Kaelira's camp sat nestled in a secluded valley, surrounded by towering cliffs and thick forests. As Calen and his group entered, their presence drew wary gazes from the camp's inhabitants. These people were survivors, toughened by years of resistance against the empire, and they regarded the newcomers with suspicion.
Kaelira led the group into the center of the camp where the council of five elders waited. They sat in a semi-circle, their faces etched with experience and wariness.
"We will test you first," Kaelira said, addressing the council. "These outsiders claim they can aid us against the empire. But trust must be earned."
The elders exchanged glances before one of them spoke. "What kind of test?"
Kaelira's gaze was firm. "A small imperial unit is coming. Twelve soldiers. They are scouting our position. We must deal with them swiftly and efficiently."
"Twelve soldiers?" Kira scoffed, adjusting her bow. "That's nothing."
One of the elders, a wiry man with a scar across his cheek, spoke up. "Twelve soldiers can still be deadly. They will be well-trained, and the enemy is always more formidable than they appear."
Ronan nodded, his eyes hardening with resolve. "We'll handle it."
By midday, Calen and the group had reached the ridge where they were to face the enemy. The narrow path was covered in rocks and scattered trees, offering cover but also open ground for an ambush. Kira, ever prepared, moved to a high vantage point, her bow at the ready. Finn slipped into the shadows, his presence barely detectable. Seris and Vera set up a defensive line, while Ronan and Calen took up positions, waiting for the enemy to appear.
Minutes later, Finn returned, his face grim. "Twelve soldiers, heavily armed. They're moving in tight formation. But there's something odd—there's a sergeant with them. The leader's not just any soldier."
Ronan's face hardened. "A sergeant. I should've known."
Kira's brow furrowed. "What's so special about a sergeant?"
Ronan's eyes grew serious. "In the empire's military hierarchy, the lowest rank is the foot soldier. They are standard, well-disciplined but not exceptional in combat. Above them are the scouts—highly mobile, quick, and deadly in terrain like this. Then come sergeants. These are the enforcers. They're more than just leaders; they're highly trained warriors, each one capable of crushing resistance on their own. They wield power and skill beyond what foot soldiers and scouts can manage. The sergeant in this group is likely the reason they're here."
"And above them?" Kira asked.
"Above sergeants are the captains, like Nera," Ronan continued. "The one who we battled before. She's a captain, a tactician with incredible combat skill. They lead entire platoons and are difficult to defeat. The highest ranking are the generals—legendary commanders who rarely see the frontlines, preferring to stay behind the scenes, orchestrating the empire's war machine."
Finn's eyes sharpened. "This won't be easy."
Kira nodded. "We'll take them out before they can regroup."
The soldiers soon appeared, marching in perfect formation. At their head was the sergeant, a towering figure clad in reinforced armor, wielding a massive warhammer. As they approached, Kira whispered, "I'll aim for the sergeant first."
Without warning, Kira loosed an arrow, but the sergeant, seemingly aware of the threat, deflected it with a swift motion of his warhammer, sending the arrow skidding harmlessly away. The soldiers immediately broke formation, drawing their weapons.
"Go!" Ronan ordered, charging forward with his sword raised high.
Calen's heart pounded in his chest as he summoned a gust of wind, knocking a group of soldiers off balance and scattering them. "Stay focused," Calen muttered to himself, controlling his magic with care to avoid creating a storm that would blow them off the cliff.
Seris released a blast of fire, forcing the soldiers to retreat. Kira, ever precise, loosed a barrage of arrows, hitting two soldiers before they could react. Meanwhile, Finn darted forward, moving through the chaos, striking quickly and silently, taking out a scout with a swift dagger strike.
But the sergeant wasn't down yet. Roaring with rage, he swung his warhammer at Ronan, who blocked the blow with his sword, the impact vibrating through his arms. "This one's mine!" Ronan shouted, stepping forward with a fierce determination.
Vera and Seris worked together, distracting a pair of soldiers, while Finn struck from the shadows, disarming one of them. Kira, focused on the sergeant, fired again, this time hitting him in the side. He grunted, his armor dented, but his rage only grew. He swung again, aiming for Ronan's head, but Ronan ducked, rolling forward and slashing upward. The sergeant staggered, and in that moment, Ronan drove his sword into the man's chest, bringing him down.
The remaining soldiers were quickly overwhelmed. Seris sent a final wave of fire across the battlefield, forcing them to retreat. Kira's arrows picked off the last two, and the battle was won.
Kaelira arrived soon after, looking over the battlefield. She gave a slow nod of approval. "You have proven yourselves. We will fight together."