A World Between Realms

Night Ventures

As darkness enveloped the forest, Argus capitalized on the strategic advantage of the night. He deployed his team in small, agile groups to various locations, each tasked with disrupting their opponents through stealth and precision. Argus's own experience with nighttime operations made him confident that his plan would undermine the other teams significantly.

Ealdred's Team: Still Reeling

Meanwhile, Ealdred's team was laboring to recover from the setbacks earlier in the day caused by Randall's sabotage. With their fortress still vulnerable and their defenses only partially reconstructed, they struggled to maintain alertness. Argus's swift incapacitation of their lone guard earlier left them even more shorthanded, struggling with only four able members.

Randall's Continued Maneuvers

Simultaneously, Randall, taking advantage of the night which enhanced his realm-crosser wolf instincts, decided to strike again. Learning that Argus and his main forces were out on raids, Randall saw an opportunity to target Argus's lightly guarded fortress. Moving with the silence and swiftness characteristic of his wolf-like abilities, Randall approached Argus's base. He found only one member on guard duty, clearly not expecting an attack during their own offensive operation.

With a quick and calculated move, Randall incapacitated the guard, ensuring he was temporarily disabled. He then quickly set about creating subtle chaos within the fortress—displacing supplies, setting traps, and ensuring his actions would cause maximum confusion upon Argus's team's return. Randall's actions were precise and rapid, designed to finish before Argus's raiding parties could return and bolster their defenses.

Brandon's Defense at Sophie's Camp

Back at Sophie's camp, one of Argus's teams, emboldened by the night, made a move on Sophie's fortress. However, they did not anticipate encountering Brandon, Randall's friend and a fellow realm-crosser with wolf-like instincts. Brandon, who was on guard duty, used his enhanced senses and reflexes to detect and confront the intruder.

The encounter was brief but intense. Brandon utilized his instinct and agility, attributes from his previous life in Animus as a wolf, to gain the upperhand quickly. He managed to disable the member of Argus's team, neutralizing the threat effectively and protecting their fortress from any significant harm.

Aftermath of the Night's Escalations

As dawn approached, the forest was a hive of activity with teams assessing the damage and disruptions caused by the night's multiple engagements. Argus's team returned to find their fortress in disarray, the result of Randall's swift sabotage. This unexpected setback forced Argus to reconsider his night raid strategies and acknowledge the vulnerabilities in his own defenses.

Ealdred's team, already stretched thin, faced additional pressure to strengthen their fortress and remain vigilant, knowing now that they were not just the hunters but also the hunted.

Sophie's team, bolstered by Brandon's successful defense, gained a morale boost, appreciating the importance of their realm-crosser members more than ever. The incidents of the night had clearly demonstrated the pivotal role that heightened senses and instincts played in the trial, shaping the strategies and preparations of all teams as they moved forward into the next day of the competition.