Kael crouched low behind a fallen tree, his companions flanking him on either side. The outpost loomed ahead, an amalgamation of sleek metallic walls and glowing runes. Its architecture clashed violently with the natural flow of the wilds around it, an eyesore of human ambition amidst nature's raw, untamed power.
Adrin peered through the scope of his bow, his voice a soft murmur. "I count four sentries on the walls, and two patrols circling the perimeter. They're disciplined but predictable."
Rhea scanned the surroundings, her hands gripping the hilt of her blade. "The walls are fortified, but the defenses are built for larger assaults, not small teams. If we're careful, we can exploit that."
Kael remained silent, studying the energy fields surrounding the outpost. The faint crackling hum indicated advanced technology, likely scavenged from the remnants of Earth's former glory. But the wilds whispered to him, their ancient wisdom offering insights into the structure's weaknesses.
"We'll need to disable that energy barrier," he said finally, his voice low but firm. "Without it, the wilds can aid us."
Adrin raised an eyebrow. "You mean we can unleash some of those lovely beasts on them? That's a gamble."
Kael met his gaze, unflinching. "The wilds want this place gone as much as we do. They'll respond if we give them the chance."
Rhea nodded. "Then it's settled. Adrin, you take out the sentries quietly. I'll handle the patrols. Kael, find a way to disrupt the barrier."
Adrin grinned. "Silent takedowns? My specialty."
Moments Later
Adrin moved like a shadow, his arrows finding their marks with precise, deadly efficiency. The sentries fell silently, their bodies crumpling against the cold metal walls. Meanwhile, Rhea dispatched the patrols with brutal elegance, her blade flashing in the dim light.
Kael reached the base of the outpost, his hand pressed against the ground. The fragment's energy flowed through him, connecting him to the wilds. He felt the pulse of the barrier's energy field, tracing its source to a power node buried beneath the structure.
A low growl echoed from the forest behind him, and Kael glanced back to see a pair of massive beasts emerging from the shadows. Their eyes glowed with a primal light, and they nodded toward him, as if acknowledging his authority.
"Soon," Kael murmured. "Hold until the barrier drops."
He slipped into the outpost's understructure, moving with practiced stealth. The hum of machinery grew louder, and he found the power node encased in a crystalline shell. Energy rippled across its surface, a testament to the elites' technological ingenuity.
Kael drove his spear into the node, the fragment's power surging through the weapon. The wilds answered his call, their energy overwhelming the node's defenses. The crystal shattered, and the barrier above flickered before collapsing entirely.
The Wilds Strike
The moment the barrier fell, the wilds roared to life. The beasts that had been lurking at the edge of the forest surged forward, their fury unleashed. They tore through the outpost's defenses, their primal strength overwhelming the elites' soldiers.
Kael emerged from the understructure just as the chaos erupted. He joined Rhea and Adrin, the three of them cutting through the remaining forces with ruthless efficiency. The wilds fought beside them, a living army bound to Kael's will.
As the last soldier fell, Kael stood amidst the wreckage, his chest heaving. The outpost was in ruins, its once-imposing structure reduced to rubble. The wilds began to retreat, their work done, leaving the three companions to survey the aftermath.
Rhea wiped her blade clean, her gaze hard. "This was a victory, but it's just the beginning. The elites will know we're coming now."
Adrin slung his bow over his shoulder, his grin weary but triumphant. "Let them. We've got the wilds on our side."
Kael said nothing, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over. The next fragment awaited, its power a beacon calling him forward. The path ahead was uncertain, but Kael knew one thing for sure: the wilds had chosen him, and he would not let them down.
Volume 1 End