Navida

Assault - 1

As the first light of dawn still waited to creep into the horizon, the rebels gathered in hushed anticipation. Noah stood near the edge of the clearing, his sharp eyes scanning the figures moving about, readying themselves for the day's mission. The cool morning air carried a sense of tension and purpose, a shared understanding that today was the day their lives could change forever.

He shifted his weight, his thoughts turning to the task at hand, when he noticed a familiar figure approaching—Jacques. At first, Noah's eyes widened in disbelief. For a moment, he was unsure if he was seeing things correctly. Then, recognition settled in, followed swiftly by an expression of surprise and joy.

"Jacques!" Noah exclaimed, striding over. His voice carried both relief and excitement. "I thought you weren't coming with us."

Jacques offered a small, determined smile. "Plans change, Noah. I couldn't sit back while everyone else was out there risking their lives. Hans finally saw it my way."

Noah shook his head with a grin. "I knew you'd find a way in. Can't imagine doing this without you, anyway."

They clasped hands, a brief but strong exchange that conveyed their mutual respect and camaraderie. As they stood together, side by side, the weight of the mission settled over them both.

"Are you ready for this?" Jacques asked, his tone serious now.

Noah's smile faded slightly, replaced by a determined expression. "I'm ready. But it's hard not to think about what happens if we fail. This isn't just about us—it's about everyone we've been fighting for."

Jacques nodded, his eyes flickering with a mixture of resolve and fear. "I know. But we've come too far to turn back now. We've survived too much. We have to believe in ourselves, in this mission."

There was a moment of silence as they both stared into the distance, the enormity of the task ahead weighing heavily on their minds. The fear of failure lingered in the background, a shadow that neither of them could fully shake off. Yet, within that fear, there was also a burning determination—an unspoken promise to each other that they would see this through, no matter the cost.

Noah exhaled slowly. "We'll make it work. We have to."

Jacques nodded again, more firmly this time. "We will. For Arasene."

The two of them stood there, united by their shared purpose, their friendship forged in the fires of rebellion. As the final preparations were made and the moment of departure approached, Noah and Jacques exchanged one last look—a look that held all their hopes, fears, and unyielding determination.

With that, they turned and joined the rest of the squad, ready to face whatever awaited them.

As the night grew quieter and the other squads set out on their duties, Jacques and Noah sat together near the edge of the camp. The crackling of the small fire between them was the only sound breaking the silence. Noah poked at the flames absentmindedly, his usual bravado replaced by a rare stillness. Jacques stared into the flickering light, lost in thought.

"It's crazy, isn't it?" Noah's voice broke the silence. "How far we've come... from that day."

Jacques didn't respond immediately.

The memory surfaced like an unwanted specter. The early morning fog clung to the air, but his mind was far from the present. It was back in Crookfort, the village where it all began—the place that no longer existed.

Jacques could feel the sun on his skin, warm and gentle, as he and Noah played near the edge of the forest, the laughter of children echoing through the peaceful village. Life was simple then, their worries limited to chores and how much trouble they might get into if they returned home late. The world beyond Crookfort was a distant thought, overshadowed by the towering trees and the comforting routine of village life.