🔥 Chapter 35 — Strike in the Shadows
Night had fully fallen over the eastern plains. Kael and Rhyne crouched at the edge of the ridge, Ember threads weaving silently around them, flickering like liquid fire. Below, the King's camp lay quiet, the soldiers unaware of the impending assault.
Rhyne whispered, "We move now. The perimeter is lightly guarded, and the wards are weak on this side. Once we breach, it's chaos."
Kael nodded, extending the Ember. "Follow my lead. Precision is everything—one misstep, and the alarm spreads. We disable, disorient, and target the command center first."
They descended into the shadows, Ember threads probing for hidden traps. Small arcs of redirected energy neutralized wards without triggering alerts. The first patrols passed unaware, slipping into the diversions Kael subtly created.
Rhyne moved with lethal grace, neutralizing sentries silently. Each strike was measured, ensuring no sound escaped the darkness. "Almost there," he whispered, scanning ahead.
Kael's flames flared softly, guiding them to the heart of the camp. The command center, a modest stone tent with faint magical wards, hummed with power. Inside, officers coordinated troop movements, unaware that their hub had been destabilized hours ago.
Kael gestured, Ember threads coiling. "We strike simultaneously. Wards disabled, reinforcements delayed. Precision, Rhyne—hit and vanish."
With a flash of fire and a swirl of shadows, they breached the tent. Sparks of magical energy lanced outward, deflected by Ember's control. Soldiers scrambled in surprise, wards collapsing under Kael's careful disruption.
Rhyne's blade struck with precision, incapacitating officers and shattering magical devices that could alert the rest of the camp. Outside, controlled diversions spread confusion, drawing soldiers away from the command center.
Within moments, the hub of the King's eastern forces lay in chaos. Orders were lost, coordination shattered, and the soldiers, disoriented, could not mount a coherent defense.
Kael exhaled, Ember coiling around him protectively. "It's done. The eastern forces are fractured. The King's next move will be delayed, giving us the advantage we need."
Rhyne wiped sweat from his brow, nodding. "Then we vanish before they regroup. This night has shifted the balance."
Outside, the eastern plains were silent once more, save for the faint crackle of Ember flames. The King's forces had been struck in the shadows—and Kael and Rhyne were already moving toward their next target.