With hope reignited in the encampment, Rifi and Kaelin finally allowed themselves a moment to recover and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. The morale boost they had provided was undeniable. The battered and weary legionaries had seen their battlemages take control of the battlefield, pushing back the relentless waves of corrupted beasts. For the first time in days, there was a flicker of optimism, a belief that they could survive what had once seemed like an inevitable downfall.
Despite the dire state of the camp, Commander Edran made sure that Rifi and Kaelin had a tent to themselves. It was a modest accommodation, nothing extravagant, but enough to allow them the privacy they needed. It was a small luxury amidst the chaos, and though Rifi felt a twinge of guilt accepting it while the legionaries and civilians were packed together, he understood its necessity. As battlemages, they carried a weight beyond just their combat prowess. They were symbols of strength and order, and maintaining that appearance was crucial in times like these.
Beyond that, there were practical considerations. The enemy's tactics had shown a certain cunning, targeting communication lines and attempting to isolate the western encampment. Rifi couldn't dismiss the possibility that spies had infiltrated the camp. Even a small tent away from the masses provided a measure of security, a space where he could think clearly and prepare without prying eyes.
Night fell quickly, and Rifi spent hours meditating with mana stones, restoring the reserves he had expended on the battlefield. The mana replenished his core, and his body recovered slowly with the circulation of mana, healing and nourishing his every cell. Afterward, he allowed himself a few precious hours of sleep. It wasn't deep, but it was enough to restore his focus.
Morning came quickly, the first light of dawn slipping through the thin fabric of the tent. Rifi rose with a sense of purpose. He stretched, testing his body for any lingering soreness, but found that his meditation had done its work. Feeling refreshed, he donned his armor and ensured that his equipment was in perfect condition. His swords, polished and sharp, gleamed faintly in the dim light, and he carefully adjusted the cloak over his shoulders. It was more than just a piece of clothing—it was a symbol of Hepestus as the insignia was proudly displayed on the cloak, a sign to the men and women of the Legion that Hepestus will prevail as long as the Legionaries still carried its insignia proudly.
As Rifi stepped out of the tent, the camp was eerily quiet. The usual buzz of morning activity was subdued, no doubt a result of the previous night's grueling battle. A few scattered sounds echoed through the air—the clang of metal from the blacksmith's corner, hushed conversations between sentries, and the distant rumble of fighting to the west. The skirmishes had already begun again.
'They really are intent on keeping the Legion trapped here,' Rifi thought grimly as he crossed the encampment to the commander's tent, the sounds of battle serving as a constant reminder of the pressure they were under.
Upon entering, he was slightly surprised to see he was the last to arrive. Commander Edran stood at the head of a long table, flanked by Kaelin and the four green-core Legionaries who had been selected for the mission. The atmosphere was tense but focused.
"Good to see you could finally join us," Kaelin quipped, though his tone lacked any bite. His arms were crossed as he stood beside the commander, his usual intensity tempered by the morning's gravity.
Rifi gave a short nod in return. "Apologies for the delay. I needed to make sure I was fully prepared. We can't afford to make mistakes."
Edran, ever the pragmatic leader, waved his hand dismissively. "You're here now, and that's what matters. Let's get down to business."
Edran tapped a spot on the map, marked with red circles denoting key locations where the enemy had been spotted. "The enemy is keeping us pinned down here with constant pressure. The scouts haven't been able to push deep into enemy territory due to ambushes. That said, two of these Legionaries," he nodded toward Tessa and Bren, "are some of our best stealth mages. They managed to scout one of the mana veins where Clan Vesri was supposed to be guarding it."
Tessa and Bren, both standing tall and battle-hardened, gave Rifi and Kaelin a nod. Tessa, with her sharp green eyes and quiet confidence, exuded a calm readiness, while Bren, stockier and broad-shouldered, had the air of someone used to slipping into the shadows unnoticed.
"They found signs of a battle," Edran continued grimly. "Clan Vesri fought hard, but they're gone it seems. The enemy still occupies the area, likely draining or destroying the vein."
Kaelin frowned. "That leaves the remaining veins at risk."
Edran pointed to three more locations on the map. "There are three other significant mana veins near the western border. Two of them are under the direct control of the City Lord's forces. The third vein is farther north-east, whereas the other two are south-east from us where most enemy activity was sighted. We believe the enemy may strike there next. We can't afford to let any more mana veins get drained or destroyed."
Rifi's eyes narrowed as he studied the map. "If the enemy drains those veins, the entire western mana supply will be lost. We'll be much weakened, placing us in a dyre situation."
Edran nodded gravely. "Everything is indicating that the enemy moves to the south of us. and that is also where most of the remaining mana veins are. The good news is that all four of these Legionaries are proficient in stealth magic. Tessa and Bren, will scout the northern vein alone, as I belive this mana vein to be currently the safest. The other two," he gestured toward Voren and Cale, "will split up—one will accompany Rifi, the other will go with Kaelin to the veins controlled by the City Lord, to the south."
Voren, with his sharp, hawk-like features, and Cale, broader and more rugged, stood ready. Voren's reputation for precision and stealth was well known, while Cale, despite his larger build, had a natural talent for moving undetected. Both of them had seen their share of battles on the front lines.
Kaelin stepped forward, nodding in approval. "Splitting up makes sense. If we can gather information from all three locations, we'll be able to act before the enemy can finish whatever they're planning."
Rifi added, "We have to assume the enemy's forces are already positioned near the veins. Our job is to get in, gather intelligence, and get out without engaging unless absolutely necessary."
Edran leaned over the map once more, pointing to the three locations. "This will require speed and precision. You'll move out within the hour. The northern team will likely face more danger since you have no battlemages with you, so you'll need to be extra careful. If you encounter resistance, do not engage. Return immediately with whatever information you've gathered."
Tessa, her voice steady and calm, responded, "We understand, Commander. Bren and I will move quietly. If the enemy's there, we'll find them."
Bren, standing beside her, nodded in agreement. "We'll get eyes on the vein and the clan in charge of it and report back."
Kaelin adjusted his sword, a gleam of fire mana already flickering beneath the surface. "Voren and I will take the midle vein. If the enemy's there, we'll see them coming before they even know we're close."
Rifi gave Cale a nod, acknowledging the trust placed in the stealth mage who would be accompanying him. "Cale and I will cover the southmost vein. We'll make sure nothing slips past us."
Commander Edran looked at each of them, his eyes hardened by years of command. "This is our chance to turn the tide. Find out what the enemy's doing and stop them if you can. We can't afford to lose any more veins. The Legion's survival depends on you."
With the mission set, Edran gave a final nod, signaling the end of the briefing. "You have one hour to prepare. Gather your supplies, sharpen your blades, and make sure your mana is fully replenished. We'll be watching for your return."
The Legionaries saluted sharply, understanding the gravity of the task. This was no ordinary mission—they were being sent into the heart of the enemy's operations.
As Rifi and Kaelin turned to leave the tent, Kaelin glanced at Rifi, a faint grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. "You ready for this?"
Rifi chuckled, though his tone was serious. "I'm always ready. Let's just make sure we're not too late."
One hour passed quickly. The group gathered at the southern perimeter, the sky still dimly lit by the early morning light. The air was crisp, the scent of earth and smoke mingling in the breeze. Tessa and Bren stood to one side, finalizing their equipment and mentally preparing for their mission. Voren and Cale were nearby, checking their gear and weapons one last time before they split up with their respective battlemages.
Tessa approached Rifi, her green eyes sharp and determined. "Bren and I will take the northern path. We'll keep an eye on the enemy's movements and return as soon as we have something."
"Good," Rifi said. "We can't afford to lose anyone on this mission. Get the information, then get out. We'll meet back here before sundown."
Tessa smiled faintly, her confidence unwavering. "We'll make it back."
Bren, ever the quiet one, simply nodded before setting off with Tessa, their forms quickly vanishing into the shadows as their stealth magic activated.
Kaelin turned to Voren, his tone gruff but encouraging. "Stick close, and keep your mana flow steady. The second we get to the vein, we'll assess the situation. If there's any sign of trouble, let me handle it, you retreat with the information."
Voren responded with a curt nod, his features as sharp as his focus. "Understood."
Cale moved to stand beside Rifi, his large frame surprisingly light-footed. "I'll make sure we're not seen before we need to be," he said, his voice low but resolute. "If there's anything out there, we'll know it."
"Good," Rifi replied, his mind already focused on the mission ahead. "Let's move."
With that, the teams split up, Rifi and Kaelin leading their groups toward the mana veins under the bigger threat. The hour had come, and the fate of the western front hung in the balance.
Every step they took brought them closer to the heart of the enemy's plan. Every moment counted, and failure was not an option.