Navida

Assault - 2

The night had fully settled by the time Squad Epsilon reached the outer walls of Vainedge. The city, bathed in the pale glow of moonlight, stood like a fortress, every stone in its towering walls a reminder of Navida's iron grip on Arasene. The air was thick with tension as Hans led his squad closer, his every step measured, his gaze fixed on their target.

They moved through the shadows, keeping low and silent, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. The city gates were heavily guarded, just as they had expected. Navidan soldiers, their armor glinting under the faint light of the torches, patrolled the perimeter with a practiced efficiency. They were disciplined, alert, and well-prepared—a formidable challenge for any force.

Hans raised a hand, signaling for the squad to halt. They gathered behind a cluster of large rocks, just out of sight from the guards. The plan was simple, but execution was everything. They would need to breach the walls, infiltrate the city, and create enough chaos to weaken Navida's defenses from within. But getting past the guards unnoticed was the first hurdle, and it was one that could determine the success or failure of their mission.

Noah crouched beside Jacques, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, a mixture of excitement and fear. The weight of what they were about to do pressed down on him, but he forced himself to focus. This was their moment—everything they had fought for, everything they had lost, had led to this night.

Hans motioned for them to move. Reed and Lina took point, their figures blending into the darkness as they crept toward the walls. Noah and Jacques followed closely behind, every muscle in their bodies tensed, ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation. Hans brought up the rear, his eyes never leaving the guards as he mentally calculated their movements.

As they approached the walls, Noah could hear the soft clink of the guards' armor, the low murmur of their voices as they exchanged words. The night was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind, and every sound seemed amplified in the stillness. Noah's grip tightened on his dagger as they came within striking distance.

Reed was the first to act. With a swift, precise movement, he scaled the wall, his hands finding purchase in the cracks between the stones. He reached the top without a sound, disappearing over the edge. Moments later, Lina followed, her movements just as fluid and silent. They were inside.

Noah and Jacques exchanged a glance. This was it. Noah nodded, and they both made their move, scaling the wall with practiced ease. The rough stone scraped against Noah's hands, but he pushed the discomfort aside, his focus solely on reaching the top. When he finally pulled himself over the edge, he found Reed and Lina already crouched behind a stack of crates, their weapons at the ready.

Hans was the last to join them, his presence reassuring in its steadiness. They were inside the city now, but this was only the beginning.

The city streets were eerily quiet, the usual hustle and bustle of Vainedge replaced by an uneasy calm. The squad moved through the narrow alleyways, avoiding the main roads where patrols were more frequent. They could hear the distant clatter of armor and the occasional shout of a guard, but for the most part, the city seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the storm that was about to break.

As Squad Epsilon crept closer to the heart of Vainedge, the streets narrowed, unlike the outer ring, the streets here twisted like a labyrinth designed to confuse intruders. The air grew colder, thicker with tension. Every step echoed faintly off the ancient stones, a sound they desperately tried to suppress. Hans led them with unwavering focus, his eyes scanning the surroundings, ever vigilant. But even he couldn't anticipate what came next.