The Ashen Rebellion

17 | A broken promise

THE SUN HAD BARELY risen when the team gathered, their faces marked by determination and the weight of the task ahead. Kael stood at the front, his bandana covering the lower half of his face and his muscular arms visible beneath his rolled-up sleeves. His voice was firm as he reiterated the plan.

"We're infiltrating the fortress through the secret tunnel discovered in the ancient texts," Kael explained. "It's going to be filled with traps, so stay alert and follow my lead."

With final checks on their gear, the team set out, moving swiftly and silently through the forest. The entrance to the secret tunnel was concealed beneath a dense thicket, revealed only by the faint markings from the ancient texts. Kael led the way, his sharp eyes scanning for traps as they descended into the darkness.

The tunnel was narrow and damp, the air thick with the smell of earth and decay. Each step echoed ominously, and the further they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. Nyssa stayed close to Kael, her eyes darting around, looking for any signs of danger. Suddenly, a faint click sounded beneath her foot. She froze.

"Trap!" Kael hissed, yanking her back just as a set of spikes shot out from the wall, narrowly missing her. "Stay close and watch your step."

The tension was palpable as they navigated the series of traps—hidden pressure plates, swinging blades, and pits disguised by loose stones. Each obstacle required precise movements and quick thinking. The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever, but finally, they emerged into a larger chamber, dimly lit by flickering torches.

At the center of the chamber was a hidden laboratory, its walls lined with cages and tables covered in arcane instruments. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and the acrid stench of burnt flesh. Prisoners lay strapped to tables, their bodies marked by cruel experiments. The sight was enough to turn anyone's stomach.

Lyra's voice trembled with rage. "We have to stop this."

Nyssa nodded, her heart aching. "This is what we're fighting against. We can't let this continue."

Kael's expression was grim as he surveyed the room. "We need to move. Destroy what we can and free the prisoners. But be quick about it."

As they set to work, dismantling equipment and freeing prisoners, the room suddenly filled with the sound of heavy footsteps. The doors burst open, and a contingent of the Firelord's elite guards stormed in, weapons drawn.

"Ambush!" Kael shouted, drawing his sword.

The fight was brutal and chaotic. Kael moved with deadly precision, his sword a blur as he cut through the guards. Tarry's arrows found their marks with unerring accuracy, while Arjun's twin daggers flashed in the dim light. Nyssa fought fiercely, her enchanted weapon glowing with a fierce light as she parried blows and struck back.

At one point, Arjun found himself cornered, a guard's sword poised to decapitate him. Nyssa lunged, her blade intercepting the strike and knocking the sword aside. She delivered a swift kick to the guard's knee, dropping him, and then helped Arjun to his feet. "Stay close," She panted, her eyes scanning for more threats.

The battle raged on, each member of the team sustaining injuries but refusing to back down. Blood stained the floor, and the sound of clashing weapons echoed through the chamber. Eventually, they managed to fend off the guards, but it was clear their mission had been compromised.

Kael barked orders, rallying the team. "We need to adapt. Split up and find another way to the main chamber."

As they regrouped, Nyssa's eyes caught a glimpse of something familiar—a scrap of cloth torn from Jaxon's tunic, the same one he had worn when he was captured. Her heart pounded in her chest.