Aiden's Fortress (Dawn)
The aftermath of the battle still lingers in the air. The villagers, despite their victory against the slave traders, seem restless. Aiden stands alone on a ridge, his eyes scanning the horizon, lost in thought. His body aches from the fight, but his face shows none of it—just the quiet calm that has settled into his demeanour since his return.
Kellan walks up the ridge, his movements heavy with the weight of his years, though his presence still feels solid and dependable.
Kellan: "The villagers… they're starting to talk. They're saying you gave 'em hope, lad. That you didn't give up on 'em."
His voice is sincere, but Aiden only nods, saying nothing at first.
Aiden: "Hope is a tricky thing, Kellan. Fleeting. One good fight doesn't secure it."
He speaks softly, as if reflecting more than stating a fact.
Kellan: (gruffly) "Aye, but they're still here. And they're ready to fight again if it comes to that."
Aiden: (smiling faintly) "We'll see."
He gives a noncommittal response, leaving Kellan to wonder if Aiden believes in that readiness or not.
As they talk, Lina comes rushing toward them, her expression troubled.
Lina: "Aiden, there's someone at the gates. He says he has news… for you."
Aiden: "For me?"
His brow furrows briefly, but he covers it with a casual shrug.
Aiden: "Let's hear him out."
He motions for Kellan and Lina to follow.
At the Fortress Gate
The gates creak open as Aiden approaches, his hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword, though he doesn't look particularly concerned. The man waiting at the entrance is tall, cloaked in rough traveller's garb, and his face is mostly hidden beneath a hood. There's an air of confidence about him, as if he's used to being in control of situations.
Stranger: "Aiden, the Base Keeper, I presume?"
Aiden: "Depends on who's asking."
Aiden's voice is calm, almost bored, but his eyes are watching the man carefully, reading every movement, every twitch.
The stranger pulls back his hood, revealing a sharp, angular face with eyes that glitter like steel.
Stranger: "I come with a message from the west. One that concerns your future….. And the future of your precious fortress."
Aiden: (slightly amused) "My future? Go on."
His tone is light, but beneath it, there's a cold edge. It's hard to tell if Aiden takes the man seriously or if he's just playing along.
Stranger: "The Slave Trader Chief has taken an interest in you. Your little victory last night hasn't gone unnoticed."
A brief flicker of something crosses Aiden's face, gone before anyone can truly identify it—surprise, perhaps, or maybe satisfaction.
Aiden: "He should be more concerned with keeping his dogs in line."
There's a quiet menace in his words, but they're delivered with a smile, keeping everyone guessing as to whether he's bluffing or speaking from confidence.
Stranger: (grinning) "Oh, he's concerned, alright. But not in the way you think. He doesn't leave loose ends."
The man leans in slightly. "And you, Base Keeper, are becoming a very dangerous loose end."
Aiden's expression doesn't change, but there's a flicker in his eyes, something calculated and distant.
Aiden: "Then let him come and try," he said, a cold smile curling at the edges of his lips. "But the only thing he'll leave with is his headless body."
The words hang in the air for a moment, and the stranger steps back, seeming satisfied with the interaction.
Stranger: "We'll see how long your bravado holds up. Others are watching too."
With that, the stranger turns and disappears into the mist, leaving Kellan and Lina exchanging worried glances. But Aiden just watches him go, his face unreadable.
Lina: "Aiden… what if he's telling the truth? What if they're coming for us?"
Aiden: (with a reassuring smile) "Don't worry, Lina. We'll be ready."
He says it calmly, his voice filled with quiet assurance, though there's a hidden weight beneath his words. It's as if he's already preparing for the next step, but no one knows exactly what he's thinking.
The Slave Trader's Stronghold
A dark, oppressive room lit only by the flicker of torchlight. The Slave Trader Chief sits on a lavish throne made of bone and metal, his cold eyes watching his kneeling subordinates. Around him, several half-naked women stand silently, their faces void of hope.
One of the slavers speaks, his voice trembling.
Slaver: "We… we couldn't stop him, Chief. The Base Keeper… he fought back. The villagers too."
The Chief's expression remains unreadable, but the air grows colder with every word the slaver utters. Slowly, the Chief stands, walking toward the cowering man.
Chief: "And you think that excuses your failure?"
The slaver shakes his head, his voice cracking.
Slaver: "No, my lord. We... we failed you. But we can make it right! We can go back—"
The slaver doesn't even have time to beg before the Chief's knife is in his throat. The other slavers shift uncomfortably but remain silent.
He wipes the blade clean and turns his gaze to the darkened corner of the room, where a mysterious figure stands, cloaked in shadow.
Chief: "Send word to our allies. It's time we show this 'Base Keeper' the price of defiance."
There's no anger in his voice, only a chilling calm. It's as if this is nothing more than another routine to him.
Chief (internal monologue): Aiden… interesting. Let's see how much you can handle before you break.
Scene 4: Aiden's War Room
Back at the fortress, Aiden, Kellan, and Garret gather around a table covered with maps and notes. The villagers are still reeling from the fight, but Aiden's focus is elsewhere.
Garret: "If that man was telling the truth, we're going to need more than just pitchforks and stones to fend off another attack."
Aiden: "We'll need traps, chokepoints, and better weapons. Kellan, can you craft something with what we have?"
He speaks as if he's already planned it out in his head, but there's no sign of urgency. His calmness almost unsettles the others.
Kellan: "It won't be easy, I can work with what we have. I can give you something that'll do the job. Might not be pretty, though."
Aiden leans back, staring at the map.
Aiden: "Do what you can. If we're smart about it, we won't need much."
There's a moment of silence, as if everyone is waiting for Aiden to reveal more of what he's thinking. But he doesn't. Instead, he steps away from the table, lost in thought.
Aiden (softly): "We'll survive this. We've done it before."
He says it casually, but Garret and Kellan exchange a look, unsure if they should be reassured or worried.
Garret: "You seem confident."
Aiden: (with a faint smile) "It's not confidence. Just preparation."
He doesn't elaborate, leaving them to wonder just how much he's already planned for.
Nightfall - Aiden's Quarters
Aiden sits on the edge of his bed, staring at the Base Keeper's Relic. His mind swirls with self-doubt. He places his hand on the relic, hoping for some inspiration or power boost. But nothing happens — the relic remains dormant.
He sighs, knowing he needs more resources to activate its true potential. He starts pacing the room, reviewing the blueprints of the fortress upgrades he can barely afford.
Aiden: "This base… it's still so fragile. We're vulnerable from every side."
The lingering effects of the status abnormalities left by the Shadow General make his body ache, slowing his healing and weakening his stamina. It feels like everything is slipping out of his control.
Suddenly, there's a soft knock on the door.
Lina: (quietly) "Aiden… may I come in?"
He gestures for her to enter, and she walks over, sitting beside him.
Lina: "I heard what happened at the meeting. They don't understand what you're trying to do. They're scared."
Aiden drops the blueprint onto the floor and leans back, staring at the ceiling.
Aiden: "I don't blame them. I can barely stand some days with these status abnormalities. How am I supposed to protect them?"
Lina places her hand on his shoulder, her grip firm.
Lina: "You've already done more than anyone else would. You gave them hope, even if they don't see it yet."
Aiden closes his eyes, her words soothing his spiraling thoughts. But deep down, he knows that if he doesn't act soon, everything he's built will fall apart.
Aiden: "Hope doesn't fix walls or keep enemies out. I need to be stronger. I need to—"
Suddenly, there's a loud crash outside the window. Aiden bolts up, his instincts kicking in despite the lingering pain….
End of Episode 7