The Shadow Behind Victory

Night fell silently. Thick fog enveloped the fortress like a veil of death, creating shadows that moved dimly in the dim light.

This was the last night for those who lived inside.

Outside the fortress, Raka and his team were ready. They were not a large force, but they had something more dangerous: careful planning and a will to kill.

"Aruna," Raka's voice came through his communication device, "we are in position. Are you ready?"

From inside the fortress, Aruna crouched on the roof of one of the small buildings. Her eyes were sharp, the essence of death flowing through her veins.

"Ready."

"Okay," Raka said. "Starting in five… four… three…"

Aruna took a deep breath. Once this started, there was no turning back.

"Two… one… Attack."

BOOM!

The sound of an explosion shook the air as the power generator behind the fort was shattered into pieces. Flames erupted, illuminating the previously pitch-black night.

"The power's out!" Bayu shouted over the comms.

Instantly, the entire fort was thrown into chaos.

The guards who had been keeping watch were now running around in confusion. No lights, no comms—they were blind and deaf in the darkness.

That was when Aruna made her move.

She launched herself from the roof at a terrifying speed, her ice knife flashing through the air before penetrating the neck of one of the panicked guards.

Blood flowed, freezing in the cold air.

Without stopping, Aruna spun around, avoiding the aim of another enemy, then slashed quickly. Three people fell in less than five seconds.

Meanwhile, outside the fort, Raka and his team began to push in.

"Vina, the comms tower!" Raka shouted.

Vina had already moved. Two arrows shot from her energy-coated bow, piercing the comms equipment on top of the tower.

A small explosion followed.

"Tower down," Vina reported.

Raka smiled faintly. Two targets had been destroyed.

Only one remained—their leader.

Inside the fortress, Aruna moved like a shadow. Every step brought death, every slash ended a life.

She passed through the corridors that had once been hers, wiping out every guard that stood in her way.

There was only one goal in mind.

Their leader.

And she found him.

In the main chamber of the fortress, a tall man with a scar on his face stood angrily, holding a large axe. His red eyes glowed in the darkness.

"You…!"

Aruna stepped into the dim light, her face expressionless.

"It's good to see you again, Varun."

The man growled. "You should have died!"

Aruna raised her ice knife, cold vapor surrounding the blade. Her eyes were unblinking.

"And you should never have been born."

Varun roared and charged forward, his axe swinging with enough force to shatter bone.

Aruna dodged swiftly, sliding across the floor with the agility of a wolf.

The axe hit the floor, creating a large crack.

But Aruna was behind her.

SHKK!

Her ice knife shot out, piercing Varun's shoulder.

The man growled, but brutally pulled the knife out and slammed it into the ground.

Aruna stepped back, her eyes focused.

Varun was no mere brute. He was strong and experienced.

But Aruna was faster.

They fought in the shadows, the great axe against the knife that moved like a flash of ice.

One slash nearly hit Aruna, but she jumped back. She then raised her hands—the air around her froze.

Varun realized the danger, but it was too late.

From the ground, ice spikes shot out in rapid succession, piercing his body.

Blood splattered.

The man growled, trying to reach for Aruna—but his legs were immobile.

He looked down. The ice had held him in place.

Aruna approached, her ice knife raised high.

She looked him in the eye.

"This is for my family."

SHHK!

The knife pierced Varun's heart.

The man staggered, his eyes wide—and in a matter of seconds, his life was gone.

His body fell.

Aruna stood over him, her breathing steady. Cold. Emotionless.

Done.

Outside, Raka and his team had finished the battle. The fortress had fallen.

When Aruna came out, Raka looked at her.

"How?"

Aruna looked back at her. Cold as ice blanketed the battlefield.

"It's over."

Vina exhaled. "Oh my, did you really finish him off?"

Aruna didn't answer. She just passed them and walked into the distance.

The night was still long, but for the first time in a long time…

Aruna felt free.

The once sturdy fortress was now nothing but rubble and corpses. Smoke still billowed from the destroyed generators, and the air was filled with the smell of blood and burning iron.

Raka stood amidst the ruins, his sword still stained with blood. He scanned his surroundings, making sure nothing was left.

"How many enemies died?" he asked.

Bayu wiped the blood from his cheek before answering, "Almost all of them. Some escaped, but they're no longer a threat."

Nadia glanced at Aruna, who was standing not far from them, staring at Varun's corpse that was now covered in a thin layer of ice.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

Aruna didn't answer right away. She just stared at the lifeless body in front of her, then sighed softly.

"…He deserved it."

Raka observed Aruna's expression for a moment before turning his gaze to the remains of the fortress.

"We have to move before reinforcements arrive."

Vina, who was checking supplies in the warehouse, nodded. "I found some weapons and supplies. These should last for a few weeks."

Bayu whistled. "Not bad. At least our efforts weren't in vain."

But before they could celebrate any further, gunshots suddenly rang out from a distance.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Raka immediately raised his hand. "Hide! Quick!"

They immediately took cover behind the ruins. From the north, several shadows emerged from the darkness.

They were not the remnants of Varun's troops.

Their clothes were too neat, their weapons more modern.

This was not just a group of bandits.

One of the men stepped forward, his body sturdy with a black military jacket that indicated his status. On his shoulder, a wolf fang emblem was in striking red.

Aruna narrowed her eyes. "Damn… I recognize that emblem."

Nadia turned to him. "Who are they?"

Aruna gritted her teeth.

"Fang Brigade."

A moment of silence enveloped their group.

Vina frowned. "Are you kidding me? Fang Brigade? The most brutal mercenaries in this area?"

Bayu stared at Aruna sharply. "Are you sure?"

Aruna nodded slowly. "I've seen them in action. They don't care about the law. If they're here, it means someone hired them."

Raka took a deep breath. "Which means there's someone else who wants this fortress to fall into their hands."

The man in the black jacket stopped a few meters away from them. A faint smile appeared on his face as he looked at Varun's corpse.

"Amazing… I thought it would take more time to finish this bastard off, but you guys did it faster than we expected."

He looked at Aruna.

"And you… I've heard a lot about you."

Aruna remained silent, but her hand was already on the hilt of her knife.

The man continued, "My name is Reiner. I'm the second-in-command of the Fang Brigade."

His gaze shifted to Raka.

"How about we talk? I'm sure we can come to an agreement."

Raka stepped forward, looking Reiner straight in the eye.

"What kind of deal?"

Reiner grinned. "Simple. You go, leave this fortress to us, and I'll make sure no one comes after you."

Bayu snorted. "And if we refuse?"

Reiner smiled wider. "Then I'll kill you on the spot."

The atmosphere grew tense.

Aruna glanced at Raka, waiting for a signal.

Raka thought for a moment. They had just finished a battle, and now a new enemy had arrived.

But giving up the fortress just like that? That wasn't an option.

Raka took a breath.

"Fine," he said quietly.

Everyone stared at him, including the Fang Brigade.

"We'll talk."

Reiner nodded. "Smart."

But behind those words, Raka was already planning his next move.

This battle wasn't over yet.