The sky had darkened as Kael and his group made their way through the rugged hills. The path to the fortress was treacherous, winding through jagged cliffs and dense forest, where every shadow seemed to hide an enemy. The air was thick with tension, and Kael could feel the weight of the journey pressing down on them all.
They had pushed hard for days, barely stopping to rest. The Iron Circle was closing in, and the fortress was still hours away. Kael knew they were running out of time.
"We need to move faster," he muttered, glancing back at the others.
Veyron, his face drawn with exhaustion, gave a slight nod. Harlan and the rest of the group lagged behind, their eyes hollow, their bodies worn from the relentless march. They were reaching their breaking point, and Kael could feel the strain in the air.
"We're close," Kael said, his voice steady but firm. "Once we reach the fortress, we can regroup. Kerric might already be there."
"Assuming he's alive," Harlan muttered under his breath.
Kael shot him a sharp look but said nothing. They couldn't afford to think like that, not now.
As they moved deeper into the forest, the group's pace slowed. The air felt thick, heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth, but beneath that, Kael could sense something else. Danger. They were being watched, he could feel it.
Veyron fell into step beside him. "The men are on edge. We've been pushing hard, and we don't even know if Kerric's there."
"He's there," Kael said, his voice hard. "And if he's not, we'll find out who is."
Veyron glanced back at the others. "Harlan's right, you know. We're running blind. If we're walking into a trap"
"Then we'll fight our way out," Kael snapped.
Veyron's eyes darkened, but he didn't argue. They both knew the risks. But Kael couldn't afford to show doubt. If he wavered, the entire group would fall apart.
They pressed on in silence, the forest growing darker around them as the sun dipped below the horizon. The fortress was close, Kael could feel it. But so was something else.
A sound broke the silence. A rustling in the trees, faint but distinct. Kael's hand went to his sword, his body tensing. The others froze, their eyes scanning the shadows.
"Did you hear that?" Harlan whispered, his voice barely audible.
Kael nodded, motioning for silence. They weren't alone.
Without warning, the forest erupted into chaos. Figures emerged from the trees, cloaked in shadow, their blades gleaming in the dim light. Iron Circle scouts. Kael's sword was in his hand before he even registered the attack, the sound of steel clashing with steel filling the air.
The first scout lunged at Kael, his sword aimed for Kael's chest. Kael sidestepped the blow, driving his own blade into the man's side. Blood splattered across the ground as the scout crumpled, but more were already upon him.
"Harlan! Veyron!" Kael shouted, his voice drowned out by the clash of battle.
The group was scattered, each man fighting for his life as the scouts descended upon them. Kael moved through the chaos with precision, his sword cutting through the air with deadly accuracy. But the scouts were fast, trained killers, just like him.
A blade slashed across Kael's arm, the pain sharp and immediate. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the burning sensation as he parried another strike. The scout in front of him was quick, but Kael was quicker. He ducked under the man's swing, driving his sword up into his chest. The scout fell with a gasp, blood pooling beneath him.
Around him, the others fought with everything they had. Veyron had already taken down two scouts, his sword flashing in the dying light. But Harlan was struggling, his movements slower, more desperate.
Kael moved toward him, cutting down another scout as he reached Harlan's side. "Stay with me!" Kael shouted, blocking a blow aimed at Harlan's head.
Harlan nodded, his face pale but determined. Together, they pushed back against the scouts, their swords cutting through the enemy line with brutal efficiency. But the scouts weren't backing down.
Suddenly, a loud whistle cut through the din of battle, and the scouts hesitated for a brief moment before retreating into the shadows. The sudden shift in the fight left Kael standing amidst the bodies of the fallen, his sword dripping with blood.
"They're regrouping," Veyron said, breathing heavily as he joined Kael. "Or waiting for reinforcements."
Kael scanned the tree line, his instincts screaming that this wasn't over. "We need to move. Now."
As the group gathered their weapons, Kael's mind was already focused on their next steps. They couldn't afford to linger here. The Iron Circle would send more scouts, and next time, they might not be so lucky.
"We're moving," Kael said, his voice cold. "The fortress isn't far."
Veyron nodded, though his eyes were filled with doubt. "You think Kerric's still alive?"
"He's alive," Kael said, more to himself than anyone else. He had to believe it.
The group gathered their weapons, their bodies aching from the fight. They were battered, bruised, but still standing. Kael led them forward, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
As they crested the next hill, the fortress came into view.
It was an imposing structure, built into the side of the mountain, its stone walls towering over the landscape. The sight of it brought a brief surge of relief to Kael's chest. But something wasn't right. The fortress was too quiet, no movement, no guards.
Kael's jaw tightened as they approached the entrance. The doors were slightly ajar, creaking in the wind. He motioned for the others to stay back as he stepped inside.
The fortress was empty.
Kael's heart sank as he walked through the silent halls of the fortress. Dust covered the floors, and the air was thick with the scent of abandonment. Whoever had been here was long gone.
But as Kael moved deeper into the fortress, a single thought burned in his mind: Where is Kerric?