Chapter 26: The Mission To Save Vaebreta Kingdom
The air in Commander Thorian's office was thick with tension as the five of them gathered around the large, oak table at the room's center. The walls were adorned with maps, battle plans, and weapons of all kinds, a testament to the countless wars and battles that had been strategized within these very walls. But tonight, the atmosphere was different, more dire than ever before.
Commander Thorian took his seat at the head of the table, his sharp eyes focused on Lucien and Zalthor, who stood before him with a mix of exhaustion and determination etched on their faces. Vice Commander Alda and Commander Viktor took their places beside Thorian, their expressions grim as they prepared to hear the full account of the mission gone awry.
Lucien took a deep breath, the weight of the events they had just experienced pressing down on him like a physical force. "We took out most of the mages, Commander," he began, his voice steady but laced with underlying tension. "Zalthor and I led the assault on the eastern flank of the Citadel, while Nizara, Zyra, and Elowyn focused on disabling the magical barriers that protected the stronghold."
Zalthor nodded in agreement, his eyes darkened by the memory of the battle. "They did their part quickly and efficiently, just as planned. The barriers were down within minutes, and they joined the Military Force squad on the western side of the Citadel, where the main battle was taking place. We thought everything was going smoothly."
Lucien's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening as he recalled the horrifying scene they had stumbled upon. "Zalthor and I were finishing up with the last of the mages when we moved to regroup with the others… but when we reached the other side, all we saw was carnage."
He paused, struggling to find the words. The memory of their comrades lying bloodied and broken on the cold stone floor was a nightmare that would haunt him forever. "Everyone was on the ground—Captain Quinn, Emiko, Raiya, Tatsuki, Elowyn, Zyra… They were all defeated, but alive. Blood was everywhere."
Zalthor's voice was low, barely above a whisper, as he added, "And then we saw him… a man in a robe, holding Nizara by the throat like he was nothing. Nizara was unconscious, defenseless. The man greeted us, said we were late… and then he drove his blade straight through Nizara's heart."
The room fell silent, the gravity of the situation pressing down on everyone present. The loss of Nizara was still fresh, a raw wound that would not heal easily, if ever. But the mission wasn't over, and the fate of the Vaebreta Kingdom still hung in the balance.
Commander Viktor broke the silence, his voice grave. "You said this robed man took Nizara's body with him. Did you get any sense of who—or what—he was?"
Lucien shook his head, frustration clear in his features. "No… he was unlike anything we've ever faced. His power was overwhelming, and his presence… it was as if the very air around him bent to his will. Zalthor and I tried to fight him, but we were no match. We had no choice but to retreat, to save the others."
Vice Commander Alda leaned forward, her sharp gaze fixed on Lucien and Zalthor. "You did the right thing in retreating, given the circumstances. But we need to understand why this enemy was there in the first place. What was his objective? Was it just to stop us, or is there something more?"
Zalthor glanced at Lucien before speaking, his voice steady. "It's hard to say, Vice Commander. But one thing's for sure—he was expecting us. He knew our mission, and he was prepared. The way he fought, the way he toyed with us… it was as if he was buying time, waiting for something."
Lucien nodded in agreement. "And that's what worries me the most. We were meant to stop the magical barriers and take out the mages so that the Vaebreta Kingdom could be secured. But with this new enemy, it feels like we've only scratched the surface of a much larger threat."
Commander Thorian leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities. "This changes everything. If the enemy we're facing is this powerful, then the Vaebreta Kingdom is in far greater danger than we anticipated."
Zalthor hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Commander, if I may… why didn't the Vaebreta Kingdom itself assist us in this mission? They knew the stakes, yet we were the only ones sent to stop the mages and dismantle the barriers."
Viktor exchanged a look with Thorian and Alda before he answered, his tone somber. "The Vaebreta Kingdom is a sanctuary, Zalthor. It's a neutral ground, led by nobody. The kingdom is a place of refuge, where those seeking peace and safety come to escape the endless wars and power struggles that plague the world. That's why they didn't send reinforcements—they don't have an army of their own. They rely on the goodwill and protection of allied kingdoms… like ours."
Alda added, her voice measured, "The Vaebreta Kingdom has always been vulnerable because of its neutrality. It's precisely why the enemy would target them, knowing they wouldn't have the means to defend themselves."
The weight of the situation settled over the room once more. The stakes had never been higher, and the reality of what they were up against was beginning to sink in.
Thorian's expression hardened, his resolve unwavering. "We don't have time to waste. The Vaebreta Kingdom is in immediate danger, and if it falls, it could trigger a chain reaction that would destabilize the entire region."
He stood up, his presence commanding the room. "We'll go to the Vaebreta Kingdom and do whatever it takes to protect it. We owe it to Nizara, to our comrades, and to the kingdom itself."
Zalthor and Lucien nodded in unison, determination burning in their eyes. Despite the grief and anger that weighed on their hearts, they knew what had to be done. They couldn't let Nizara's sacrifice be in vain.
Thorian moved to his desk, reaching for a communication orb that glowed faintly with an ethereal light. He activated it, his voice firm as he spoke into it. "Commander Isolde, I'm placing you in command of the kingdom's defenses. Coordinate with the Royal Guards and the entire Police Force. We're heading to Vaebreta, but the kingdom must remain secure in our absence."
A soft voice responded through the orb, Commander Isolde's tone calm and assured. "Understood, Commander Thorian. I'll ensure the kingdom's safety while you're away. Good luck, and may the Aether guide you."
Thorian deactivated the orb and turned back to the group. "We leave immediately. We'll face whatever enemy awaits us in Vaebreta, and we'll stop them before they can do any more harm."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Lucien, Zalthor, Alda, and Viktor. "Remember why we fight—this isn't just about the mission. It's about protecting those who can't protect themselves. It's about standing up against those who seek to destroy everything we hold dear. We've lost much today, but we haven't lost the battle. Not yet."
Thorian took a deep breath, his voice strong and filled with resolve as he addressed them. "We fight for Nizara, for our comrades, and for every life that depends on us. We fight because we must. And we will not fail."
With those words, they turned and left the office, their footsteps echoing through the halls as they prepared to face the greatest battle of their lives. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but they were ready to meet it head-on, fueled by a sense of duty and a burning desire for justice.
As they stepped out into the night, the cold air biting at their skin, they knew that whatever awaited them in Vaebreta, they would face it together.
*To Be Continued…*
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