A World Between Realms

Desperate Enemy is Dangerous

As Argus moved through the forest, his journey led him unexpectedly to the remnants of Celeste's previous fortress. To his surprise, he discovered that it had been largely destroyed, a stark testament to the ferocity of the trial's challenges. Within the ruins, however, he found Matthew and Sandra, recently incorporated members of the Phoenix team, scavenging for anything useful among the debris.

The moment they spotted Argus, the fear on their faces was unmistakable. They had been briefed by Sophie on strategies for dealing with encounters they couldn't win: "run", and run fast. Sandra reacted instantly, grabbing several medicinal items they had salvaged from the fortress—of the House of Owl —and darted away, splitting from Matthew to confuse their pursuer.

Argus, assessing the situation quickly, decided to pursue Matthew, who seemed less prepared to make a quick escape. As Argus closed in, Matthew's panic escalated. "Please don't hurt me, I will concede, I will concede!" he pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.

Seeing Matthew in such a state, Argus recognizing that there was no honor or utility in harming a non-resistant opponent, he decided against engaging him in combat. Instead, he saw an opportunity to use Matthew strategically. "It's not worth a fight if your opponent is not in a state to fight," Argus reasoned aloud, his voice firm but not unkind.

Argus escorted the compliant Matthew back towards his own team's base. He planned to leverage Matthew as a bargaining chip or perhaps draw out the Phoenix team, especially Sophie.

At the same time that Argus ventured out, the Phoenix team trio—Pita, Tali, and Sophie—also mobilized, following their recent encounter with Celeste. Their collective nerves were on edge, knowing the risks they were taking could significantly impact the outcome of the trial. They moved stealthily toward the House of Wolf fortress, intent on exploiting any opportunity to gain the upper hand.

As they approached their target, the trio confirmed through quiet observation that the fortress appeared deserted. This absence of defenders was a critical piece of intelligence; it suggested that Argus and his team were either on a mission elsewhere or had left the fortress minimally guarded. Either scenario presented a strategic opportunity for the Phoenix team.

Sophie, as the leader, signaled to Pita and Tali, and they swiftly and silently coordinated their approach. The plan was clear and had been discussed beforehand—destroy the House of Wolf's fortress to disrupt their operations and force them into a defensive position when they returned. Such a move would not only weaken the Wolf team's resources and morale but also scatter their focus, making them vulnerable to further strategic strikes.

Pita, employing volatile substances foraged from the forest that were crafted to cause significant damage without the peril of igniting the woods, meticulously placed them at the fortress's structural weak points. Meanwhile, Tali stood sentinel, her gaze sweeping the encircling forest for any signs of an unexpected return by Argus or his cohorts. Sophie, ever vigilant, oversaw the operation, ensuring that each action was precise and calculated.

Once the substance were set, the trio retreated to a safe distance, and with a nod from Sophie, Pita remotely ignited the charges. The explosion was controlled but powerful, effectively collapsing key parts of the fortress and rendering it unusable.

As the dust settled and the echoes of the destruction faded, the trio quickly assessed the situation. Their mission had been a success, but they knew this action would not go unanswered. Sophie, with a strategic mind, began planning their next moves, considering how Argus might retaliate and how they could counteract.

"We need to be ready for their response," Sophie whispered to her teammates as they moved back into the cover of the forest. "This strike will make them desperate, and a desperate enemy is dangerous."

Pita and Tali nodded in agreement, their adrenaline still high from the mission's success but aware of the challenges that lay ahead. The Phoenix team had dealt a significant blow to the House of Wolf, but the trial was far from over, and they needed to remain alert and prepared for whatever came next.

As Argus and his captive, Matthew, made their way through the dense forest back to the wolf's fortress, the air was tense with the anticipation of what was to come. Matthew, although a hostage, wasn't entirely subdued in spirit. Walking beside Argus, he couldn't help but comment on the situation.

"Your tactics are as tricky as always, Argus," Matthew observed, referencing their shared past as elite students at the academy. Their history as contemporaries in a competitive training environment provided Matthew with insights into Argus's strategic mind. "I remember well from our academy days. You always had a knack for unpredictability."

However, Matthew's tone shifted as he added a significant warning, "But don't underestimate the Earthling, Sophie. She's not like the other commanders I have faced." His words carried a weight of genuine concern, suggesting that Sophie's capabilities and strategic acumen were perhaps greater than Argus had anticipated.

Argus listened intently, his expression unreadable. Inside, he was processing Matthew's words, considering them against his own observations and strategies. The mention of Sophie being an unusual threat piqued his interest—not just as a challenge to be countered, but as a potential shift in the dynamics of the trial that required adjustment in his tactics.

As Argus and Matthew neared the fortress, they spotted Celeste limping towards them, clearly in distress. Her appearance and slow, painful movements indicated she had been through a rough ordeal. Upon seeing Argus, Celeste began to explain the harrowing events she had endured.

Matthew, listening to Celeste's account, couldn't help but chuckle and remarked, "I told you not to underestimate the earthling."

Their conversation was interrupted as they reached the fortress, only to find it in shambles. Thankfully, before Argus had left earlier, he had prudently secured their food supplies and taken some medicinal items from Celeste's previous fortress. Recognizing the items among the supplies, Celeste immediately set to work, using her knowledge to concoct remedies to treat her injuries.

It was almost dark when Sytric arrived, surveying the ruined fortress with a mix of shock and relief at finding his teammates relatively safe. He noticed Argus and Matthew working together to rebuild, with Matthew's feet bound by a rope tied to a nearby tree—a temporary measure to ensure he wouldn't attempt to escape.

"I thought I was reaching their fortress," Sytric said as he joined in the reconstruction efforts, "but it turned out to be a decoy."

"I know," Argus replied, glancing at Matthew, who seemed resigned to his role in their strategy. He explained to Sytric, "We're using Matthew here to draw then out."

"So, it's a good decision to make use of Matthew to draw out Sophie," Sytric acknowledged, then added with a hint of admiration for the opposing leader, "I guess they won't know what to do next. They are that good in strategy because they make use of Matthew's mind."

Matthew chuckled at Sytric's comment. "I told you not to underestimate the Earthling," he said with a wry smile. "All the strategy is on her plan, and most of it, she just gives us tasks to do without revealing what her full plan is. She's more cunning than you can think of, and I guess you found your match, Argus."