🔥 Chapter 40 — Targeting the Next Hub
The forest was thick with mist, the Ember's glow casting long, twisting shadows as Kael and Rhyne advanced deeper into the King's eastern territory. The chaos from the counter-trap had delayed reinforcements, giving them a narrow window to strike the next critical hub.
Rhyne paused atop a ridge, scanning the faint pulses of magic through the trees. "The next hub is heavily warded. The King expects an attack after the corridor disaster, but he won't know exactly when—or from where."
Kael coiled the Ember, flames curling like serpents around his arms. "That works in our favor. This hub controls multiple supply lines and communication nodes. Destroying it will disrupt the King's eastern operations for weeks."
They moved cautiously, avoiding patrols and bypassing magical traps with the Ember's guidance. Residual energy currents led them toward the hub, faint green pulses revealing ward patterns, minor guardians, and hidden sentries.
Rhyne whispered, "The wards are stronger here. We'll need to disable them in sequence—one misstep, and alarms will alert the entire region."
Kael nodded, Ember threads probing the ground and sky alike. "Agreed. We work slowly, precisely. Each ward we neutralize must be done in rhythm with the hub's own magical pulse. Too fast, and the core detects disruption; too slow, and reinforcements arrive."
After hours of careful infiltration, they reached a high vantage point overlooking the hub. The structure was a cluster of stone towers, runes glowing faintly as green currents pulsed between them. Minor guardians patrolled the perimeter, their auras glowing under the Ember's sensing.
Kael exhaled, flames coiling tightly. "This is it. We infiltrate under cover of darkness, disable the outer wards, and then focus on the core. Precision is key—we can't afford mistakes."
Rhyne adjusted his sigil blade. "Once the hub falls, the King's eastern forces will lose coordination entirely. He'll have to react defensively, giving us control of the region."
Kael's eyes glowed, Ember pulsing like a heartbeat. "Exactly. Every move from here on is deliberate. The King won't see this coming."
The mist swirled around them as Kael and Rhyne descended toward the hub, ready to strike, knowing that this next victory could decide the fate of the entire eastern front.