Chapter 31: Flames of War
The cold night had swallowed the forest by the time they reached camp, but the flickering light of torches and the low murmur of voices gave the place an eerie warmth. Alex could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating. Everyone knew it—war was coming, and no one was prepared.
As they entered the clearing, Ethan limped beside her, his face pale and drawn, but he hadn't uttered a word of complaint since they left. Blood soaked the bandage hastily wrapped around his arm, a grim reminder of the skirmish that nearly tore their group apart earlier. But he refused to rest, refused to let her shoulder the burden alone. His silence had weight, each step he took beside her a testament to the unspoken bond that had reformed between them.
Even broken chains can be reforged in fire, she thought, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
The others looked up as they arrived, their faces a mix of exhaustion and grim determination. Mason was already there, tending to a wounded soldier near the fire, while the others gathered around, waiting for her orders.
"Alex," Mason called, standing up. His eyes flickered between her and Ethan, narrowing slightly at the sight of Ethan's injury. "We need to talk."
She nodded, walking towards him, aware of the eyes on her, waiting for her next move. They were looking to her for leadership. Even after everything—their mistrust, their doubts—they still turned to her when the stakes were high.
And now? They were higher than ever.
"We're outnumbered, aren't we?" Alex asked, her voice low enough for only Mason to hear. She didn't need to ask for details. The look on his face said it all.
Mason sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's worse than we thought. Gabriel's forces are closing in from the south, and we've lost two more scouts in the east. He's ready for war, Alex. He's baiting us."
"Then we take the bait." Her tone was sharper than she intended, but it had to be. There was no room for fear, no time for hesitation. "We hit him hard. Tonight."
Ethan, who had stayed behind, leaning against a tree to catch his breath, spoke up. "He'll expect that. He's been expecting every move we've made so far." His voice was steady, but there was an edge to it—pain, maybe, or just exhaustion. "Gabriel doesn't play fair. You know that."
Alex's jaw tightened. She did know. Every step, every tactical decision they had made in the past few weeks, Gabriel had countered. He was always one step ahead, like a viper waiting to strike.
But this wasn't just about strategy anymore. This was personal.
"We can't sit back and let him pick us off one by one," she said, forcing the steel into her voice, into her stance. "We fight tonight, or we die tomorrow."
Mason hesitated, but the fire in her eyes left no room for argument. He nodded. "I'll start gathering the troops. We'll be ready by sunset."
Alex turned to Ethan, her gaze softening just a fraction. "You need to rest."
He shook his head, the stubbornness in him as strong as ever. "I'm fine."
"You're not." She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You can't protect me if you're half dead on the battlefield."
Something flickered in his eyes—something that sent a shiver down her spine. It wasn't anger. It wasn't frustration. It was something raw, something that dug deeper than the wounds on his body. "I'll protect you," he said quietly, almost too softly. "Even if it kills me."
Her heart twisted at the words, but she couldn't afford to let them settle. Not now. Not when the flames of war were licking at their heels. "You better not die on me, Ethan," she said, her voice softer than she intended. "I need you."
For a moment, he didn't respond, just stared at her, as if trying to read the meaning behind her words. Then, with a faint smirk, he said, "Not going anywhere, Alex."
Hours Later, Just Before the Battle
The sky had darkened into a deep, bruised purple by the time the forces gathered. Torches flickered in the wind, casting dancing shadows across the faces of her soldiers—faces that ranged from hard and resolute to pale with fear. Alex stood before them, the weight of command heavy on her shoulders. She was their leader now. If they fell, it would be on her.
Ethan stood by her side, his face impassive, though she could see the strain behind his eyes. He was still hurt, still weakened, but he had refused to stand down, refused to let the injury take him out of the fight.
"You know the plan," she said, raising her voice so that it carried across the camp. "Gabriel's forces will be waiting for us in the valley. He thinks he has the upper hand. He's wrong."
The soldiers murmured among themselves, their eyes flickering with uncertainty. Alex took a breath, steadying herself. "We hit them hard and fast. No hesitation. We overwhelm them, we break their lines, and we take them down."
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, there was silence. Then one of the soldiers raised his fist, a battle cry on his lips. It was followed by another, and another, until the entire camp was filled with the sound of defiance. The sound of war.
Alex turned to Ethan, her heart racing in her chest. "You ready for this?"
He smirked, his eyes flashing with that familiar fire. "You think I'd let you go into battle without me?"
Despite everything, despite the looming threat, she found herself smiling. "I didn't think you'd have a choice."
"I don't." His voice was softer now, meant only for her. "I'm choosing this."
The valley was a nightmare of smoke and fire, the clash of steel against steel filling the air as Gabriel's forces met theirs head-on. Alex's group fought with everything they had, pushing through the lines of enemy soldiers with a brutal efficiency that surprised even her.
Gabriel had underestimated them.
But still, the enemy's numbers were overwhelming. Wave after wave of soldiers came at them, relentless and unforgiving. Alex's sword was slick with blood, her arms aching from the constant strain of fighting, but she didn't falter. She couldn't afford to.
Through the chaos, she could see Ethan fighting, his movements a blur of speed and precision. Despite his injury, he was holding his own, cutting through the enemy with a cold, deadly grace that reminded her of why he had survived this long.
But it wasn't enough.
Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the battlefield, the ground shaking beneath their feet as a plume of fire and smoke erupted in the distance. Alex's heart leaped into her throat. Gabriel. He was making his move.
"Alex!" Ethan's voice cut through the chaos, and she turned just in time to see him limping toward her, blood dripping from a fresh wound on his leg. His eyes were wild with urgency.
"He's here," Ethan panted, his voice strained with pain. "Gabriel's here."
Her blood ran cold. This was it. The final play.
"Where?"
"North ridge." Ethan's gaze was fierce, despite the pain etched across his face. "He's waiting for you."
Alex's jaw clenched. Of course he was. Gabriel wouldn't let anyone else take her down. This was personal for him, too.
"I'll go," she said, her voice hard with resolve. "But you're staying here. You can barely stand."
Ethan shook his head, his expression defiant. "I'm not letting you face him alone."
"Don't be stupid, Ethan. You're hurt."
"I don't care!" He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto hers. "I'm not losing you, Alex. Not again."
The words hit her like a punch to the gut, the raw emotion behind them cutting through the haze of battle. But there was no time for this. No time for feelings. They were at war.
"Fine," she snapped, turning on her heel. "But if you die, I'll kill you myself."
The ridge was silent, too silent, as they approached. The fires of battle still raged in the valley below, but up here, there was nothing but the wind and the distant sound of screams. And Gabriel, standing at the edge, waiting for them.
He turned as they approached, a slow, mocking smile spreading across his face. "Alex. Ethan. How poetic."
Alex drew her sword, her heart pounding in her chest. "This ends tonight, Gabriel."
"Oh, I'm counting on it."