[ENG] Last Reader Standing

Chapter 47: The Order's Counterattack

After a few days of well-deserved rest, Jun, Calla, Miranda, Sora, Miiko, and Liora met again with Elias and the other members of the Resistance to discuss their next actions. The destruction of the altar and the interruption of the ritual had dealt a severe blow to the Güldenstern Order, but they knew the enemy would not remain idle.

« We must prepare for a counterattack, » declared Elias, staring at the map spread out on the table. « The Güldenstern Order will not stand by after what we have done. »

Jun nodded, his eyes fixed on the strategic positions marked on the map. « We have weakened their power, but they will seek revenge. We need to anticipate their moves and strengthen our defenses. »

Liora, who had proven her worth as a valuable ally, added, « They will use every means at their disposal to track us down. We must be smarter and faster than them. »

Miranda, observing the notes they had recovered, looked up. « We know they are planning attacks on several villages to regain control. We need to warn these villages and help them prepare. »

Sora, in his human form, nodded. « We also need to find and neutralize the other secondary bases of the Order. Every base destroyed will weaken them further. »

Miiko, always ready to use her powers to help, suggested, « I can create illusions to distract them while we attack their strategic positions. »

Elias approved. « We must divide our forces. One team will warn the villages, another will neutralize the enemy bases. »

The group thus split into two teams. Jun, Calla, and Miranda would be responsible for warning the villages and helping them defend themselves, while Sora, Miiko, and Liora would take care of the enemy bases.

Jun, Calla, and Miranda quickly set out, visiting each village to explain the imminent threat. They trained the villagers to defend themselves, created evacuation plans, and set up traps to slow down the Order's forces. The villagers, though terrified, showed remarkable determination to protect their homes.

Meanwhile, Sora, Miiko, and Liora advanced stealthily toward the Order's secondary bases. Using their combined skills, they infiltrated the bases, neutralized the guards, and sabotaged the installations. Each base destroyed was another victory in their fight against the Güldenstern Order.

Their efforts quickly bore fruit. The Order's forces were destabilized by the surprise attacks and the well-organized defenses of the villages. However, the Order responded with increased violence, launching desperate and brutal attacks.

One evening, as Jun and his friends camped near a village, a messenger from the Resistance arrived in haste. « The Order has launched a massive attack on the Resistance base. Elias needs reinforcements immediately. »

Without wasting a second, Jun, Calla, and Miranda set out for the Resistance base. On the way, they met Sora, Miiko, and Liora, who had also been warned of the attack. Together, they headed to their base, ready to defend their comrades.

Upon arrival, they found the base in chaos. Members of the Order had infiltrated the perimeter, and battles were raging. Jun immediately summoned the spirits of the warriors from the Chronicles of the Immortal, Calla melted into the shadows to strike enemies by surprise, and Miranda used her illusions to create confusion among the enemy ranks.

Sora, in his wolf form, charged through the enemy lines, sowing terror and destruction. Miiko used her powers to manipulate the elements, creating storms and lightning to disorient the attackers. Liora, with her enchanted dagger, fought with deadly precision, eliminating enemy leaders one by one.

Their swift and determined intervention repelled the attack. The Order's members were forced to retreat, leaving considerable losses behind. The Resistance base was in ruins, but its defenders were unharmed, and their morale remained intact.

Elias, covered in dust and sweat, approached the group, a grateful smile on his face. « You arrived just in time. Without you, we would have been overwhelmed. »

Jun nodded, breathless but determined. « We need to strengthen our defenses and prepare for further attacks. The Order won't stop here. »

Calla, though tired, smiled as she saw the villagers they had helped arrive with reinforcements and supplies. « We won this battle, but the war continues. We must stay united and ready to fight. »

Miranda, gazing at the horizon, added, « Each victory brings us closer to our goal. We must keep striking the Order where it hurts. »

The group prepared to fortify the Resistance base and plan their next offensive. The dawn light rose over a landscape of destruction but also of hope. Together, Jun, Calla, Miranda, Sora, Miiko, Liora, and Elias knew they had the power to change the course of the war and bring peace to their world. Their fight was far from over, but their determination would never waver.