Chapter 77: Shadows Move

Chapter 77: Shadows Move

Silvia's POV

The scouts had left hours ago, disappearing into the forests that separated their city from the unknown lands beyond. Silvia paced the war room, fingers drumming restlessly against her arms as she waited for any news. The silence was suffocating. Every moment stretched longer than the last.

Garrik was seated at the far end of the table, his arms crossed. "You should get some rest."

Silvia shook her head. "Not until I know what we're up against."

Tarren entered the room, her expression grim. "No word yet, but we spotted movement near the eastern ridge. Either it's our scouts coming back, or the Remnants are making their first move."

Dragon pushed away from the wall where he had been leaning. "Guess we're about to find out."

The First Contact

The city's outer watchtower had a clear view of the distant hills. Silvia and her team climbed to the top just in time to see shadows shifting between the trees. A small group—four, maybe five figures—moved with precision through the underbrush.

One of the guards beside her adjusted his scope. "They're not ours. Too fast. Too quiet."

Silvia's heart pounded. "Then we need to stop them before they reach the city."

Dragon grinned. "Finally, some action."

She shot him a warning look, but he was already moving. Within moments, a group of guards were ready, weapons drawn, waiting for the figures to come closer. As soon as they stepped into range, Silvia gave the signal.

"Now!"

Arrows and bolts flew through the air, striking the ground in front of the intruders. Instead of scattering, they responded immediately, moving in perfect synchronization. One darted to the side, disappearing behind a tree. Another raised a signal flare and shot it into the sky.

Garrik cursed. "That's a signal. They weren't scouting us. They were marking our location."

Silvia clenched her fists. "Then we just confirmed we're a target."

The group disappeared before they could be captured. Silvia stood there, feeling the weight of the moment settle on her shoulders. The Remnants weren't just well-trained; they were prepared for this.

"We need a response," she murmured.

Dragon glanced at her. "You have one in mind?"

She nodded. "We need to know how deep their network goes. We need to send our own spies."

The Tension Rises

Back in the war room, Silvia paced again, trying to think ahead. The Remnants were organized. More than she had expected. Their movements were precise, planned. That meant they had a commander—someone who knew tactics, someone experienced.

Tarren leaned over the map. "If they marked us, it means they're preparing to move. We don't have long."

Garrik grumbled. "We should strike first. Hit them before they hit us."

Silvia ran a hand through her hair. "We still don't know their numbers. If we walk into an ambush, we'll be handing them a victory. We need to lure them out instead."

Dragon smirked. "And how do you plan on doing that?"

She exhaled. "We give them what they want."

Tarren frowned. "And what's that?"

Silvia's gaze hardened. "Me."

A Dangerous Plan

The next morning, Silvia stood in the open fields just beyond the city's outer defenses. A single flag of parley waved behind her, a universal sign of negotiation.

Dragon stood beside her, tense. "I don't like this."

"You're not supposed to," she said, keeping her eyes on the treeline. "But we need to know who's leading them. We need to know what they want."

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees. Tall, armored, and calm. He moved like someone who had seen war before. And when he finally stepped into the light, Silvia's stomach twisted.

She knew that face.

Garrik whispered beside her. "That's impossible."

The man smirked, his gaze locking onto Silvia's. "Hello again, Earthstar. Did you miss me?"

Beneath the Surface

The moment stretched long between them. Silvia's fingers twitched at her side, but she forced herself to remain calm. "You should be dead."

The man's smirk didn't waver. "So should you. But fate has a funny way of keeping the important players in the game."

Dragon's hand rested lightly on the hilt of his weapon. "You're making a mistake coming here."

The man ignored him, keeping his attention on Silvia. "We should talk."

"We have nothing to discuss," Silvia said evenly.

"Oh, but we do. You want to stop this war before it begins? Then let's negotiate."

Tarren stepped forward. "Why would we believe anything you say?"

The man chuckled. "Because the alternative is bloodshed, and while I don't mind spilling some, I think your city might."

Silvia took a deep breath. This was a trap. She knew it. And yet, she also knew they couldn't afford to refuse. Not yet.

"Fine. But this will be on my terms."

The man inclined his head. "Then lead the way."

Silvia turned toward the city, her mind already calculating her next move. The war had already begun. Now, it was just a matter of who struck first.

The Shadows Close In

Later that night, Silvia stood in the council chamber, staring at the map where the latest reports from their spies had been marked. The Remnants weren't just one faction; they had multiple outposts, each one preparing for a prolonged campaign. She knew they had to strike soon.

Dragon approached, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to do this alone."

She exhaled. "I know. But I need to be ready."

Dragon gave her a half-smirk. "You were born ready. But just in case, I'll be by your side when we tear them apart."

Garrik entered, his expression grim. "The spies returned. They have something we need to see."

Silvia's stomach clenched. "What is it?"

Tarren laid a worn, bloodstained piece of cloth on the table. It was a flag—a Titan banner, but it had been altered with the mark of the Remnants.

"They aren't just rebels," Tarren said quietly. "They're trying to rebuild Titan from the ashes."

Silvia clenched her fists. "Then we burn them down before they succeed."