Katsuo stood at the village's entrance, gazing at the now-fortified perimeter. Wooden barricades lined the outskirts, and the villagers, once fearful and hesitant, were now training with makeshift weapons. The transformation had been rapid—proof that the promise of hope could work wonders. But the work was far from over. They had secured one village, but they needed more.
"We've won this battle," Yumi said, stepping up beside him, her bow slung over her shoulder. "But there's a bigger war on the horizon."
Katsuo nodded. "And we're going to need more than just wooden spears and a handful of villagers to fight it. Gregor's army is regrouping, and when they come, it won't be just a few patrols."
Taka walked up, wiping sweat from his brow. He had been training the villagers in hand-to-hand combat and basic survival techniques. "Then we need to move fast. We should head to the neighboring towns and keep the momentum going. If we sit still for too long, Gregor will catch up."
Makoto, always the one with a grin, chuckled as he approached. "I don't know, I kind of like it here. Fresh bread, free ale…what's not to love?"
Katsuo couldn't help but laugh. "Enjoy it while it lasts. This peace is temporary. We'll be leaving for the next village tomorrow morning."
Makoto's smile faded slightly, but he nodded. "Then let's make sure we're ready."
The following morning, the group set off once again, traveling toward the next village in the eastern region, Riverton. Unlike the small village they had just liberated, Riverton was larger, with a strategic position near a river crossing that made it valuable to any army. Securing the town as an ally would be crucial in the coming war.
As they journeyed through dense forests and across rocky terrain, Katsuo couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The group moved cautiously, aware that Gregor's spies could be anywhere.
"I don't like this," Taka muttered, his eyes scanning the treeline. "It's too quiet."
"You're just paranoid," Makoto teased. "Not every forest is out to kill us, you know."
"Maybe not," Yumi said, her voice low. "But Taka's right. Something feels off."
Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes caught Katsuo's attention. He held up a hand, signaling the group to stop. His heart pounded in his chest as they waited, the silence heavy.
Without warning, a group of bandits emerged from the trees, weapons drawn. There were at least a dozen of them, all rough-looking men with greedy eyes.
"Well, well, well," one of the bandits sneered, stepping forward. "What do we have here? A bunch of travelers looking to make a donation to the bandit cause?"
Makoto smirked, his hand already resting on the hilt of his sword. "Sorry, but we're all out of charity today."
The bandit leader's face twisted into a scowl. "Then we'll just have to take it from you by force."
Katsuo exchanged a glance with his companions. They were outnumbered, but they had fought worse odds before. He drew his sword, his muscles tensing in preparation for the fight.
"Remember," Katsuo said quietly to his friends, "these are just common thieves. We can handle them."
With that, the battle began.
Makoto was the first to charge, his sword flashing through the air as he cut down the first bandit with ease. Taka followed close behind, using his beastmaster abilities to summon a large bear to his side, which charged into the fray with a roar. Yumi stayed back, firing arrows with deadly accuracy, each one finding its mark.
Katsuo fought his way through the bandits, his sword clashing against theirs with a ringing sound. The fight was chaotic, the bandits unorganized but desperate. Despite their numbers, it was clear they were no match for Katsuo and his group.
Within minutes, the bandits were either dead or fleeing into the forest.
Makoto wiped his sword clean on the grass, grinning. "That was almost too easy."
"Too easy is right," Yumi said, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the surroundings. "Bandits don't usually attack groups like ours unless they're desperate or being paid."
"Which means Gregor's forces might be closer than we thought," Katsuo added, his grip tightening on his sword. "We need to move quickly before more show up."
By the time they reached Riverton, the sun was beginning to set. The town was bustling with activity, merchants selling their wares in the marketplace and fishermen bringing in their latest catch from the river. It was a stark contrast to the quiet, tense atmosphere of the smaller villages.
Katsuo and his group approached the town gates, where a pair of guards stood watch. One of them eyed the group suspiciously.
"What's your business here?" the guard asked.
"We're here to speak with your town leader," Katsuo said calmly. "We have urgent news regarding Gregor's forces."
The guard's expression changed slightly at the mention of Gregor, and he nodded. "Wait here."
After a few minutes, the guard returned and led them through the town to a large building near the riverbank. Inside, they were greeted by a middle-aged man with graying hair and a stern expression. He sat behind a wooden desk, studying them carefully as they entered.
"I'm Captain Alric," the man said. "I've heard you've come with news of Gregor."
"Yes," Katsuo replied. "His forces are growing, and he's planning to launch an attack on Valheim. We're building an alliance to stand against him, and we need Riverton's support."
Captain Alric leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "I've heard of Gregor's raids, but Riverton has been lucky so far. We've managed to avoid his attention."
"That won't last," Yumi said, stepping forward. "He'll come for you eventually, just like he's come for every other town and village in this region. You can either wait for him to attack, or you can stand with us and fight."
Alric's eyes narrowed as he considered their words. "And what makes you think you can win? Gregor's army is one of the largest in the region. You're asking us to risk everything."
Katsuo met the captain's gaze. "I'm asking you to take control of your own fate. Gregor thrives on fear, but if we stand together, we can defeat him. We've already begun to unite the smaller villages, and with Riverton's support, we'll be one step closer to victory."
There was a long pause as Captain Alric weighed his options. Finally, he stood up from his desk and extended his hand to Katsuo.
"You make a convincing argument," Alric said. "Riverton will join your cause. But know this—we expect results. If you fail, we'll be the ones paying the price."
Katsuo shook the captain's hand, relief washing over him. "We won't fail."
As they left the captain's office and made their way back to the town square, Makoto let out a low whistle. "Well, that went better than expected."
Yumi smiled, though her eyes still held a hint of caution. "Don't get too comfortable. This is just the beginning. Gregor won't stop until he's crushed us all."
Taka patted his bear on the head, a grin on his face. "Then we'll just have to crush him first."
Katsuo looked out at the river, watching the water flow peacefully by. The tides of war were rising, and with each new ally they gained, the odds were shifting in their favor.
But he knew that the real battle was still to come.