The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air as Kael crouched at the edge of the clearing, his eyes locked on the group moving through the trees below. Kerric, alive, but bound, stumbling forward as his captors pushed him along. Kael's breath caught in his throat. After all the battles, all the sacrifices, there he was, within reach. But between them and Kerric stood at least two dozen armed men, all dangerous.
"We can't take them all," Veyron muttered, his eyes scanning the enemy ranks. "Not in the state we're in."
Kael's jaw tightened. He knew Veyron was right. Harlan was barely able to walk, and their group had been thinned by battles and exhaustion. But Kael couldn't, wouldn't, let Kerric slip away. Not after everything they'd been through.
"We're going after him," Kael said, his voice hard with resolve. "We wait until they stop for the night, then we strike."
Veyron's expression was grim. "It's risky."
"It's our only option," Kael replied. His mind was already racing, planning out the attack. "We can't afford to wait any longer."
Night fell quickly, the cold air thick with tension as Kael and the group watched from their hiding spot. Below them, Kerric's captors had set up camp, small fires flickering in the darkness, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Kael's heart pounded as he scanned the camp. The men were spread out, their weapons close, but they were tired. This was their chance.
"We'll hit them hard and fast," Kael whispered, outlining the plan to Veyron and Harlan. "We get in, take out the guards, and free Kerric. But we can't fight them all head-on. We need to take them by surprise."
Veyron nodded, though Kael could see the doubt in his eyes. Harlan, pale and weakened from his injuries, managed a grim smile. "I'm not much use like this, but I'll take out as many as I can before I go down."
"You're not going down," Kael growled, his voice sharp with urgency. "We all make it out of here."
The moment came quickly. As the enemy camp grew quieter, Kael signaled the group to move. They descended from the trees with deadly silence, Kael at the front, his sword drawn. Veyron was beside him, his eyes locked on the nearest guard.
Kael moved like a shadow, slipping through the camp until he was behind the first guard. With a swift motion, he drove his blade into the man's back, catching him before he could cry out. The guard fell silently to the ground.
Veyron and the others followed suit, taking out two more guards before the alarm was raised. But as Kael moved toward Kerric's position, a shout echoed through the camp.
"Attack!"
Chaos erupted as the remaining guards sprang to life, grabbing their weapons and charging toward Kael's group. The camp was suddenly filled with the clash of steel, the air thick with the sound of battle.
Kael fought with ruthless efficiency, cutting through the enemy with brutal strikes, but the numbers were against them. Veyron fought beside him, his sword flashing in the firelight, but Kael could see the strain on his face. Harlan, too, was struggling, his movements slower, more labored. They were outnumbered, and it was only a matter of time before the fight turned against them.
Kael reached Kerric, slashing through the ropes that bound his hands. Kerric, weak but alive, looked up at him with a mixture of surprise and relief.
"You came for me," Kerric rasped, his voice hoarse.
Kael didn't respond. There was no time. He pulled Kerric to his feet, his eyes scanning the battlefield. Veyron was still fighting, but Harlan... Harlan was on his knees, surrounded by enemies.
Kael's heart sank. Harlan had taken down two men, but a third drove a blade into his side. The warrior crumpled, blood pouring from the wound.
"No!" Kael shouted, charging toward him, but it was too late. The enemy fell back, retreating into the darkness as Harlan collapsed to the ground.
Kael dropped to his knees beside him, blood staining his hands as he pressed against the wound. Harlan coughed, his face pale, but he managed a weak smile.
"I told you... I wasn't making it out," Harlan rasped, his voice barely audible.
Kael's chest tightened, but there was no time for grief. "Hold on, Harlan. We'll get you out of here."
But Harlan shook his head, his eyes already glazing over. "No point... in that. Just... get Kerric out."
Kael clenched his teeth, fury burning inside him, but he knew Harlan was right. There was no saving him now.
As the group disappeared into the darkness, Kael couldn't shake the weight of the loss. Harlan's death had been a blow, one that would haunt him. But there was no turning back now.
The road ahead was darker than ever.