The Unseen Hand

Chapter 37: The Unseen Hand

The dragon's fall had sent a shockwave through the enemy lines, and Cassandra's forces had seized the moment to press forward. What had once been a chaotic, bloody struggle now had the unmistakable scent of victory in the air. But Cassandra knew better than to celebrate too soon. The battle was still ongoing, and the true test of her leadership had only just begun.

As she surveyed the battlefield, she noticed the shift in the enemy's movements. While some fled, others dug in deeper, unwilling to yield even after the dragon's defeat. They were far more resilient than she had anticipated, and the King's loyalists had proven they weren't easily broken.

Adrian stood beside her, wiping the blood from his sword with a grim expression. "They're regrouping. And they're bringing in reinforcements."

Cassandra clenched her fists, trying to ignore the weariness that tugged at her muscles. The battle had already taken a toll, but she couldn't afford to show weakness. Not now. "How long until they arrive?"

Adrian's gaze flickered to the distant horizon, where a line of smoke was beginning to rise. "An hour, maybe less. We need to finish this before they get here."

Cassandra nodded. "Then we move now."

---

The command was given, and the army surged forward with renewed strength, pushing through the remaining enemy lines. But just as the momentum seemed to tip in their favor, a sudden explosion rocked the ground beneath their feet. Cassandra stumbled, her heart racing as the dust settled.

"What was that?" she demanded, her voice sharp as she scanned the battlefield.

Adrian's face had gone pale. "It's a trap. They've been waiting for us."

Before Cassandra could react, another explosion rang out, this one closer to their position. The ground trembled as more blasts followed, creating a series of craters in the once-stronghold they had taken. The very earth beneath their feet seemed to betray them, and Cassandra realized that the enemy had laid a series of underground mines—one they had triggered as the final push came.

Cassandra cursed under her breath as the battlefield was thrown into disarray. Panic spread among her troops as some were thrown to the ground by the explosions, while others struggled to keep their footing.

"Regroup!" Cassandra shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Form the defensive perimeter! Now!"

Adrian was already by her side, his eyes narrowed. "We need to disable their explosive devices before they can use more."

Cassandra looked toward the darkened sky, where smoke now billowed from several craters. The battlefield had become a deadly maze of traps, and with reinforcements on the way, they didn't have much time to clear the area.

The enemy forces had turned from a disorganized retreat into a counteroffensive. They launched arrows from high vantage points, and enemy cavalry circled them like vultures. Cassandra's heart raced as the enemy tightened their noose.

Her thoughts flashed to Adrian, who was already strategizing, coordinating with his commanders to redirect the soldiers into defensive positions. They needed to hold out just a little longer until the reinforcements arrived.

But in the midst of the chaos, Cassandra couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching them, manipulating the battle from the shadows. It was too coordinated—too precise.

"Adrian," she said suddenly, her eyes scanning the battlefield. "There's something off about this."

"What do you mean?"

"It's not just the mines," she said, her voice steady but edged with suspicion. "This entire battle feels like it's been planned from the start. Every move we make, they counter it before we even have the chance to react. This isn't just a rebellion—it's a game."

Adrian's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowing. "You think someone's pulling the strings behind the scenes?"

"I'm certain of it," Cassandra replied. "And if we don't find them soon, we'll be caught in their trap."

---

Minutes passed like hours as Cassandra's forces regrouped, the battle grinding to a halt as both sides tried to catch their breath. The ground was littered with the fallen, and the stench of smoke and blood filled the air. Yet through the haze of war, Cassandra remained focused, her mind working overtime to piece together the puzzle in front of her.

Adrian came to her side, his voice low. "I've spoken with our scouts. There's a strange formation just beyond the eastern ridge. They say there's a small contingent of soldiers, but they're heavily fortified."

Cassandra turned toward him, her eyes flashing with intent. "Do you think that's where the mastermind is hiding?"

"I'm certain of it."

Cassandra's pulse quickened. "Then we go after them. Now."

But before they could move, a lone figure emerged from the smoke. Cassandra's breath caught in her throat as the silhouette of a man, clad in dark armor and with an air of cold authority, strode onto the battlefield.

He was tall, his movements smooth as if he weren't a part of the chaos around him. His eyes—glowing with a faint golden hue—locked onto Cassandra with an unsettling focus. His presence sent a chill down her spine.

"Who are you?" she demanded, stepping forward.

The man's lips curled into a smirk, his voice smooth as silk. "I'm just a spectator, Your Highness."

"Spectator?" Cassandra repeated, her voice tightening. "You've been orchestrating this entire battle from the shadows, haven't you?"

He tilted his head, his smirk deepening. "It's not as dramatic as you think, my dear. I simply ensured that things went... according to plan."

"Who are you working for?" Cassandra demanded. "The King? The remnants of his court?"

"Ah, the King…" The man's gaze flickered with amusement. "A man who believes he controls everything. How quaint. I'm not interested in serving his decrepit kingdom, Your Highness. No, I serve something far more... interesting."

Adrian stepped forward, his hand tightening around his blade. "Enough games. Tell us who you're really working for."

The man's smirk vanished, replaced by a look of deep calculation. "I suppose it doesn't matter anymore." He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, gleaming device—a crystal embedded in metal. It hummed with energy, its power palpable.

Cassandra's eyes widened. "What is that?"

"Just a little something to tip the scales," the man said, his eyes flickering with a dangerous gleam. "You see, Your Highness, you were never supposed to win this battle. It was always a matter of when... not if."

---

Before Cassandra could react, the device in the man's hand pulsed brightly, sending a shockwave through the air. Time seemed to stretch, and for a moment, the battlefield fell into a haunting silence.

And then, the ground trembled.

---

To be continued...