Morning mist still hung heavy over the dense forest, cloaking the rebel camp hidden far from any main road. The songs of birds had begun to fade, replaced by the soft shuffle of footsteps and murmured orders from within the simple yet watchful wooden barracks.
Kael stood by a small campfire, his gaze piercing into the darkness that swallowed the thick trees surrounding them. His face was hard, but a faint furrow between his brows betrayed a weight that came not only from battlefields but from choices waiting to be made.
"Are the troops ready?" he asked, his voice low but firm, as his right hand, Garan, approached with a report in hand.
Garan nodded. "Everything's going according to plan, Kael. But the men remain on edge. They know this isn't just another rebellion. There's something darker beneath it all."
Kael exhaled slowly. "Dark or light, we'll use whatever we must. Don't let them believe we're just some wild riot with no purpose."
He turned his head, eyes sweeping over the camp. A young woman was preparing supplies, several young men spoke in hushed tones, and one youth trained others with wooden swords.
"This isn't just about fighting the Empire," Kael continued quietly. "It's about building something they'll remember that we dared to stand against injustice."
Garan raised an eyebrow. "But Kael, what about those still unsure? They're afraid we'll be crushed before we even begin."
"Let them be afraid," Kael replied with a thin, sardonic smile. "Fear is a tool. And the fear we plant in their hearts will become the fuel of our cause."
Silence fell again. The fire crackled softly, its flickers dancing like a symbol of resistance burning on, even under pressure from the mist.
"Have you heard about the imperial intelligence arriving? Word is Lucard has taken the field. That's not good news," Garan said, leaning in, his face serious.
Kael stared deeper into the fire. "Lucard or not, the plan is already in motion. We stay sharp. But we never show fear."
He clapped Garan's shoulder. "We'll see who's still standing in the end."
Around them, the camp stirred morning activity spreading. Tension and resolve mingled in the cold air, like an unspoken vow passed between them all.
Kael drew a deep breath, sharpening his focus.
"This isn't just a battle," he thought.
"It's about carving history with blood and betrayal if need be. And I must be the first to rise... and the last to fall."