ASSASSIN'S CREED: VANGUARD

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

The sun dipped low in the sky, bathing the clearing in a golden hue that seemed to mock the tension hanging in the air. As we gathered around the map, the camaraderie felt palpable, each voice rising and falling like a battle drum, steadying us in the face of impending danger.

“Alright, listen up,” I said, commanding attention as the group settled around me. “We have a window of opportunity to disrupt their supply lines, but we need to be swift and coordinated.”

Lydia, her brow furrowed in concentration, traced the marked routes with her finger. “If we hit their supply convoy at this intersection,” she said, pointing to a spot on the map, “we can cut off their access to the village and make it harder for them to regroup.”

David nodded in agreement. “That’s a strategic location. It’s surrounded by trees on both sides, giving us natural cover. But we need to know when the convoy will be passing through.”

“We’ll have to scout the area,” I replied, my mind racing with possibilities. “David, you and Lydia can head out to watch for their movements. Markus and I will work with the others to prepare for the ambush.”

“Got it,” David said, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. “We’ll leave at dawn. That’ll give us the cover of early morning light and hopefully catch them off guard.”

As we continued to discuss the plan, I felt a sense of unity growing among us. Each voice added weight to our strategy, forging connections that had once seemed impossible. We were no longer just a scattered group of survivors; we were a force, bound together by our shared resolve to fight back.

After hours of strategizing, the sun finally sank below the horizon, plunging the clearing into shadow. We set up camp for the night, building a small fire and sharing what little food we had. The warmth of the flames offered comfort against the chill of the night, but a nagging sense of unease lingered in my gut.

As the fire crackled, I took a moment to step away from the group, needing a breath of fresh air to clear my mind. I wandered a short distance away, the sounds of laughter and planning fading behind me as I gazed up at the stars blanketing the sky.

For a brief moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like if everything turned out alright—if we could reclaim our lives, our freedom. But then the harsh reality came crashing back. The Nazis were relentless, and they would not back down without a fight.

“Hey,” a voice interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to see Markus approaching. “Thought I’d find you out here. You okay?”

I sighed, leaning against a nearby tree. “Just thinking about what’s coming. If we fail, it could cost us everything.”

Markus stepped closer, his expression serious. “I get it. But we’ve already lost so much. We can’t let fear dictate our actions. We have a chance to change the tide, to take the fight to them. We owe it to everyone who can’t fight back.”

His words struck a chord deep within me. “You’re right. We can’t afford to think like that. We have to stay focused and trust in each other.”

A small smile tugged at Markus’s lips. “That’s the spirit. Together, we’re stronger. We’ve made it this far, and we won’t stop now.”

We stood in silence for a moment, the weight of our shared burdens hanging in the air. Then, just as I was about to speak, a distant noise caught my attention—a low rumble, growing louder by the second.

“What’s that?” I whispered, my heart racing as I turned to face the source of the sound.

Markus tensed, his expression shifting to one of concern. “Could be a patrol.”