Chapter 35

The air is heavy with the scent of burnt wood and death. The remnants of what used to be a home now lie in ruins, charred and broken. The once-bustling complex is now eerily silent, save for the occasional crackling of embers that refuse to die.

I stand before a hastily dug grave, my fingers clenching into fists at my sides. The wind carries the scent of blood and decay, a grim reminder of what was lost. Brick's body lies within a float we planned to set afire in the riverbank covered with the very tattered cloak she once wore into battle. Her face, though lifeless, still carries the fierce determination she had in life.

I cannot cry.

Not yet.

Not when there is so much left to do.

Ivanna stands beside me, her expression a mix of grief and restrained anger. She has been quiet since Dylan broke the news to us. Brick is dead. Killed by Overseer's forces. Defending what little she had left.

And no one came to help.

The other fortress leaders heard about the attack, but they did nothing. They sat behind their reinforced walls and waited. Waited while Brick fought alone. Waited while innocent people were slaughtered and dragged away like cattle.

A sharp, bitter rage rises in my chest.

I kneel beside the grave and place my hand against the fresh soil. Brick, you died protecting those you loved. You deserved better than this. I swear, your sacrifice won't be in vain.

Brick's sister stands a few feet away, holding her niece and nephew close. The children are silent, their eyes hollow. They are too young to understand the depth of their loss, but they feel it. The absence. The cold emptiness left behind when someone they love is suddenly gone.

Brick had hidden them away in a storage room, ensuring they would not be found. She fought alone so they could live.

And now, they have nowhere to go.

I turn to them, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "Come with me."

Brick's sister hesitates. "But… we have nowhere to go."

"You do now," I say firmly. "My fortress will be your home. I won't let what happened here happen again."

She looks at me, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. I understand her fear. Trust is fragile in this world, and betrayal is common. But I am not asking for trust. I am offering safety. A chance to live.

After a moment, she nods, pulling her children closer.

I rise to my feet, turning to Mochi. "We leave now."

She nods, her expression resolute. "I'll prepare the transport." I have contacted my base beforehand to arrange transportation for me

The journey back is silent. The children cling to their mother, their small hands gripping her clothes as if afraid she will disappear too. I sit across from them, my mind lost in thought.

This isn't just about revenge anymore. It's about survival. About making sure no one else has to suffer the way Brick did.

When we arrive at the fortress, the gates open without question. The guards glance at the newcomers but say nothing. They know better than to ask.

I lead Brick's family inside, making sure they are given a place to stay. A room. Warm food. Clean clothes. Small things that mean everything in times like these.

Later that night, I sit alone in my quarters, staring at the flickering light of a candle. The weight of everything crashes down on me. The loss. The anger. The helplessness.

And then, finally, the tears come.

I don't make a sound. I just let them fall, one after another, until exhaustion takes over.

Tomorrow, I will be strong again. Tomorrow, I will start planning.

But tonight, I mourn.

Tonight, I remember Brick.

Here's the continuation, expanding on Tang Su Yan's next move and her plan to destroy the human meat factories.

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### **Chapter 35: Fire and Blood**

The morning sun barely peeks through the thick clouds of smoke that still linger from the attack. I barely slept. The weight of Brick's death presses heavily on me, but I do not let it crush me.

Today, I act.

I step out of my quarters, my expression cold and unreadable. The fortress is already awake, the soldiers and survivors moving through their daily routines. But today is different. Today, I will change everything.

Ivanna is waiting for me near the war room, her wings tucked neatly behind her back. Her eyes meet mine, and she nods, already understanding.

Inside, my team has gathered—Dylan, the Prophetess, and the core members of my resistance. They sit around the long metal table, maps and documents spread out before them. The tension in the air is thick. They are waiting for me to speak.

I take my seat at the head of the table, my fingers tightening into fists before I lay them flat against the cold surface. "We're going to war."

Silence follows, then Dylan leans forward, his expression serious. "Against who?"

I meet his gaze, my voice unwavering. "The human meat factories. Every single one of them."

The air shifts. Some exchange glances. Others remain still, waiting.

"We knew about them before," I continue. "Brick and I investigated multiple sites, gathering information on their locations, their operations, and their security. We were waiting for the right time to strike." I pause, my voice hardening. "That time is now."

Dylan exhales sharply. "We don't have the numbers to take on all of them at once."

"I'm not suggesting we hit them all at once," I say. "We'll do it strategically—one by one, moving fast, leaving nothing behind."

Prophetess folds her hands on the table, her voice calm yet grave. "Do we have confirmation on where the captives were taken from Brick's complex?"

I nod, my jaw tightening. "Yes. One of the factories we scouted before is holding prisoners. That's our first target."

Ivanna leans back in her chair, her wings twitching. "If we do this, we're making enemies out of every major faction that profits from the trade."

"I don't care," I say bluntly. "This ends now."

Another heavy silence. Then, one by one, they nod.

Dylan smirks slightly, his dragon-like eyes flashing. "Well then, let's burn them to the ground."

I allow myself a small, grim smile. "Exactly."

I pull out a marked map and spread it across the table. "This is the factory's location. It's heavily guarded, but not impenetrable. We move in under the cover of night. A small, fast assault team will infiltrate, disable the security systems, and free the captives. Meanwhile, the rest will plant explosives around the perimeter. Once we're clear, we detonate. No survivors among the enemy. No remains of the facility."

Prophetess narrows her eyes. "Are you sure about complete annihilation? No negotiations?"

I meet her gaze, my voice like steel. "These places are beyond redemption. They butcher people like animals. There is no reasoning with them."

Dylan chuckles darkly

Mochi stands. "When do we move?"

I look around the room, taking in the determination on their faces.

"Tonight."