### **Chapter 6: War Strategies**
The sun had barely risen over the horizon when Riven arrived at the war room, the steady hum of activity already filling the camp. Soldiers hurried past, each carrying a purpose, while the smell of fresh bread and stew hinted at the beginnings of another tense day.
The command tent, where the leaders had gathered, was a flurry of maps, scrolls, and hastily drawn plans. Riven paused at the entrance, his eyes scanning the room. His heart pounded in his chest. There was no time for hesitation now. The enemy was drawing closer, their siege machinery on the move. Soon, they would be at the gates.
Riven's mind shifted to the larger picture, the delicate balance of tactics and strategy. With each step inside, the weight of leadership settled onto his shoulders.
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### **A Gravitational Pull**
Lia, standing near the table, was the first to notice him. Her silver eyes met his with a look that carried both resolve and worry. She gestured to the map spread out before them. "Good, you're here. We need to discuss our next moves before it's too late."
Riven nodded, walking over to join her. The map showed the surrounding region, dotted with various positions marked by colored pins. Some were red, signifying enemy forces, while others were green—safe zones under their control. The lines of defense were shaky at best, and the path forward was increasingly narrow.
"Have you heard from the scouts?" Riven asked, his eyes shifting between the different points on the map.
"Not since yesterday," Lia replied, her brow furrowing. "But we've received reports confirming the enemy's advance. The siege is closer than we thought."
A sharp voice broke into their discussion. "We can't just sit here and wait for them to reach the gates," Kieran said, stepping into the tent with an air of determination. His usual carefree demeanor was replaced by the cold edge of someone who had seen the severity of the situation. "We need to take action—take the fight to them."
"Explain," Riven said, raising an eyebrow. Kieran wasn't known for his long-term plans. His approach was usually more about improvisation. But tonight, something in his tone made Riven pay closer attention.
Kieran unfolded a piece of parchment, revealing a detailed sketch of the surrounding terrain. He pointed to a nearby valley, just a few miles from their camp. "This is where they'll try to breach us," he said, tapping the map. "They'll send their siege forces here, to funnel us into a narrow stretch of land, and from there, it's game over."
Lia glanced at the map, then at Riven. "What do you suggest?"
Kieran's eyes gleamed with a certain dangerous light. "We don't let them dictate the terms. We hit them first, at the valley, before they have a chance to bring their full force to bear."
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### **A Risky Gamble**
The room fell into silence as everyone processed Kieran's proposal. It was bold—perhaps too bold—but there was a fire in his words that made the plan seem almost feasible. He wasn't wrong; if they let the enemy reach their position, they'd be trapped. But this, this was a gamble. And Riven knew that when Kieran made a suggestion like this, there was always a risk of it going wrong.
"I know it's dangerous," Kieran said, sensing the doubt in the room. "But we have to do something. We can't let them control the pace of the battle."
Riven's eyes narrowed as he looked at Kieran, then to the other leaders in the room. Lia stood by silently, her expression unreadable, while the other commanders whispered amongst themselves. The weight of the decision was palpable in the air.
"You want us to send a small force to ambush the siege units in the valley," Riven said, trying to clarify. "We would be walking into their stronghold with no guarantee of reinforcements."
"Yes," Kieran answered firmly. "But we would have the advantage of surprise. If we strike fast and hard, we can take out their siege weapons and break their momentum."
Riven considered it for a long moment. "And if we fail?"
Kieran didn't flinch. "Then we make them regret underestimating us."
Lia finally spoke, her voice steady but cautious. "It's not just the siege weapons we need to worry about. There are other forces on the move—small detachments scattered across the region. They could flank us."
"You're right," Kieran said, his face darkening. "But if we strike first, we don't give them the chance."
Riven looked over at the map again, his mind racing. The strategy made sense on some level, but it was still a monumental risk. They needed to hit hard, without hesitation. He could already hear the clash of steel, the roar of battle in his mind.
"If we're going to do this," Riven said, his voice calm but firm, "we need to be prepared. Kieran, you'll lead the ambush, but we'll need a solid backup plan in case things go south. Lia, you'll coordinate the main forces in case we need reinforcements."
Kieran grinned, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Now that's more like it."
Lia, though less enthusiastic, nodded. "I'll have the second wave ready, just in case."
The leaders agreed to the plan, but Riven couldn't shake the feeling that the stakes were higher than they realized. The weight of this decision pressed on him as he stepped away from the table. There was no turning back now.
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### **The Calm Before the Storm**
Later that night, Riven stood outside the command tent, gazing out at the darkened landscape. His hand rested on Nyx's back as she sat beside him, her fiery eyes gleaming in the night. Astra and Zephyr were nearby, their presence comforting, their bond with him growing stronger each day.
Kieran approached, his expression a mix of determination and something else—a hint of fear, perhaps. Despite his usually carefree attitude, Riven knew Kieran had doubts. They all did.
"This could go horribly wrong, Riven," Kieran said, looking out at the horizon. "But we can't let fear stop us. If we don't act now, we'll lose everything."
Riven turned to face him, his gaze steady. "If we fail, we fail together. That's what matters."
Kieran smiled, a rare moment of seriousness crossing his face. "Guess that's all we can hope for."
The two of them stood in silence for a while, the sounds of the camp settling around them. In the distance, Riven could almost feel the enemy's presence, their relentless advance inching closer. The weight of the battle, of what they were about to face, hung in the air like a thunderstorm waiting to break.
Riven had always known this day would come—the day where everything would be tested, where their lives and the future of the city would hinge on a single decision.
"We move at dawn," Riven finally said. "Get some rest while you can."
As Kieran walked away to prepare, Riven couldn't help but think of the risk they were taking. But in this war, every choice felt like a gamble. And Riven was done sitting on the sidelines.
Tomorrow, they would strike. And everything would change.
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**End of Chapter 6**