The night in Riverton was unusually quiet as Katsuo, Yumi, Makoto, and Taka sat around a small table at the local inn, sharing a meal. They had made significant progress in their quest to unite the villages against Gregor, but there was still much to be done. The war was looming, and with each passing day, the tension grew thicker.
Makoto, ever the light-hearted one, leaned back in his chair with a grin. "You know, for a town that just agreed to join a rebellion, they sure know how to cook a decent meal."
Taka chuckled as he tore into a piece of bread. "Enjoy it while it lasts, Makoto. Once we leave here, it's back to ration packs and dried meat."
Yumi, ever the watchful one, glanced around the inn. Her eyes scanned the room, looking for any signs of trouble. "Something doesn't feel right. We've had it too easy since we arrived. No resistance, no pushback from the town leader."
Katsuo leaned forward, his voice low. "You're right. This is a strategic location, and Gregor's not an idiot. He must know Riverton's value. The question is, why hasn't he attacked yet?"
The answer came sooner than expected.
The door to the inn swung open with a creak, and a figure entered, cloaked in dark robes. The man's face was obscured by a hood, but there was something about the way he moved that caught Katsuo's attention immediately.
The stranger approached their table, his steps light and deliberate. Without a word, he slid a folded piece of parchment across the table to Katsuo before turning and walking away, disappearing as quickly as he had arrived.
Katsuo unfolded the note, his brow furrowing as he read the message aloud. "Gregor's army marches at dawn. Someone in Riverton has already betrayed you."
The table fell silent.
Makoto blinked. "Well, that's…abrupt."
"Who could it be?" Taka asked, his hand tightening around his fork as if preparing for a fight.
"It could be anyone," Yumi said, her voice cold and calculating. "But we need to figure it out fast. If Gregor's army is on the way, we can't risk being caught off guard."
Katsuo clenched the note in his fist. "We need to speak to Captain Alric. If there's a traitor in this town, he'll know who to question."
The streets of Riverton were quiet as they made their way to the captain's quarters. The air was thick with the weight of impending conflict. Katsuo's mind raced as he considered their next steps. If the message was true, they were running out of time.
When they reached Captain Alric's office, they found him already preparing for battle. He stood over a large map, marking out possible strategies with a stern look on his face. He looked up as they entered.
"Katsuo," Alric greeted them. "I've just received word that Gregor's forces are advancing. We'll need to fortify the town immediately."
Katsuo nodded, but his expression remained serious. "There's something else. We've been warned that someone in Riverton has betrayed us. Gregor might have someone on the inside."
Alric's face darkened. "A traitor? In my town?"
"Do you have any idea who it could be?" Yumi asked, her tone sharp.
Alric's eyes flickered with a hint of uncertainty, but he quickly masked it. "Riverton has always been loyal. But…I won't pretend everyone is happy about joining your cause. There are those who fear Gregor's wrath more than they value their freedom."
"We need names," Taka said, crossing his arms. "We don't have time to play guessing games."
The captain sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "There's been talk of dissent from a few of the wealthier merchants. They've profited from Gregor's occupation, and losing his 'protection' would hurt their bottom line. One of them could be your traitor."
Katsuo considered this for a moment. "Do you have someone you trust who can investigate them quietly?"
Alric nodded. "I'll send my best scout to look into it. In the meantime, we'll prepare for the attack. I'll rally the town's militia, but we'll need all the help we can get."
As they left Alric's quarters, Katsuo's mind churned with thoughts. A traitor in their midst could spell disaster for their plan. They needed to be on high alert, but they also had to prepare for the battle ahead.
"Do you trust him?" Yumi asked, her voice barely above a whisper as they walked.
Katsuo glanced at her. "Alric? I think so. He has a lot to lose if Riverton falls."
"But we still don't know who's working with Gregor," Taka pointed out, frowning. "This whole town could turn on us if the wrong person gets to them."
Makoto, ever the optimist, clapped Katsuo on the back. "Well, no sense worrying about it now. We'll just have to be ready for anything."
Katsuo sighed. "That's the problem. We don't know what's coming."
The next morning, as the sun barely crept over the horizon, the sounds of preparation echoed throughout Riverton. The townsfolk worked tirelessly to reinforce the barricades, and the militia stood ready, armed with spears and swords.
Katsuo and his group stood on the town's walls, surveying the horizon. They knew Gregor's army would arrive soon, and the tension in the air was palpable.
"Here they come," Yumi said quietly, her eyes narrowing as she spotted movement in the distance.
Katsuo followed her gaze. Sure enough, a large force was approaching—Gregor's army. The ground seemed to tremble under the weight of their numbers. Hundreds of soldiers, clad in dark armor, marched toward Riverton like a wave ready to crash against the shore.
"We're outnumbered," Taka muttered. "By a lot."
Katsuo's jaw tightened. "We'll have to hold the line. Alric's militia will give us some support, but we need to take out their leaders if we want to stand a chance."
Makoto grinned, drawing his sword. "Good. I've been itching for a real fight."
As Gregor's forces drew nearer, the battle horns sounded, and the tension in the town rose to a fever pitch. Katsuo could feel his heart pounding in his chest as the first wave of soldiers clashed with the town's defenses.
Chaos erupted as steel met steel, the sounds of battle filling the air. Katsuo, Yumi, Makoto, and Taka fought fiercely, cutting through the enemy soldiers with precision and skill. But for every one they felled, two more seemed to take their place.
In the midst of the chaos, Katsuo spotted a familiar figure—a tall man in dark armor, standing at the back of Gregor's army, watching the battle unfold with a cold, calculating gaze.
"Gregor," Katsuo muttered under his breath.
Yumi followed his gaze, her expression hardening. "We need to get to him."
"Easier said than done," Taka said as he blocked an incoming attack. "He's got a whole army between us and him."
Katsuo's eyes narrowed. "Then we'll cut through them."
With a nod from his companions, Katsuo charged forward, leading the way as they fought their way toward Gregor. The tide of battle was against them, but they moved with determination, cutting through enemy after enemy.
Gregor watched their approach, a faint smile playing on his lips.
As Katsuo and his friends closed in, he knew one thing for certain—this fight was far from over.