The forest was eerily quiet as the group prepared to split. The faint light of dawn filtered through the canopy, casting long shadows over their tense faces. Kael leaned against a tree, spinning a dagger between his fingers with an air of detached confidence.
Gregory adjusted his pack and glanced at Eliza. "You ready for this?"
Eliza nodded, determination etched on her face. "Let's move before we lose any more time."
Ethan stepped forward, addressing them all. "Kael and I will track the shifter force and get a sense of their numbers and location. Eliza, Gregory—head to the rebel camp. Convince them to leave immediately. Stay alert and move fast."
Gregory raised an eyebrow. "No problem convincing them, but if they decide to throw us in a cage first, that's on you."
Eliza shot him a look but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Kael pushed off the tree and rolled his shoulders. "Enough talking. Time's wasting."
Ethan gave them one last nod. "Stay safe. We'll be in touch."
The group split, Kael and Ethan veering north while Eliza and Gregory disappeared into the forest toward the camp.
---
Ethan and Kael moved swiftly but cautiously. Ethan's magic pulsed faintly in his mind, a tether connecting him to Eliza. As they neared a ridge overlooking the plains, Kael crouched low and motioned for Ethan to stop.
"There," Kael whispered, pointing through the trees.
Below them, a shifter force marched in formation. Their numbers were staggering—easily fifty soldiers, each armed with weapons that gleamed even in the dim light.
Ethan's jaw tightened. "That's larger than I expected."
Kael smirked. "They always travel in packs. Makes them overconfident."
Ethan closed his eyes and focused, reaching out with his magic to connect with Eliza. The effort sent a faint warmth through his mind, and he heard her voice.
"Ethan?" Eliza's voice was clear but tinged with urgency.
"We've located the shifter force," Ethan said. "They're heading south-southeast, approximately ten miles from your position. How are things on your end?"
Eliza hesitated. "We're close to the camp. I'll update you once we've made contact."
"Be careful," Ethan warned.
"You too," Eliza replied before the connection faded.
Kael stood, scanning the area below. "They'll reach the camp in less than an hour at this pace. If Eliza doesn't get the rebels moving, they're finished."
Ethan nodded grimly. "Let's give her time."
---
Eliza and Gregory reached the rebel camp just as the sun began to rise. The camp was nestled in a small clearing, guarded by makeshift barricades. Several rebels emerged as the pair approached, weapons drawn and faces suspicious.
"Who are you?" one of them barked, a burly man with a crossbow aimed at Gregory's chest.
Gregory raised his hands, trying to look as non-threatening as possible. "Relax, we're not here to fight. We've got information that could save your lives."
Another rebel, a wiry woman with a scar running down her cheek, stepped forward. "Information about what?"
Eliza stepped up, her voice calm but commanding. "A shifter force is heading this way. They'll be here soon, and if you stay, they'll wipe you out."
The burly man sneered. "How do we know you're not working with them?"
Gregory groaned. "Do we look like shifters to you? If we wanted you dead, we wouldn't be standing here having this conversation."
The scarred woman studied them for a moment, then nodded. "Let them speak."
---
Back at the ridge, Ethan paced nervously. He had tried to reach Eliza several times, but there was no response.
"She's not answering," Ethan muttered.
Kael leaned against a tree, looking unimpressed. "Maybe she's busy not dying."
Ethan shot him a glare. "If they haven't moved the rebels, we'll have to buy them time."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You mean attack that force down there?"
Ethan unsheathed his energy sword, its blade humming faintly. "Yes."
"Are you insane?"
"Some times, yes."
"Do you have a death wish?"
"We have no choice. Our aim will not be to defeat the whole army, it'll be to distract them long enough to keep them from moving forward."
"What if we get killed before your princess friend gives us the all clear?"
"You underestimate me."
"I think you overestimate you."
"You said you were on our side and you wanted to help right? This is how you help."
"Fine." Kael sighed dramatically and cracked his neck. " We're definitely gonna die."
Ethan tightened his grip on the sword, but before they could descend, Eliza's voice echoed in his mind.
"Ethan? We've secured the rebels. They're moving now."
Ethan exhaled, relief flooding his chest. "Good. Send me the coordinates, and we'll meet you there."
"I'll send them now," Eliza replied.
Ethan sheathed his sword and glanced at Kael. "Change of plans. We're not gonna die today."
---
The coordinates led them to a dense part of the forest where Eliza and Gregory were waiting with the rebels. The group was tired but alive, and Ethan couldn't hide his relief when he saw Eliza.
"I'm glad that you're okay."
"Why wouldn't I be? It takes a lot more effort to take me down."
"No argument there." Ethan chuckled. "So can we count on them if the need arises?"
"Some of them have combat training and could be useful to us but even with their help, we'll be outnumbered by the shifters' force."
"We don't need to outnumber them to take them down. We just have to outwit them."
"How do we do that?"
"I was hoping you'd have the answer to that question."
---
Far behind them, at the ridge Ethan and Kael had just vacated, a shifter knelt on the ground. His amber eyes glowed faintly as he ran a clawed hand over the soil. He sniffed the air, his lips curling into a snarl.
"They were just here," he growled.
The shifter rose, his gaze fixed on the forest ahead.