Phoenix Vanguard: Legends of Astravera

Guilds in Action

As the group prepared for their journey to Valoria, the atmosphere grew tense, marked by the weight of recent events and the urgency of their departure. Andres glanced at the two survivors of the Frostbound Tyrant attack, both resting uneasily in the back of the wagon they had hired. He couldn’t shake his worry for them—or for Garrick and Ashton, who waited for them in Valoria. Haruki’s gaze was fixed forward, yet his occasional glances back at the survivors revealed his own concern.

Andres adjusted his gear with a furrowed brow. "Are we sure about this? No delaying, then? Valoria’s a long way off… and bringing these two along could slow us down."

Max, helping load supplies, nodded. "The least we can do is give them a chance to rest while we travel. It’s on us now."

Haruki shrugged, glancing at the still forms of the survivors from Frostbound Tyrant. "They deserve a safe place to heal," he murmured, almost to himself. "Besides, we might learn more about the attack once they’re conscious." 

Max tightened her grip on her armor, her usual stoic face betraying a flicker of worry. "This whole ordeal has left them marked. Traumas don’t heal in a day."

Meanwhile, in Valoria, Garrick sat up from his bed, breathing more easily as the strength returned to his limbs. Beside him, Ashton paced, his sharp gaze focused on a pair of Ravenous captives shackled in the dim room.

"Alright, you’re going to tell us where your hideout is," Ashton commanded, his tone deadly serious. "I don’t care how loyal you think you are. It’s over."

The two captives exchanged nervous glances before one of them finally spoke, his voice trembling. “We… we never wanted it to come to this…”

But before he could say more, his eyes widened in horror. His mouth began to froth as a lethal poison surged through his veins. The other captive gasped, his face twisted in fear as he too succumbed to the deadly toxin.

Ashton’s expression darkened, watching them convulse before falling limp.

"What… what kind of operation is Ravenous running?" Garrick asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

"One that doesn’t tolerate betrayal," Ashton muttered, a look of anger and frustration shadowing his face. “They were willing to silence their own to keep their secrets hidden.”

Garrick frowned, leaning forward. "Then it’s worse than we thought. If they’re willing to go to these lengths, we’re dealing with a threat that’s far more insidious."

Ashton tightened his fists, eyes narrowing. "Then we can’t let them hide in the shadows. We’ll drag them out, one way or another."

The tension in the air thickened as Garrick processed the implications of the sudden deaths. “They knew we were coming,” he said slowly, his voice heavy with realization. “This wasn’t just a simple interrogation. They were prepared for us to find them.”

Ashton nodded, frustration boiling beneath the surface. “They’ve planted poison in their own men. That shows how far they’ll go to protect their secrets. We need to act quickly.”

Garrick leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. “We can’t keep chasing shadows. If they’re willing to kill their own, what do they have in store for us?”

“Maybe we can find a way to lure them out,” Ashton suggested, his mind racing with possibilities. “If we create a situation where they think they can ambush us—”

A loud knock interrupted their conversation. A guard entered, his face pale. “Garrick, Ashton! You need to see this!”

Back at the wagon, the journey to Valoria progressed slowly. The rumble of the wheels echoed the uncertainty felt by the group. Andres glanced back at the sleeping survivors, worry etched across his face.