Chapter 35: The Calm Before the Siege
The fortress was quiet—too quiet.
Kael stood on the battlements, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword as he scanned the horizon. The sun had long since dipped below the mountains, casting long shadows across the valley. The weight of what was coming settled deep in his chest.
They had days. Maybe less.
Darius approached, his heavy steps breaking the silence. "The men are as ready as they can be," he said. "But morale's shaky. We need a plan, Kael."
"We hold," Kael replied. "We make them bleed for every step they take toward this fortress."
Selene joined them, her bow slung over her shoulder. "Scouts returned. The gods' army is moving faster than expected. If we don't reinforce the walls, they'll break through in hours."
Kael turned to her. "How long?"
"Two days. Three at most."
Varian arrived last, his usual smirk absent. He tossed a satchel onto the stone beside them. "Intel from the messenger we captured. The gods aren't just sending foot soldiers—they're sending champions. Stronger than Oric."
Darius cursed under his breath. "As if Oric wasn't enough."
Kael exhaled, his mind racing. They had fought divine warriors before—but an entire army of them? This was something else.
But there was no turning back now.
---
Preparations for War
The rebellion moved swiftly.
Selene led a group of archers, reinforcing the watchtowers and setting up fire arrows. Darius worked with the blacksmiths, ensuring every blade was sharpened and every warrior had armor fit for battle.
Varian disappeared into the shadows, no doubt preparing traps and ambush points throughout the fortress.
Kael oversaw the defenses. The walls were strong, but not impenetrable. The main gate was their weakest point—if the gods broke through there, it would turn into a bloodbath.
He had to ensure that didn't happen.
---
A Desperate Gamble
Later that night, Kael gathered his closest allies in the war room.
A map of the fortress lay before them, marked with possible attack routes.
"We can't win in open battle," Kael began. "We hold the high ground, but the moment they breach these walls, we're finished."
Varian leaned forward. "Then we don't let them breach." He pointed to the narrow pass leading to the fortress. "This is where we strike. Funnel them in, force them into a bottleneck."
Selene nodded. "Archers from the towers, traps in the valley. We cut them down before they reach us."
Darius smirked. "And if they do reach us?"
Kael met his gaze. "Then we make our last stand."
The room fell silent.
Everyone knew what that meant.
Finally, Varian chuckled. "Well, if this is where we die, might as well make it one hell of a fight."
Kael glanced around the room, seeing the fire in their eyes. They had come too far to turn back now.
This was it.
The battle for their survival had begun.
To be continued…