The light of dawn, pale and distant, barely managed to illuminate the ash-covered landscape. The wind carried with it echoes of a devastated past, where cities were little more than rubble and the memories of a prosperous era faded like smoke.

Reik walked quickly, his gray cloak billowing behind him as he advanced along the secret path leading to the hideout. His green eyes scanned every shadow, alert to any movement. Ever since the devils took over the kingdom, vigilance had become a matter of survival. His blonde hair, though covered in dust, shone like a beacon amidst the gray.

He wasn't alone. Two hooded figures walked beside him. Laira, a young elf with a piercing gaze and silent movements, and Tharion, a burly dwarf with a braided beard, who carried a massive hammer on his back. The three were heading to a meeting in a place known by few: the secret headquarters of the Guild of Lions, a clandestine group of fighters dedicated to freeing the kingdom from the infernal yoke.

—Do you think we'll arrive before sunset?— Laira asked, breaking the silence with her soft voice, while staying alert to their surroundings.

Reik didn't take his eyes off the path but nodded slightly.

—If everything goes according to plan, we should be there before nightfall, —he replied. He didn't like talking much, but he knew his companions needed some assurance of their safety. Although in these times, safety was an illusion.

Tharion let out a deep laugh, though it lacked humor.

—Bah, as if it matters whether we arrive sooner or later. If the devils find us, time won't make a difference, — he said, adjusting the hammer on his back. —Although if there's a fight, I wouldn't mind landing a few hits before dying.

Reik glanced at him sideways with a half-smile.

—I'd rather not die today, Tharion. There's still much to do.

The dwarf laughed again, but his laughter faded as the landscape changed before them. The path wound between ash-covered hills until they arrived at a massive rock that seemed as ordinary as the rest.

—Is this the place? — Laira asked, eyeing the rock with distrust.

Reik stepped forward and pressed his hand against the surface of the rock. A few seconds later, the ground trembled slightly, and a crack appeared, revealing a hidden entrance. The Guild of Lions had hidden well for years.

—Let's go. We don't have all day, —Reik said as he entered the opening, followed by his companions.

—How did you know where the entrance was? — Tharion asked, surprised.

—I have no idea. It was like I had been here before, —Reik replied, equally surprised.

The inside of the cave was lit by torches burning with blue flames, a reminder that magic still flowed in some parts of the world. Inside, a dozen figures were gathered around a stone table. All of them were hardened warriors, some with visible scars, others with eyes heavy with untold stories.

At the head of the table stood Kaiser, the leader of the guild, a tall, serious man whose gaze seemed to analyze every new member. When Reik entered, Kaiser looked up and nodded.

—You've arrived just in time, Reik, — he said, his deep voice resonating through the cave. —The situation is more critical than we expected.

—How do you know me? — Reik asked, concern etched on his face.

—It's a long story, but we don't have time for that now. Sit down, and let's talk, — Kaiser replied.

Reik approached, allowing his companions to settle in silence.

Kaiser sighed, placing both hands on the table.

—The devils have strengthened the kingdom's borders. They've taken control of the last strategic points we had left, — he explained, pointing to a map covered in red marks. —If we don't act now, there won't be any more resistance. We need to move quickly; time is running out.

Reik listened intently, but his mind was distracted. Kaiser's words echoed in his head, but he couldn't shake the unease stirred by the leader's gaze. How did he know him? Why had he spoken as if he knew something more about him—something Reik himself didn't remember?

Kaiser paused and looked directly at him.

—Reik, I know you're troubled by my words. I promise that when we have time, I'll explain everything you need to know. But right now, we need your help.

—Alright, —Reik replied, fixing his gaze on Kaiser. ¿What's the plan?

Kaiser observed the map in silence for a moment before continuing. With a firm gesture, he pointed to a region that wasn't marked in red, but was surrounded by the lines of devil-controlled territories.

—Before we launch a suicidal offensive against their lines, there's something we must do, — Kaiser said gravely. —In this area… — he pointed to a spot in the south, — …the devils have captured a large number of slaves. But these aren't ordinary slaves. Most of them were warriors of the old kingdom—soldiers, swordsmen, even some high-ranking captains. People who fought for freedom before being defeated and enslaved.

Reik raised an eyebrow, surprised.

—They're... alive? — he asked.

—Yes, barely. They've been enslaved in the Shadow Valley fields, forced to work until they die or used as entertainment for the devils, — Kaiser frowned. —However, if we manage to free them, they could join our cause. We'd not only recover valuable fighters but also those who know the kingdom's war strategies. With their help, our chances of success would increase significantly.

Laira, who had remained silent, stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with a spark of hope.

—Are you saying we have a real chance to recover part of our army? — she asked, clearly intrigued.

—Exactly, —Kaiser replied. —But the mission won't be easy. The devils have reinforced their surveillance in the area. They're using these warriors not only as slaves but also as a warning to anyone who dares to resist. If we manage to infiltrate and free them, we'll not only regain allies but also weaken the devils' forces in that region.

Tharion, ever the pragmatist, crossed his arms.

—And how exactly do you plan to get into a camp full of devils and free an army of slaves?" he asked skeptically.

Kaiser smiled faintly, as if he had been waiting for that question.

—We won't enter head-on, Tharion. Our spies have provided us with key information: the defenses in Shadow Valley rely on a magical surveillance network the devils have deployed. If we can disable those control points, we could move unnoticed long enough to free the prisoners and arm them.

Tharion let out a deep sigh.

—It's madness, but if we're going to die, I'd rather do it with an army behind me, — he said with a wry grin.

Reik remained silent for a moment, weighing his options. Finally, he looked at Kaiser.

—I'm in. Let's free those warriors and give these devils what they deserve.

Kaiser gave a slight smile and nodded.

—Good. Rest and prepare yourselves. At dawn, we head for Shadow Valley.