Navida

Rebellion - 2

The forest was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the occasional rustle of leaves in the night breeze. Squad Beta had gathered in a small clearing, just out of sight of Soregorge. They sat around a dim lantern, its flickering light casting long shadows on their faces. The weight of what lay ahead pressed down on them, and the silence wasn't just from the need for stealth—it was the calm before the storm.

Isabelle broke the silence, her voice low but clear. "We all know what's at stake here. This mission... it's not like the others. There's no guarantee we all make it out."

Bran nodded solemnly, his eyes distant. "It's different, alright. I've faced death before, but this... it feels more real. If we mess up, it's not just us. It's everyone depending on us."

Rena, who usually wore a playful smirk, looked unusually serious. "I've never seen a place like Soregorge. It's isolated for a reason, and you know they've put their best men on guard. We've never gone up against this many awakened before. I'm... I'm not afraid to fight, but this time it feels like the odds aren't in our favor."

Jax, always the quiet one, finally spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've run through forests, scaled walls, and dodged more blades than I can count. But here... if one of those awakened gets too close... I'm not sure how much dodging will help."

Isabelle looked at each of them, her heart heavy. She had trained with them, fought alongside them, and led them through countless battles. They were more than just soldiers to her—they were friends, comrades, and in many ways, family.

"I know it's not fair," Isabelle said, her voice softer now. "We've all got reasons to hate Navida, and I know how much this mission means to each of us. But I need you all to know... no matter what happens, we've already done more than anyone could have asked for. We've fought harder than anyone thought possible. But if things go wrong, I want you to know that I'm proud of each and every one of you."

Rena smiled faintly, though her eyes were filled with emotion. "You sound like you're giving a farewell speech, Isabelle. We're getting out of this, one way or another."

Bran's gaze shifted from the ground to Isabelle. "We joined this fight to make a difference, and we have. But we can't lose sight of why we're doing this. We're here because we believe in something better—something worth fighting for."

Jax, still quiet, nodded in agreement. "We have to make this count. For Arasene, for everyone we've lost, and for each other."

Isabelle let out a slow breath, her resolve hardening. "Then let's make sure we get it done. Whatever it takes."

They sat in silence for a few more moments, the weight of their words settling in. There was no more fear in their eyes, only determination. They knew the risks, but they also knew that what they were doing was necessary. Soregorge wasn't just a town—it was the key to Navida's power, and they were the ones who could take that key away.

The sky was still cloaked in darkness when Squad Beta set off for Soregorge. The town lay in a secluded valley, hidden away from the rest of Arasene by steep mountains and dense forests. Soregorge wasn't just isolated—it was a fortress. Navida had kept the town cut off to prevent the leak of the secret method of processing arnite. The only way in or out was through narrow mountain passes, guarded by Navida's most formidable awakened soldiers.

Isabelle led the way, her sharp eyes scanning the terrain ahead. The squad moved with absolute silence, each step cautious, every breath controlled. Bran, Rena, and Jax followed closely, their faces etched with determination. The weight of their mission pressed down on them—crippling Soregorge would strike a devastating blow to Navida's war machine, but the town's isolation meant that once they were inside, there would be no help, no backup, and no escape if things went wrong.