The forest erupted into chaos as the clearing came alive with the sound of steel being drawn. Damien's steel-gray eyes locked onto Armand's smirking face, the flickering firelight reflecting in his cold gaze. Around them, the rebels scrambled to arm themselves, shouting orders and forming a loose ring of hostility around the trio.
Amara's sharp blue eyes darted to Damien, her hand already resting on the hilt of her dagger. "Well, this escalated quickly."
"You think?" Damien replied, his voice low but steady.
Carys, standing behind them, had her crossbow raised, her green eyes scanning the crowd. "What's the play, Damien? This doesn't look like a fair fight."
"We don't need fair," Damien said, his voice resolute. "We just need to get to him." He gestured toward Armand.
