Katsuo stared out over the bustling city of Valheim, the flickering torches lighting up the streets below like a sea of stars. His mind was racing as he replayed the warning from Yumi's contact. Gregor's army was on the move, and Valheim was in its sights. Every second they wasted put them closer to disaster.
Taka entered Katsuo's office, his usual grin replaced with a grim expression. "I sent word to our allies in the surrounding villages. They're fortifying their defenses, but they don't have enough manpower to hold off a full-scale assault."
Katsuo sighed. "We're running out of options, Taka. If Gregor's army gets here before we've gathered enough forces, Valheim will fall—and with it, our entire operation."
"We can't let that happen," Taka replied, his tone hard. "We've worked too hard to build this network. There has to be something we can do."
Katsuo nodded, his mind racing for solutions. He thought back to his earlier days in Landor—the simple life of a merchant peddler—and how far he had come. The stakes were much higher now, and he could feel the weight of his responsibility pressing down on him. People were depending on him.
"There is one thing," Katsuo said, after a long pause. "If we can get ahead of Gregor's army, we might be able to delay them long enough for reinforcements to arrive. We'll need to sabotage their supply lines, cut off their food and weapons. Without those, they'll lose their momentum."
Taka frowned. "That's a risky plan. We'd need to infiltrate their camp, and Gregor's forces are bound to have heavy security."
"I know," Katsuo replied. "But it's our best shot. We can't afford to fight them head-on with the numbers they have."
Just then, Yumi and Makoto entered the room. Yumi was holding a map of Valheim and the surrounding region, her eyes scanning it with intense focus. Makoto, on the other hand, looked uncharacteristically serious, his usual smirk nowhere to be found.
"We've got a problem," Yumi said, spreading the map on the table. "Gregor's forces aren't just approaching from one direction. He's split them into three groups—one coming from the north, one from the south, and the last from the east. He's planning a coordinated attack."
Katsuo's heart sank. "So he's trying to trap us."
Yumi nodded. "Exactly. If all three groups reach Valheim at the same time, we'll be surrounded. There's no way we can defend against that."
Makoto crossed his arms. "Looks like your sabotage plan just got a lot more complicated."
Katsuo rubbed his temples, trying to think. The situation was worse than he'd feared. But he couldn't give up now. He'd fought too hard to let Gregor win. He turned to Yumi and Taka, his gaze steely.
"We'll need to split up," Katsuo said. "Taka, you'll take a small team and hit the northern group's supply line. Yumi, you'll handle the southern group. I'll take the east. If we can disrupt all three at the same time, we'll throw their entire plan into chaos."
Makoto raised an eyebrow. "And what about me?"
"You're coming with me," Katsuo replied. "We're going to need all the help we can get."
Makoto grinned, his usual cocky demeanor returning. "Fine by me. Let's see if Gregor's soldiers are as tough as they claim to be."
Yumi hesitated for a moment. "This is risky, Katsuo. If even one of us fails, Gregor's forces will have the advantage."
Katsuo nodded, acknowledging the danger. "I know. But if we don't do this, Valheim falls. We don't have a choice."
Later that night, under the cover of darkness, Katsuo and Makoto moved eastward through the dense forests surrounding Valheim. Katsuo's mind was focused on the task at hand—sabotaging Gregor's eastern group. They had no time to waste.
Makoto walked beside him, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. "I'll give you this, Katsuo. You've got guts. Most people would have fled by now."
"I don't have the luxury of running," Katsuo replied. "Too many people are counting on me."
Makoto smirked. "That's what makes you different. You actually care about this place, these people. Most folks in your position would be looking out for themselves."
Katsuo remained silent, though Makoto's words resonated with him. He had come to care about Valheim and the people he'd met along the way—Yumi, Taka, Makoto. They weren't just his allies; they were his friends. And he wasn't about to let Gregor take that away from him.
After several hours of navigating the forest, they reached the edge of Gregor's eastern encampment. Katsuo crouched behind a tree, surveying the area. The camp was well-fortified, with guards posted at every entrance and patrols circling the perimeter. Supply wagons were stationed in the center, surrounded by rows of tents.
Makoto crouched beside him, grinning. "So, what's the plan? Sneak in, blow up their supplies, and get out?"
"Something like that," Katsuo replied, pulling out a small pouch of explosives. "We'll need to be quick. If we're spotted, it's over."
Makoto's eyes gleamed. "Sounds like my kind of mission."
They waited until one of the patrols passed by, then slipped into the camp, moving silently between the tents. Katsuo could hear the low murmur of soldiers talking, the clinking of armor and weapons being prepared for battle. The tension was palpable.
They reached the supply wagons without incident, and Katsuo carefully placed the explosives under the largest wagon, which appeared to be carrying weapons. He glanced at Makoto, who was keeping watch.
"Ready?" Katsuo whispered.
Makoto nodded. "Let's do this."
Katsuo lit the fuse and they slipped back into the shadows, moving quickly but quietly. Just as they reached the edge of the camp, a deafening explosion rocked the ground. Shouts erupted from the soldiers as they scrambled to figure out what had happened.
Katsuo and Makoto didn't wait around to find out. They sprinted through the forest, the sound of chaos behind them.
Once they were far enough away, Makoto laughed, his breath coming in gasps. "That was too easy!"
"Don't get cocky," Katsuo replied, though he couldn't help but smile. "We're not out of the woods yet."
They continued moving, the night air cool against their skin. Katsuo's heart was pounding, but a sense of relief washed over him. They had succeeded—for now.
But the war with Gregor was far from over.
Back in Valheim, Yumi and Taka had also completed their missions, successfully sabotaging the northern and southern groups. Katsuo, Yumi, Taka, and Makoto regrouped at the city gates, their exhaustion evident but their spirits high.
"We did it," Yumi said, her voice filled with relief. "Gregor's forces are in disarray. They won't be attacking Valheim anytime soon."
Katsuo nodded, though his expression remained serious. "This was just the beginning. Gregor's still out there, and he won't stop until he has control of this city."
Taka placed a hand on Katsuo's shoulder. "Then we'll be ready. Whatever he throws at us, we'll face it together."
Katsuo smiled at his friends, his resolve stronger than ever. "Together."