Loka, Magda, and Kanu led the warriors of the three tribes, moving silently through the southeastern border of Airtulan. This border, surrounded by vast forests and rugged mountains, was the only passageway leading to the northern border of Strongson. Takka and Melador's forces had already gathered here, waiting for Loka and his group to join them.
By the time Loka and his group arrived, Takka and Melador's forces had already prepared in the valley. Melador shared the frontline intelligence with Takka and Loka, analyzing the current situation.
The glow of firelight flickered dimly at the edge of the valley. Loka, Melador, Takka, Kanu, and Magda sat together around a rough map. Melador's voice was low but commanding as he pointed to the map, "From here, to here," he traced his finger along a marked path, "The most likely route for Leon's reinforcements is through this dense forest. Our forces must complete the ambush before dawn."
Takka nodded. "My Green Shadow tribe will take the high ground, setting up archers. Once the enemy enters the forest, they won't be able to hide. Meanwhile, Melador's Great Deer tribe will block the valley's mouth, cutting off their escape route."
Loka glanced at the other end of the map and gave a cold smile. "And we will tear open their eastern camp's defenses while they are distracted. The Savage Bull tribe is ready with firebombs, and Kanu's Raptors will stir up a storm first."
"But be careful," Magda added calmly, "The terrain around the eastern camp is not simple. They may have set up a perimeter. If we're discovered, the plan could fall apart."
Loka nodded thoughtfully, then made a decision. "We'll split our forces. Takka and Melador will handle the ambush. They'll cause confusion on the way back and draw the enemy's attention. As for us, Magda, Kanu, and I will directly attack the eastern camp."
"We must ensure the operation's secrecy," Loka continued, "Once we start the attack, we'll immediately divert the enemy's attention, not giving them a chance to react. We also need to secure our retreat to avoid detection by the reinforcements coming from Leon."
Melador spoke seriously. "We will make sure it's silent. The enemy won't hear a thing."
"Then let's begin," Loka commanded. "Get ready to move immediately. We'll begin before nightfall."
With the plan confirmed, Loka, Kanu, and Magda led their respective forces, quietly heading toward the eastern camp of Strongson, while Takka and Melador began setting the ambush in the valley and forest, preparing to strike a fatal blow when Leon's reinforcements began to withdraw.
The moonlight filtered through gaps in the forest, casting faint beams of light. Melador stood quietly by a giant tree, while warriors from his tribe placed boulders in the valley, ready for the enemy's arrival. On the other side, Takka had already led the Green Shadow tribe's archers to the treetops. The shadows in the trees were ghostly silent, each archer adjusting their position, arrows aimed at the entrance of the forest. Takka surveyed the depths of the forest and whispered, "Once the enemy appears, wait for the signal to fire. Don't reveal your positions."
Meanwhile, at the eastern border, Loka's forces had quietly assembled. Warriors holding firebombs stood with cold expressions, ready to launch a deadly attack on the rear camp of Strongson. Loka gripped his battle axe tightly and ordered in a low voice, "Target locked. Fire attack—destroy their command system." Kanu's tribe had gathered quietly in the woods, with Raptors soaring in the sky. The piercing shrieks of the birds made the night air feel eerily sharp. The tribe's warriors skillfully controlled the birds, sending them toward the enemy camp to cause maximum disruption and confusion. Meanwhile, Magda's tribe provided cover, with shielded warriors close behind, ready to join the battle and form a solid support line when the assault began.
At the same time, the eastern camp was cloaked in darkness. The guards were weary, their patrols sluggish and disorganized. From a hill in the distance, Loka stood holding a torch, his gaze fixed on the enemy camp.
"The operation begins," he said, tossing the torch into the air. The warriors of the Flame Tribe quietly lit the firebombs. Moments later, a series of muffled explosions rang out, flames consuming one corner of the camp's tents.
The sky filled with sharp shrieks as Kanu's Raptors dove down, their claws tearing through the defenses of the patrols. Magda's warriors charged forward, their massive shields glinting with the metallic shine, providing cover for the Flame Tribe as they moved in.
The enemy camp was thrown into chaos as soldiers scrambled to form ranks. But by now, the assault was unstoppable. Loka's voice roared, "Flame Tribe, charge!"
With a single command, Loka's warriors surged forward, firebombs arcing through the air before exploding. The searing light illuminated the night sky, and the deafening blasts shattered the silence. The soldiers of Strongson, unprepared for the sudden explosion, were stunned and disoriented, fleeing in all directions. Meanwhile, Kanu's Raptors attacked the enemy command and communication units, their shrill cries plunging the soldiers into panic, severing their command structure. Magda's shield-bearers followed closely, blocking the enemy's counterattacks and providing vital cover for the advancing warriors.
As the battle grew fiercer, the soldiers of Strongson finally realized they were in the midst of a well-planned raid. Chaos spread through the camp, with many soldiers fleeing in panic. Just as the enemy's defense line neared collapse, Melador and Takka's forces didn't stop. They continued their mission, setting ambushes along the border of Eldenia, ready for the next wave of Strongson reinforcements.
In the end, Loka, Kanu, and Magda's forces succeeded in destroying the eastern camp. The army of Strongson was thrown into disarray. The enemy's defense collapsed, and hundreds of soldiers were defeated, with some scattering in a panicked retreat. The warriors of Airtulan displayed extraordinary bravery and combat prowess in this raid, while Melador and Takka's forces prepared for the battles to come.