Love Amidst the Flames

Chap 17

The final battle erupted in the height of tension; the South had achieved a resounding victory, leaving only the North – where Engfa and her comrades were fighting with all their might. Waves of Japanese soldiers awaited their chance to strike back, but the Northern soldiers’ determination had reached an unshakeable level. Every drop of their blood, every fiber of their being, symbolized patriotism, an indomitable spirit. They were ready to sacrifice everything for freedom and independence for their homeland.

Engfa, dressed in her battle-worn uniform, led her team deeper into enemy strongholds. Her gaze was sharp and resolute; every movement radiated strength and unyielding determination. The battle raged like a storm. Our forces captured numerous strategic points, but as they approached the central area where the Japanese commander Mizu was hiding, the clash grew fiercer than ever.

The sound of bullets slicing through the air echoed continuously, gun smoke blanketed the sky, and dust veiled the battlefield. Soldiers on both sides were on the verge of death, but none wavered.

Engfa led her troops into the enemy's food supply area. Soldiers around her fought relentlessly; blood and sweat merged, and cries of agony echoed across the battleground. Grenades were thrown toward the Japanese soldiers, their explosions shaking the very ground. The sun had barely risen, but the battle had raged on till morning, with no one stopping to rest.

Sun completed her mission, surrounding the enemy's escape routes. But the Japanese were too strong; they launched fierce counterattacks, causing significant casualties among Engfa's troops. The fight became more brutal than ever, the ground soaked with every drop of blood.

The central area was their final target. Engfa led an elite group of soldiers to capture Mizu alive.

In the midst of the chaotic battlefield, gunfire rang out everywhere. Engfa and her elite team pressed forward toward the central area, determined to win this life-or-death battle.

Her gaze remained unwavering, determination etched onto her face. She shouted to motivate the soldiers:

• "We're only one step away! Move forward, all for freedom!"

The soldiers' voices echoed back amidst the smoke-filled air:

• "For freedom!"

They charged, firing toward the Japanese troops. The sound of gunfire mixed with the cries of attack, and though soldiers fell, none ceased advancing.

Engfa led from the front, her gun continuously firing, taking down one enemy after another. Sun followed closely behind her, eyes focused, guarding Engfa's every step.

Engfa looked toward the enemy, pointing toward the final target:

• "Mizu! Surrender now; there is no escape for you!" she shouted, her voice filled with authority.

Mizu stood amidst his camp, his face calm as if he had prepared for all possibilities. He smirked derisively, speaking loudly for all to hear:

• "Do you think you can win? The Japanese army has never known defeat!"

Engfa remained unfazed by his threats. She took another step forward, her gun pointed directly at Mizu.

• "You have no choice. Surrender now, or die."

The atmosphere grew tense, both sides watching in silence. Mizu kept his composure, but his calculating gaze revealed a hint of unease. At that exact moment, a gunshot came from behind. It was Suz, a hidden traitor. The bullet hurtled toward Engfa with terrifying speed.

• "Engfa, watch out!" Sun shouted, rushing to push her out of harm's way.

Though Sun managed to shield her from a shot to the chest, the bullet still pierced Engfa’s right shoulder, causing her to collapse to the ground. She clutched her shoulder in pain, blood soaking through her uniform.

• "No! Engfa!" Sun knelt beside her, eyes filled with worry. Engfa forced herself to look up at Sun, suppressing the pain.

• "It’s okay... Sun... Capture Mizu... Don’t let him escape..."

Sun nodded, determination clear on her face. She turned back to command the troops, taking down the remaining enemies and capturing Mizu.

Suz had quickly fled after firing his shot, but before disappearing into the shadows, he exchanged a cold, sneering glance with Engfa’s resilient gaze. He smirked and vanished into the darkness of the battlefield.

Mizu was taken captive, but Engfa collapsed due to blood loss. Sun frantically called the soldiers over, immediately arranging for Engfa to be taken back to base.

Amidst the victory cheers of our troops, a quiet emptiness filled Sun and her closest soldiers. Engfa, their valiant commander, lay there, blood still flowing from her shoulder wound.

News of the victory quickly reached the border, where soldiers and civilians cheered in celebration. But among the joyous cries, Charlotte received devastating news: Commander Engfa had been shot and was in critical condition. Her heart seemed to stop; every emotion seemed to collapse at that moment. She couldn’t believe that the one she loved most was close to death.

• "My Engfa… it can't be… it just can't..." Charlotte muttered, her hands trembling. Amid the victory cheers, her heart sank in deep anxiety and fear.

Hearing of Engfa’s critical state, Charlotte’s heart shattered. Just moments earlier, she had been hiding in a safe place, but now everything seemed meaningless.

She dashed outside, running wildly toward the command post – where Engfa had been brought. Her legs moved swiftly over the muddy roads, the wind howling past her ears, but she felt nothing but the pain consuming her entire being. Tears blurred her vision, her heart nearly breaking.

Engfa – her sky, the one she cherished more than life itself – could she still hear her desperate call?

The heavy footsteps of soldiers around echoed in the bustling atmosphere. They had just won the battle, their faces smudged with dirt but filled with freedom. Yet their worried gazes followed Charlotte as she ran, her face wet with tears, revealing that they, too, bore silent fears.

As Charlotte neared the camp, Sun – her comrade-in-arms and leader of the army – stepped out, his gaze steady. He reassured her, recounting everything. Engfa had been gravely wounded in the battle but had luckily survived the critical point. However, she had yet to regain consciousness and might need a lot of time to recover.

Sun announced that at noon, they would take Engfa to Bangkok for the best medical care.

• "She needs to recover as soon as possible," Sun said, his voice firm yet unable to conceal his concern.

Charlotte listened to Sun, but her heart felt frozen. The country had gained freedom, yet she felt no joy. Everything had seemed like it would be perfect with victory, but her sky – Engfa – lay still. Everything around Charlotte felt colorless; the freedom she had longed for suddenly felt meaningless when the one who made her life complete lay between life and death.

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Hy.