Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Shadows in the Dawn*

The reinforcements arrived just as the first rays of dawn fully illuminated the battlefield. Trucks rumbled in, carrying fresh troops, medical supplies, and much-needed ammunition. The sound of soldiers disembarking and setting up defensive positions brought a sense of order to the chaotic aftermath of the night's skirmish. For Sophia, it was a bittersweet relief—reinforcements meant they had survived the night, but they were also a stark reminder that the fight was far from over.

Sophia, Ethan, and Zoe had barely had time to catch their breath when Lieutenant Harper's voice crackled over the comms again, summoning them back to base for an urgent briefing. The exhaustion that clung to them like a second skin didn't slow their pace as they boarded the transport vehicle. They were hardened now, conditioned by the relentless pressure of the war. Rest would come later—if it came at all.