Chapter 13: The Battle Plan
The camp was a hive of activity as the survivors prepared to move. Weapons were being sharpened, supplies packed, and the wounded were tended to as best as the medics could manage. But beneath the surface, there was a quiet tension. Everyone knew what was coming.
Jin stood near the center of the camp, directing groups of people toward their tasks. His mind was sharp, though weighed down with the enormity of their situation. He couldn't let it show. If he faltered now, the others would lose faith. He needed to project strength, even when he wasn't sure how much more he had to give.
Soojin approached, her brow furrowed as she scanned the crowd. "The scouts just came back," she said quietly, pulling Jin out of his thoughts. "The monsters are already on the move. We've got less time than we thought."
"How long do we have?" Jin asked, glancing toward the northern horizon, where the canyon lay in the distance.
"By late afternoon, they'll be close. We need to move now if we're going to make it to the canyon and set up defenses."
Jin cursed under his breath. That didn't give them much time to prepare, let alone fight. "Alright," he said, straightening up. "Start gathering the groups. We leave in fifteen minutes."
Soojin nodded and hurried off to relay the orders, her voice sharp and commanding as she roused the camp. Jin watched her for a moment, admiring the way she handled herself. She was a natural leader, someone people gravitated toward, and she'd been instrumental in holding everything together. Without her, they would've fallen apart weeks ago.
Joon appeared by his side, his arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed the preparations. "This is going to be close," he muttered.
Jin nodded. "Too close. But it's our best shot."
"We'll make it," Joon said, his voice full of quiet confidence. "We've survived worse odds."
Jin wanted to believe that, but something about this felt different. The monsters had been relentless, and they were only getting stronger. Every time they fought, it was like they were testing the survivors, pushing them to their limits. And now, with this new wave, it felt like they were on the edge of something far bigger than just another attack.
"Let's hope you're right," Jin said, his voice low. "Because if we're wrong, it's over."
Joon gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "We've got this, Jin. You've got this. We'll hold the line."
Jin didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The sun was climbing higher in the sky, the clock ticking down to their inevitable confrontation. He couldn't afford to let doubt creep in now. Not when so many lives were depending on him.
By the time the fifteen minutes had passed, the camp was ready to move. Jin stood at the front, scanning the assembled survivors. They were a ragtag group—soldiers, civilians, young and old—but they were all that stood between the monsters and the world outside.
"Listen up!" Jin called, his voice cutting through the chatter. "We're heading to the canyon. It's going to be a hard fight, but we can win this. Stick together, watch each other's backs, and follow the plan."
He could see the fear in their eyes, but also something else—determination. They weren't just fighting for survival anymore. They were fighting for something bigger, something that went beyond just getting through the next night. They were fighting for a future.
With a final nod, Jin led the group forward. They moved as quickly as they could, the weight of their weapons and supplies slowing them down, but there was an urgency in their steps. The ground beneath them was uneven, the terrain growing rockier as they approached the canyon.
By mid-afternoon, they reached the narrow pass that led into the canyon. It was a natural choke point, the walls towering high above them, casting long shadows over the path. It was exactly what they needed—tight enough to funnel the monsters into a narrow space, but wide enough to allow them room to maneuver.
Joon immediately began directing people to set up barricades along the entrance, using whatever they could find to fortify their position. Large rocks, broken weapons, and fallen trees were all piled up, creating makeshift defenses. The survivors worked quickly, their movements sharp and efficient as the sense of impending danger loomed over them.
Kyung-Soo appeared at Jin's side, his expression grim. "We've got about two hours before they're on us. The scouts have been tracking their movement, and they're moving fast."
Jin nodded, already running through the battle plan in his mind. "How are the defenses?"
"They're coming together," Kyung-Soo replied, glancing toward the barricades. "It's not perfect, but it's the best we can do with what we've got."
Jin's eyes scanned the walls of the canyon. There were several higher ledges that could be used to their advantage, offering a vantage point for archers and those with ranged weapons. It wasn't much, but it was something.
"We'll place the archers up there," Jin said, pointing to the ledges. "They can rain down fire on the monsters before they reach the barricades. Everyone else will hold the line here. We can't let them break through."
Kyung-Soo nodded and hurried off to relay the orders. Jin took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm brewing inside him. This was it. Everything they had done up to this point had led them here.
Soojin approached, her face set in grim determination. "Everything's in place. We're as ready as we'll ever be."
Jin nodded, but before he could respond, one of the scouts came sprinting toward them, his face pale with fear. "They're here!" he shouted, his voice carrying across the camp.
A ripple of tension spread through the group, the reality of the situation crashing down on them. Jin's heart raced as he turned to face the entrance of the canyon. In the distance, he could already hear it—the unmistakable sound of the monsters approaching. Their growls and snarls echoed off the canyon walls, growing louder with every passing second.
Jin drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the fading light. "Positions!" he shouted, his voice ringing out across the camp.
The survivors scrambled into place, their weapons at the ready, eyes fixed on the narrow entrance. The air was thick with anticipation, every breath held as they waited for the inevitable clash.
And then, they came.
The first wave of monsters surged into view, their grotesque forms charging down the canyon pass with terrifying speed. They were larger than before, more monstrous, their twisted bodies barely resembling anything human. Their eyes burned with an unnatural hunger, their claws tearing into the earth as they closed the distance.
"Archers!" Jin yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos.
A volley of arrows flew through the air, striking the monsters with deadly precision. Some of the creatures fell, but more took their place, their numbers seemingly endless.
The battle had begun.
End of Chapter 13