As the crackling flames licked the remnants of the bandit camp, Drake, bruised and bloodied, stumbled backwards, his gaze fixated on Shinon. His voice trembled as he desperately reached for the radio device hanging from his belt, his fingers trembling with exhaustion and fear.
"This is Drake... calling for backup... Phoenixes... they've attacked... I need reinforcements. I can't hold them off much longer..."
His words echoed into the silence, carried by the crackling radio waves. Drake knew that his pleas were futile, that the Bandit King and his men were unlikely to come to his aid. But he had to try, to make one last attempt to salvage the dire situation he found himself in.
As he released the button, Drake turned around, his gaze falling upon Shinon standing next to a gnarled tree.
