Eclipsed

Chapter 16

Chapter 16: The Strategic Hunt

The midday sun glared overhead as the group gathered in the clearing. Valen knelt beside a large, flat rock, spreading out the map Aunt Kaelira had entrusted to him. The parchment was worn, marked with detailed notations of fortresses, roads, and hidden passages.

“Well,” Valen began, his finger tracing the jagged lines on the map, “our next targets in the Mal’gorath are Ozthayr and Rhulgar.” He pointed to two fortresses, one to the north near a dense forest and the other built into the eastern cliffs. “Oh, and I don’t think I’ve mentioned this yet—Ren has already killed one of the twelve Mal’gorath. That leaves eleven.”

Kael looked up sharply. “Wait, really? He’s already killed one?”

Alina glanced at Ren with an unreadable expression. “Hm.”

Valen continued, his tone growing serious. “That means the Mal’gorath are aware they’re being hunted. They may not know exactly who’s targeting them yet, but they’ll be on high alert.”

Kael frowned, leaning back against a tree. “So they know they’re in danger. That complicates things.”

Valen nodded grimly. “Exactly. But we can’t afford to take them head-on. It’s suicide. We have to pick them off one by one, strategically. If we make even one mistake, they’ll come down on us like a storm.”

Alina’s sharp eyes flicked back to Valen. “So how are we going to kill Rhulgar and Ozthayr?”

Ren, who had been quietly leaning against a nearby tree, arms crossed, finally spoke up. “Simple. Kael, Valen, and Alina—you handle Rhulgar. I’ll deal with Ozthayr myself.”

The clearing fell silent as everyone turned to stare at him.

Valen broke the silence, his voice filled with disbelief. “Ren, that’s absurd. Ozthayr isn’t some low-tier fighter. He’s the fifth strongest of the Mal’gorath. His fortress is nearly impenetrable, and he’s guarded by elite warriors. You can’t take him on alone.”

Ren’s expression didn’t waver. “I don’t care. I have a personal score to settle with him.”

Valen hesitated, then softened his tone. “I understand this is personal for you, but going alone isn’t just dangerous—it’s reckless.”

Alina added quietly, “Ren, let me help you. We could fight him together.”

Ren shook his head. “No. This is something I need to do on my own. I’ll handle him.”

Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. “This sounds suicidal. Do you even have a plan, Ren?”

Ren’s piercing gaze turned to Valen. “Then tell me. If you were me, how would you do it?”

Valen considered for a moment, then crouched down, tapping the map near Ozthayr’s fortress. “Alright, listen. If you’re dead set on going alone, you’ll have to rely on precision and misdirection. Ozthayr thrives on control—his strength lies in his overwhelming dominance, not just in combat but in his environment. You can’t fight him in a direct assault. Instead, you need to disrupt his stronghold and draw him out.”

Ren’s brows furrowed. “How?”

Valen smirked slightly. “Sabotage. His fortress depends on its water reserves—look here.” He pointed to a stream that fed into the fortress. “That’s their lifeline. Block it. Poison it. Create enough chaos, and Ozthayr will be forced to leave the safety of his walls. Once he’s out, you can fight him on neutral ground where he doesn’t have the upper hand.”

Kael’s eyes widened in appreciation. “That’s… actually a damn good strategy.”

Ren considered this for a moment, his expression softening slightly. “Alright. I’ll do it your way.”

Valen turned back to the others. “Now for us. Rhulgar’s fortress is slightly less fortified, but it’s still a challenge. The good news is that there’s three of us, and Rhulgar isn’t as strong as Ozthayr. The bad news is, his fortress is built into the cliffs, with a single main entrance. It’s heavily guarded.”

Kael leaned forward. “So how do we get in?”

Valen traced the map again. “There’s a forgotten path here, on the western side of the cliffs. It’s treacherous and rarely patrolled because of its natural hazards. We’ll approach at night, using the shadows to hide our movements. Once we’re close, Alina will create a distraction near the main gate to draw the guards away. Kael and I will slip in through the western path and head straight for Rhulgar.”

Alina raised an eyebrow. “A distraction, huh? What kind of distraction?”

Valen smirked. “Something loud, flashy, and chaotic—something only you can pull off. Once the guards are distracted, you’ll circle back and meet us inside.”

Alina gave a small smile. “Alright. I like the sound of that.”

Kael cracked his knuckles. “And once we find Rhulgar?”

Valen’s expression darkened. “We don’t give him time to react. Rhulgar relies on brute strength, so we can’t let him gain momentum. Overwhelm him quickly, and don’t let him retreat into the deeper parts of the fortress.”

Kael nodded. “Quick, brutal, and decisive. I like it.”

Valen glanced at Ren. “We’ll handle Rhulgar. You focus on Ozthayr. Stick to the plan.”

Ren gave a curt nod. “Don’t worry about me. Just make sure you don’t get yourselves killed.”

As the group finalized their strategies, the tension in the air grew heavier. The stakes had never been higher. They were no longer just fighting for survival—they were taking the fight to the Mal’gorath, and one wrong step could mean the end for all of them. But for now, they had a plan. It was time to act.

Valen rolled up the map and tucked it into his satchel, standing tall. "Let's set out next morning, then," he said, his voice steady but firm. "We’ll need the rest and an early start to make it to Tsuhora on time."

Ren nodded, crossing his arms. “Works for me.”

Kael stretched, letting out a yawn. “Finally, I’ll get to sleep on something other than dirt. We better not run into any trouble on the way.”

Alina smiled faintly as she adjusted the clasp of her cloak. “You say that every time, Kael. When has a journey ever been smooth for us?”

Kael threw up his hands. “A guy can hope, can’t he?”

Valen smirked. “Hope doesn’t keep us alive, Kael. Preparation does. Get your gear in order tonight; we leave at first light.”

Kael rolled his eyes but gave a mock salute. “Yes, sir, master planner.”

Ren turned to leave the group, his tone flat but purposeful. “I’ll get my stuff ready.”

Alina watched him go, her expression thoughtful. She turned to Valen. “Do you think he’ll really be alright on his own against Ozthayr?”

Valen hesitated, glancing in the direction Ren had gone. “I don’t know, Alina. Ren’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever met, but Ozthayr is no ordinary opponent. We just have to trust him—and stick to the plan.”

Kael crossed his arms. “I just hope this plan of yours works as well as you think it will.”

Valen gave him a confident smile. “It will. Just be ready to hold up your end tomorrow.”

Kael smirked back. “Don’t worry. I always deliver.”

The group dispersed to prepare for the journey, the weight of the mission ahead settling over them like a heavy fog.