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Chapter 46 - Reflections on the Long Road

On a path shaded by trees, the Sage Rat walked slowly, his eyes looking forward while his mind drifted deep in thought. The recent battle was still vivid in his memory, each detail sharp and clear. He pondered his decision to sacrifice one to save many, realizing it might be the only way to bring temporary stability to this natural world.

However, his greatest concern wasn't the victory but the fate of the fallen rabbit. The image of that rabbit lingered in his mind, not just because of its tragic end, but due to the painful betrayal it endured. From his observations, the Sage Rat knew that this rabbit had willingly turned against its kin, secretly forming an alliance with the foxes for personal gain. But, as if in a twist of fate, it was eventually betrayed by those same foxes, just as it had once betrayed its own kind.

This realization brought the Sage Rat to a deeper truth: these battles were not solely about resources or territory but also revolved around trust, betrayal, and vengeance. In a world where each creature focused only on its own gain, scenes of suffering and treachery would likely continue unless change came from within.

Phase 3: Strategy and Betrayal

After suffering multiple defeats in open battlefields, the smaller animals begin to adopt guerrilla warfare tactics. They use tunnels and ambush techniques to launch nighttime attacks on the large predators. Meanwhile, some smaller birds begin to break away from the aerial alliance, seeking to establish a neutral zone.

Tensions escalate as the smaller animals achieve significant victories. Many predators start to mistrust one another, and within the large predator faction, infighting breaks out. Wolves and tigers disagree on how to continue the war, leading to small internal conflicts within their own faction.

The Sage Rat then understood that this brutal war had entered its third phase and was nearing its end. His heart felt lighter at the thought of the impending conclusion of this tragedy. A glimmer of hope lit up within him, filling his soul with joy, even though he knew more challenges lay ahead.

The Sage Rat lifted his head, gazing at the vast sky. "How many more plans will I need to bring peace?" he wondered. Though the answer remained uncertain, his unwavering determination would drive him forward until peace truly returned to the natural world.