflecting blows, disarming enemies, and striking with lethal efficiency. One rider dared to engage him head-on, his blade gleaming with fire. Leonard met the attack, the clash of their weapons ringing through the forest. In a rapid sequence of strikes, he disarmed the rider and delivered a powerful kick that sent them sprawling off their mount.

The operatives were no less formidable. One conjured jagged rifts in the air, trapping several riders in a disorienting loop of twisted space. The other created illusions of spectral beasts that charged at the riders, forcing them to swerve and scatter. When a rider managed to bypass their defenses, the operative flicked their fingers, causing the ground beneath the attacker to ripple and explode upward, throwing both rider and mount into chaos.

Despite their skill, the trio was outnumbered. The riders pressed harder, their mounts weaving through the trees with supernatural agility. Bolts of searing energy rained down, forcing Leonard and the operatives to dodge and weave. One bolt grazed Leonard's shoulder, but he didn't falter. Instead, he drove the spear into the ground, vaulting himself over a charging rider and landing a punishing strike that sent their mount crashing into a thicket.

"Fall back ! To the river !" shouted Léonard. They moved in unison, retreating toward the sound of rushing water in the distance. The riders, sensing their quarry's desperation, doubled their efforts. The air grew thick with the acrid smell of burnt wood and the metallic tang of energy discharges.

As they neared the riverbank, the operatives exchanged a glance and nodded. Both extended their hands as they channeled their powers. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath. Then, with a synchronized gesture, they unleashed their combined energy. A dense, swirling mist erupted from the ground, engulfing the area in an impenetrable fog. The riders cried out in frustration, their mounts flailing as they lost sight of their targets.

"Into the water !" Leonard ordered, his voice cutting through the chaos. Without hesitation, the trio plunged into the river, the icy current pulling them downstream. The mist thickened, clinging to the trees and spreading outward, a living shroud that masked their escape.

The winged riders circled above, their cries echoing in the void of the mist. Unable to find their prey, they retreated, their frustrated howls fading into the distance. Hidden beneath the surface of the river, Leonard and the operatives let the current carry them, their breath steady as they vanished into the safety of the forest beyond.