The morning after the first coordinated attack, the town felt tense. People moved quietly, glancing at barricades and rooftops, aware something had happened in the shadows. Frank and Leo met at the square, discussing what had occurred.
"They weren't working alone," Frank said, tracing the paths on the map. "Their movements were too coordinated, too precise. Someone is leading them."
Leo frowned. "Do you mean… a leader?"
Frank nodded. "Yes. And whoever it is, they're watching us. Testing our reactions. This was just the first trial. Next time, they'll come prepared."
They returned to the watchtower, examining the scraps of black fabric and the torn parchment from the previous day. Frank noticed something he had missed before—a small mark on the map that seemed like a signature, a symbol repeated in multiple places.
"This mark," Frank said, pointing, "it's a calling card. Whoever is behind this wants us to know they're here… but only hints, not everything. They're clever. They want us to chase shadows, make mistakes."
Leo's eyes widened. "So the first attackers… they're just pawns?"
Frank's jaw tightened. "Exactly. They're trained to test us, but they're not the real threat. The real danger is the one who planned everything, the one who watches and waits. That's our target."
A sudden gust of wind carried the faintest whisper across the square, almost imperceptible, but Frank froze. His instincts screamed the voice belonged to the one who had been watching from rooftops.
"Leo," he said quietly, "we need to prepare for more than attacks. We need intelligence, traps, and allies. And we need to understand the one pulling the strings. Only then can we truly protect the town."
Leo nodded, determination in his eyes. "Then let's find them. We can't wait until they strike again."
Frank studied the town, the rooftops, the alleys. Somewhere out there, the true leader was watching, calculating every move they made. But for the first time, Frank felt a surge of resolve.
The first wave had been a warning. The next one would be a test of everything he had learned.
And from the shadows, the unseen leader whispered:
"There he stands… but does he know who I am?"