Chapter 104: The Cry of Dawn and Darkness

The morning chill spread through the valley as the horizon lightened with the faint glow of dawn. William stood on the high platform of the Revolutionary Army's headquarters, overlooking the gathered crowd below. The morning light illuminated his solemn face, while the battle cloak behind him fluttered in the cold wind.

Not far away, Yahageshii rubbed his hands together, his expression brimming with excitement. "Finally, we get to do this for real. I've been itching to knock those Watchers down a peg."

"Yahageshii!" Elder Kasamaki's voice cut sharply, a low and commanding tone. "This operation isn't just some brawl. The enemy is formidable, and every move could mean life or death."

Yahageshii restrained himself somewhat, though the rebellious glint in his eyes remained. "Don't worry, old man. I get it. This time, I won't hold anyone back."

William turned slowly, his gaze sweeping across the faces before him. Among them were seasoned warriors who had been with the Revolutionary Army from the start, and fresh recruits drawn by their cause. Yet, every pair of eyes held the same unyielding resolve—a flame of defiance.

Clearing his throat, William spoke, his voice reverberating across the square. "Comrades, our enemy is not just any opponent. They excel at manipulating public opinion and lurking in the shadows. But they made one mistake—they underestimated us!"

A low roar arose from the crowd, their morale beginning to surge.

"The Watchers have made their target clear—Shingin, the Eighth Generation Leader. He may be in danger as we speak. We cannot stand idly by!" William paused, his tone growing more resolute. "More importantly, we must show those who sit high above us that the future of this world will not be dictated by them!"

"To hell with those Watchers!" Yahageshii slammed a fist into his palm, his shout echoing across the square.

"To hell with the Watchers!!" The cry was taken up by others, their fighting spirit igniting.

William raised a hand, signaling for silence. "From this moment, we have three days to prepare. In three days' time, we will strike with everything we have and shatter their schemes!"

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this fateful day, clouds loomed heavy, and the wind howled as though mourning the calm before the coming storm.

In the square, the Revolutionary Army stood in formation, their steps synchronized and imposing. Yahageshii rested a massive battle axe on his shoulder, glancing at Harutemi beside him. "Hey, nervous yet? When the time comes, don't go crying for your big brother Yahageshii!"

Harutemi, securing a short blade in her boot sheath, retorted coldly, "If you're scared, you can stay behind. I'll make sure to plead your case to the Watchers for a swift end."

"Me, scared? You'll see—I'm gonna wipe the floor with them!" Yahageshii forced a laugh, turning away to mask his unease.

On the platform, Elder Kasamaki, cloaked in his flowing mantle, looked thoughtful. "William, this battle will be anything but easy. The Watchers are likely far more cunning than we anticipate."

"I know," William replied, taking a deep breath. "But cunning doesn't mean invincible. They've cornered us into this fight, and now they'll see the strength they've provoked."

Turning back to the gathered crowd, William's voice was sharp and unwavering. "Comrades, the Watchers have tested our patience time and time again. They believe their so-called 'righteousness' can crush us. They are wrong! In these three days, we've prepared ourselves. Now, it's time to show them our power!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, their fervor reaching a boiling point. Yahageshii shouted, "William, let's do this!"

With a raised hand, William pointed toward the horizon. "Everyone, follow me. This time, we fight to win—or not at all!"

Meanwhile, at the Watchers' hidden base, the atmosphere was equally tense and heavy.

Nestled deep within the mountains, a colossal metal fortress stood shrouded in mist, like a dormant beast. In the central hall of the base, Watcher 20 stood on a platform, his flowing black robe shifting subtly in the air currents. His gaze was cold and penetrating, as though he could see straight into the souls of those before him.

Arrayed in formation were dozens of Watchers, their formidable auras emanating power. Each one was a peerless warrior.

One stepped forward, their tone tinged with hesitation. "Twenty, are we truly engaging in open conflict this time? The Revolutionary Army's strength shouldn't be underestimated."

Watcher 20 smirked coldly. "Strength? Their strength is nothing more than the futile struggle of ants. They have no concept of true fear, nor do they understand who holds dominion over this world."

Raising his hand, he summoned a swirling mass of dark energy into his palm, its oppressive presence like a living entity.

"Today, we will show them the truth. The Watchers are the embodiment of justice, and they—mere obstacles to order."

His voice grew louder, thundering through the hall like a storm. "War begins today! With our actions, we will reclaim the future that belongs to us!"

At that very moment, the leaders of both factions issued their commands.

On the Revolutionary Army's platform, William stood tall, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Move out! The war begins now!"

In the Watchers' base, Watcher 20 stood amidst a shroud of darkness, his energy radiating menace. "Go forth! The war begins now!"

Two voices, echoing from separate realms, carried through the air and converged on a single battlefield.