The Emerald Veil, normally alive with the rustling of leaves and the faint trickle of distant streams, had fallen into an unnatural silence. The disciples moved through the mist-shrouded paths in tight groups, their gazes darting nervously to every shadow. The betrayal by Varik had left them shaken, and the knowledge that Malric's forces could strike at any moment weighed heavily on their spirits.
Ashen stood in the central hall, the Pyrestone Core glowing faintly on its pedestal. Elyndra, Joran, and Lirena stood with him, their expressions grim as they reviewed the latest reports from the scouts.
"We caught him sneaking into the Veil," Ashen said, his voice low but firm. "But Varik isn't working alone. Malric's reach extends further than we thought."
"He's a snake," Joran muttered, slamming his fist onto the table. "We should've dealt with him when we had the chance."
"And what would that have solved?" Lirena countered, her tone sharp. "Killing Varik wouldn't stop Malric's spies from finding us. If anything, it would've sent a message that we're desperate."
Elyndra raised a hand, cutting off the brewing argument. "Enough. What's done is done. We need to focus on what's next."
Ashen nodded. "Agreed. Malric knows where we are, and he's not going to wait long to strike again. We need to hit him first."
The Strategy
Over the next few hours, the group devised a plan. Ashen, Elyndra, and a small team would launch a strike against one of Malric's supply depots, a key location that kept his forces fed and armed. Meanwhile, Joran and Lirena would remain in the Veil to oversee its defenses and root out any remaining spies.
"This isn't just about cutting off his supplies," Ashen explained as he traced the depot's location on a map. "It's about sending a message—that we're not just hiding. We're fighting back."
Elyndra smirked, her green eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I like it. Hit them where it hurts."
"Just make sure you come back in one piece," Joran said, his tone gruff but tinged with concern.
Ashen grinned faintly. "I'll do my best."
The Raid
Night had fallen by the time Ashen and his team reached the outskirts of the supply depot. Hidden within a dense grove of trees, the depot was a sprawling camp filled with crates of weapons, food, and other supplies. Dozens of guards patrolled the area, their torches casting flickering light across the camp.
Elyndra crouched beside Ashen, her blade gleaming faintly in the moonlight. "We're outnumbered," she whispered. "Even with the element of surprise, this won't be easy."
"It doesn't have to be," Ashen replied, his voice calm. "We're not here to fight them all—we're here to destroy their supplies."
He glanced at the Pyrestone Core, secured in a pouch at his side. Its warmth pulsed faintly, steady and reassuring.
"Stick to the plan," Ashen said, his gaze sweeping over the group. "We move quickly and quietly. No unnecessary risks."
The team nodded, and with that, they began their approach.
Silent Flames
The first part of the raid went smoothly. Ashen and Elyndra took out the outer guards with swift, silent strikes, their blades gleaming in the faint light. The team moved through the camp like shadows, planting explosives on key supply caches and sabotaging the weapons stored in the armory.
But as they prepared to ignite the explosives, a sharp voice rang out.
"Stop them!"
The camp erupted into chaos as Malric's disciples swarmed from their tents, their weapons drawn. Ashen's team scattered, engaging the enemy in fierce, close-quarters combat.
Ashen raised Emberfang, the blade blazing to life as he deflected a strike and countered with a fiery arc. The Forge's warmth surged through him, guiding his movements and amplifying his strength.
Elyndra fought beside him, her blade flashing like silver lightning as she cut through their attackers. "So much for quiet!" she called out, her tone laced with dry humor.
"Just focus on the mission!" Ashen replied, his voice steady despite the chaos.
Amid the battle, Ashen spotted a figure near one of the explosive charges—a disciple attempting to disarm it. Without hesitation, he sprinted forward, Emberfang blazing as he drove the disciple back.
The Pyrestone's energy pulsed faintly, its warmth filling him with a sense of clarity. With a single strike, he activated the charge, setting the cache ablaze.
Escape Through the Flames
The camp was soon engulfed in fire and smoke, the explosions sending shockwaves through the grove. The once-organized depot descended into chaos as guards scrambled to extinguish the flames and secure what remained of their supplies.
Ashen and his team regrouped at the edge of the camp, their breaths ragged but their resolve unshaken.
"That's one way to make a statement," Elyndra said, her smirk visible even through the soot on her face.
Ashen nodded, his gaze fixed on the burning depot. "Let's get out of here before reinforcements arrive."
The team retreated into the forest, their movements swift and silent. The glow of the burning camp faded behind them, but the fire in Ashen's chest burned brighter than ever.
Unseen Consequences
By the time they returned to the Emerald Veil, dawn was breaking over the mountains. The enclave's disciples greeted them with cheers, their spirits lifted by news of the successful raid.
Elder Kyra met them in the central hall, her expression both relieved and cautious. "You've dealt Malric a significant blow," she said. "But this will only make him more determined to crush us."
"I know," Ashen replied. "But we can't let fear stop us. We have to keep pushing."
Kyra studied him for a moment before nodding. "You're right. But be careful, Ashen. Fire is a powerful weapon, but it can also spiral out of control."
The Forge's Warning
That night, as Ashen sat alone in the workshop, the Forge's warmth stirred within him. Its voice was faint but insistent, carrying a sense of urgency.
"The fire spreads, but so does the shadow. Beware the cost of ambition."
Ashen frowned, his grip tightening on Emberfang. "What cost? What are you trying to tell me?"
The Forge's warmth flared briefly, then receded, leaving him with only silence.
As he gazed at the Pyrestone Core, its glow steady and unyielding, Ashen felt a flicker of doubt. He had lit the flames of rebellion, but the Forge's cryptic warnings left him questioning what price he would ultimately pay.
"The fire doesn't stop," he murmured, his voice filled with determination. "And neither will I."