Chapter 88: The Storm Awakens

Dawn still enveloped the city in its silent cloak, but the air was charged with a palpable tension. The reinforced walls and newly established defenses seemed like small sentinels against the impending storm that Rodrigo and Sebastião had foreseen. The group of leaders, exhausted by the previous battle, gathered again in the command room to discuss the next steps.

Olavo opened the meeting with a serious expression. "We need to understand who is behind these attacks. They are not just trying to defeat us; there is something more at stake here."

Rodrigo nodded, remembering the stories of his past shared with Sebastião. "I agree. These enemies seem to have advanced knowledge of warfare and infiltration tactics. This is no ordinary force."

Sebastião, ever observant, added: "In addition, the spaced torches indicate careful coordination. They are trying to divide and conquer us, exploiting our internal weaknesses."

Rodrigo walked over to the map of the region, pointing to an area near the mountains. "Our spies have reported strange movements to the north, near the Stone Mountains. There may be a base there, or perhaps something more sinister. We need to investigate." Olavo frowned. "A night expedition? That would be risky, especially with the enemy already demonstrating skill in infiltration." Rodrigo looked at his companions, seeing the determination reflected in their eyes. "If we don't understand what we're up against, we'll always be one step behind. We need to discover their intentions and, if possible, neutralize the threat at its root." After a brief deliberation, it was decided to form a small team to investigate the Stone Mountains. Rodrigo, Sebastião, Olavo, and some of the city's best soldiers were chosen for the mission. The team set out before dawn, taking advantage of the darkness of the night to avoid detection. The journey through the winding mountain trails was arduous. The rugged terrain and dense vegetation made progress difficult, but the team's determination did not waver. Rodrigo led with a combination of experience and instinct, while Sebastian kept the team's spirits high.

After hours of walking, the team reached a cave hidden among the rocks. The entrance was narrow, barely visible, but it was clearly used to hide something inside. Rodrigo signaled for the group to stop, carefully observing their surroundings.

"We must proceed with caution," he said quietly. "We do not know what awaits us inside."

With flashlights lit, they entered the cave, advancing along a narrow corridor that opened into a larger chamber. The interior was lit by torches scattered along the walls, creating dancing shadows that seemed to take on a life of their own. In the center of the room, a group of hooded figures were gathered around a table, discussing something in low, intense voices.

Rodrigo signaled for everyone to be silent and to position themselves strategically to observe without being detected. The hooded men's conversation revealed fragments of plans and strategies that confirmed the team's suspicions: they were plotting something bigger, possibly a full-blown invasion.

"We have to stop this," Sebastian whispered, his eyes fixed on the figures. "They're planning something big, something that could destroy everything we've fought for."

Rodrigo nodded, weighing his options. "We need to act now. If we let this continue, the city will be defenseless."

With a silent nod, the team prepared to intervene. Rodrigo gave the order, and the soldiers advanced quickly, surprising the hooded men. The battle was quick and intense, with the enemy forces being overwhelmed by the tactical superiority and determination of the city's defenders.

However, during the fighting, one of the hooded men managed to escape, leaving behind a detailed map that indicated the location of a major enemy base. Rodrigo took the map, knowing that this was the first step to dismantling the threat for good.

With their mission accomplished, the team returned to the city before dawn, bringing with them vital information that could change the course of the war. The discovery of the enemy base provided a unique opportunity to neutralize the threat once and for all.

Back in the command room, Rodrigo spread the map on the table, pointing to the strategic location. "This is our chance to strike at the heart of the enemy operation. If we can destroy this base, we will significantly weaken their forces and strategies."

Olavo looked at the map with a mixture of skepticism and hope. "It will be a dangerous mission. We will need all the resources and an impeccable plan."

Rodrigo agreed. "We will need surprise and precision. We cannot afford mistakes. Each of you knows what is at stake. The survival of our community is a threat to us."