The Shadow's Strike

Biodun’s senses were on high alert as he paced the perimeter of the camp. The coalition had seen success in recent skirmishes, testing and refining their strategies, but he knew too well that success bred complacency. Hassan wouldn’t sit back while they continued to gain ground. There was always a counterstrike coming, and tonight felt different—charged with an unsettling quiet.

The night air was cool, the sky an inky black canvas interrupted only by the faint glimmer of stars. It was the kind of silence that pressed down on the chest, making every breath feel like a question unanswered.

Suddenly, Tunde’s voice crackled through the comm. “We’ve got movement on the eastern front. It’s subtle, but something’s there.”

Biodun’s pulse quickened. “How many?”

“Hard to tell. No visuals yet, but the motion sensors are picking up anomalies. Could be a scouting party, or... something else.”