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đź“– Chronicles of the Watchers
Chapter 42: Flames and Ashes
Smoke curled through the northern alleys of Kaelith like restless spirits, carrying the acrid scent of burning wood and scorched stone. Fires lit by Dominion enforcers flared unpredictably, threatening the homes of innocents and blocking the narrow paths that the Red Hands used to move silently. Liora crouched behind a collapsed wall, her eyes scanning the chaos as Selene moved alongside her, dagger poised for quick strikes.
"People trapped in the courtyard," Selene whispered, nodding toward a cluster of terrified families surrounded by flames. "If we don't act, they won't make it."
Liora's jaw tightened. "Then we make our move—fast, precise, and without hesitation." Every step was a gamble; every corner could conceal soldiers, collapsing debris, or a sudden flare of fire. The cost of failure was immediate, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders.
The Red Hands moved with silent efficiency, clearing debris, setting up improvised barriers, and guiding civilians through safe paths. Each act of rescue was punctuated by flashes of steel and bursts of controlled fire from Kairo's distant influence, though he remained unseen. His presence bolstered morale, but the immediate danger rested on Liora and Selene.
A child, no older than seven, screamed as flames licked the edges of the courtyard. Liora darted forward, scooping the trembling child into her arms while Selene cut through the nearest line of enforcers with precise, lethal strikes. The air was thick with smoke, making every breath a labor, every movement an exercise in calculated risk.
One of the Red Hands stumbled, injured by falling rubble. Liora and Selene coordinated quickly, dragging the wounded to safety while maintaining their path through the burning streets. Every second counted; the fire could spread in an instant, and Dominion patrols were not far behind.
From above, a flash of gold illuminated the streets. Kairo's controlled fire surged briefly, creating a barrier that diverted advancing soldiers without harming civilians. The Red Hands cheered quietly at the intervention, morale lifting even as danger remained imminent.
By the time they reached the safe perimeter, the courtyard was a tangle of soot-stained faces, crying children, and exhausted adults. Liora set the child down, hands trembling but eyes fierce. "We're not just fighting soldiers," she said quietly. "We're protecting lives. And every life counts."
Selene placed a hand on her shoulder, voice low and resolute. "This is what the rebellion truly costs. Fire, blood… and the courage to make impossible choices."
Above the city, smoke and flames continued to dance, a grim reminder that victory was never free. Yet in the hearts of those saved, hope flickered, growing brighter with every life pulled from the brink. And in the shadows, Liora knew that even amidst ashes, the spark of rebellion endured—unstoppable, unyielding, and alive.
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