The Paresian stronghold loomed ahead, its high stone walls casting long shadows under the moonlight. Merna and her team crept through the darkness, their breaths steady and their footsteps soundless. They were deep within enemy territory, surrounded by guards who would show no mercy if they were discovered. But Merna's resolve was unwavering—failure wasn't an option.
The intelligence they had gathered so far revealed that the Wand of Creation and the Wand of Death were both being prepared for a combined offensive. This was a dire threat, one that could devastate Chalassy if the enemy succeeded. But Merna and her team couldn't stop this by force; they needed to undermine the enemy's resources and slow their preparations.
Zaya signaled for them to halt as the team approached a secluded section of the stronghold's outer wall. She scanned the area, her sharp eyes picking out the sentries' patrol routes. The guards moved in a predictable pattern but were disciplined and vigilant.
"We've got about a two-minute window to slip past them," Zaya whispered, her voice barely audible. "There's a storage building on the other side of this wall—looks like it's where they're keeping their supplies."
Merna nodded, appreciating Zaya's keen observation. Their mission wasn't just about gathering information; they needed to disrupt the enemy's supply lines and create chaos within the stronghold. If they could destroy or sabotage critical resources, it would buy Chalassy valuable time to prepare for the enemy's assault.
"Let's move," Merna whispered, her voice steady.
The team scaled the wall swiftly and quietly, their movements practiced and precise. Merna led the way, her senses on high alert as she dropped into the courtyard. The air was cool and still; the only sound was the distant murmur of guards talking in low voices.
Zaya landed beside Merna, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of trouble. Tony and Nora followed, each moving with the fluid grace of seasoned operatives. They were all on edge, knowing that one mistake could spell disaster.
Merna motioned for them to follow her as she approached the storage building. The structure was large and heavily guarded, its entrance flanked by armed sentries. Merna's eyes narrowed as she assessed the situation. They couldn't remove the guards without raising the alarm, but there had to be another way in.
"There," Zaya whispered, pointing to a small side window near the back of the building. "We can get in through there."
Merna nodded, signaling for Zaya to go first. Zaya moved with practiced stealth, slipping through the window and disappearing into the shadows. The rest of the team followed, one by one until they were all inside the building.
The dimly lit interior was filled with crates and barrels stacked high against the walls. The scent of oil and gunpowder filled the air, indicating that the enemy was stockpiling supplies for a major offensive. Merna felt a knot of urgency tighten in her chest—they needed to act quickly.
"Split up and place the charges," Merna instructed, her voice barely above a whisper. "We'll set them on a timed fuse. Once they go off, we need to be long gone."
The team nodded in unison, swiftly carrying out Merna's orders. Tony and Nora worked together to place the charges near the barrels of gunpowder while Zaya secured the exits to ensure no one could accidentally wander in. Merna kept a watchful eye on the entrance, her nerves taut as she listened for any sign of approaching guards.
As they worked, Merna couldn't help but think of Anu and the rest of Chalassy's forces waiting for them. She knew the risks of this mission, but she also knew that it was necessary. If they succeeded, they could cripple the enemy's supply lines and delay their assault. If they failed… she didn't want to think about that.
"Charges are set," Tony whispered, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "We've got five minutes."
Merna nodded, her heart racing as she signaled for the team to prepare for their exit. "Let's get out of here," she said quietly.
They moved quickly but cautiously, retracing their steps through the storage building and slipping back out the side window. The night air was cool against Merna's skin, but she barely noticed. Her focus was entirely on the mission and getting her team out safely.
Zaya held up a hand as they reached the courtyard, signaling them to halt. Merna tensed, her instincts screaming that something was wrong. The guards patrolling the courtyard were now gone, replaced by an eerie silence.
"They know we're here," Zaya murmured, her voice filled with dread.
Merna's pulse quickened, and she motioned for the team to follow her. They couldn't afford to wait—they needed to get out of the stronghold before the charges went off. She led them towards the outer wall, her senses on high alert for any sign of movement.
Suddenly, a figure stepped out of the shadows, blocking their path. Merna's heart sank as she recognized the man standing before them—an Osta lieutenant with a cruel smile on his face and a sword in hand.
"Well, well," the lieutenant sneered. "What do we have here? Intruders?"
Merna's mind raced as she calculated their options. They were outnumbered and outmatched and couldn't afford to engage in a prolonged fight—not with the charges set to go off in minutes.
"Go," Merna ordered, her voice firm. "I'll hold them off."
Tony shook his head, his expression filled with defiance. "No way," he argued. "We're not leaving you behind."
Merna's eyes flashed with determination. "That's an order," she replied. "Get out of here, now."
The team hesitated but knew better than to disobey Merna's orders. One by one, they slipped past the lieutenant and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Merna to face the enemy alone.
The lieutenant chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Brave but foolish," he taunted. "You can't win this fight."
Merna didn't respond. She drew her daggers, her muscles coiled with readiness. She knew she couldn't defeat the lieutenant in a recantation, but she didn't need to. All she needed to do was buy her team enough time to escape.
The lieutenant lunged forward, his sword slashing the air with deadly precision. Merna parried the strike, her movements fluid and controlled. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, sharpening her senses and reflexes.
Time seemed to slow as they exchanged blows, each movement calculated and precise. Merna's focus was unyielding, her mind entirely consumed by the battle. She couldn't afford to think about anything else—not the danger, fear, or consequences.
Finally, she saw an opening. With a swift, decisive motion, she delivered a strike that sent the lieutenant reeling. He stumbled back, his expression twisted with pain and fury.
Merna didn't wait to see the outcome. She turned and ran, her footsteps echoing in the empty courtyard as she raced towards the outer wall. The charges were set to go off any moment, and she needed to be clear of the blast radius.
As she reached the wall, Zaya appeared at the top, reaching down to help her. Merna grasped her hand, her heart pounding with relief as she climbed to safety.
"Are you okay?" Zaya asked, her voice filled with concern.
Merna nodded, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "I'm fine," she replied. "Let's go."
The team descended the wall and disappeared into the forest, their movements swift and silent. As they reached a safe distance, explosions shattered the night. The charges had gone off, and the storage building was engulfed.
Merna turned to look at the burning stronghold, her expression a mix of relief and determination. They had succeeded in their mission, but the war was far from over.