Chapter 115

Chapter 115
Feng's fortress stood imposingly atop the mountain, a colossal construction of dark walls and sharp towers that seemed to pierce the sky. Its black stones reflected the sunlight as if made of polished obsidian, and the sight of the place carried an aura of power and terror. Once, this castle had been the center of Feng's dominion, but now, after his death, his most loyal general, Kaien, had taken command. He had transformed the fortress into his last bastion, gathering the remaining soldiers and preparing for a battle he knew was inevitable.

Castian and his allies advanced through the surrounding hills, observing the fortress they needed to invade from a distance. The wind blew strongly there, scattering dust and carrying the smell of cold earth. The small rebel army accompanying them moved cautiously, hiding among the rock formations to avoid being detected by the sentinels high on the walls.

Mei, kneeling on the stony ground, spread out a rudimentary map before her that they had stolen from an enemy messenger. Her eyebrows were furrowed as she studied the details of the fortress's defenses.

"He has reinforced every entrance," she said, pointing to the drawings of the walls. "There are archers positioned here and here. The towers are connected by internal corridors, and the main gates are reinforced with double layers of iron."

"Kaien has left nothing to chance," murmured Xia Lin, her eyes fixed on the imposing structure.

Castian remained silent for a moment, analyzing everything. He had expected Kaien to have prepared his defenses, but seeing the map confirmed just how difficult this assault would be.

"He knows we're coming," he said finally. His voice was firm, laden with determination. "But what he doesn't know is what we're willing to do to end this."

Xia Lin crossed her arms, her fingers tightening around the hilt of one of her swords. Her gaze, full of contained hatred, never left the fortress.

"Kaien will pay for everything he has done," she said, her voice marked by a cold fury.

Castian glanced at her. He knew the weight Kaien held in Xia Lin's past, knew that this fight meant more to her than just defeating an enemy. But blind vengeance could be a weakness.

"This isn't just about Kaien," he said, turning his gaze back to the fortress. "Ending him won't be enough. We need to ensure this fortress is never again used to spread terror."

Mei looked up at him.

"And how do you plan to do that?"

Castian clenched his fists. The answer wasn't simple.

"We'll take the fortress, but not just with brute force. We need to be smart. If we try to attack head-on, we'll be massacred. But if we act quickly and precisely, we can dismantle the defenses before Kaien has time to react."

A murmur of approval spread among the warriors around them. They knew Castian spoke with the voice of someone who had faced impossible battles before.

"So what's the plan?" asked Xia Lin, impatient.

Castian looked at Mei and the other warriors.

"We'll divide our forces. One group infiltrates during the night and eliminates the archers in the towers, clearing the way for the rest of the army to advance. Another group will create a distraction at the main entrance, making Kaien believe we're attacking from there."

Xia Lin smiled, appreciating the boldness of the plan.

"Risky, but efficient."

Mei, however, looked worried.

"What if Kaien has an ace up his sleeve? He wouldn't have locked himself in this fortress if he didn't have something planned."

Castian took a deep breath.

"It's a risk we'll have to take. But if we stand still waiting, he'll grow even stronger. We need to act now."

He then pulled the Celestial Pearl from the cord around his neck. The jewel pulsed with a soft light, as if responding to the proximity of battle. Since obtaining it, Castian had felt connected to it in an inexplicable way. There was power within that relic, but also something more—something he didn't yet fully understand.

The torches along the wall were lit one by one, and the fortress, once plunged into darkness, now stood under the flickering light of fire. Shadows moved atop the walls. Sentinels, archers, and warriors patrolled the fortress like predators waiting for the right moment to strike.

Xia Lin narrowed her eyes as she watched the guards' movement.

"They're prepared for a siege," she said gravely. "Kaien already expected us to come."

Mei nodded, analyzing the activity.

"But he doesn't know exactly when we'll attack. We still have the element of surprise."

Castian clenched his fists and took a deep breath. His heart beat to the rapid rhythm of anticipation.

"Patience will be our weapon now. We can't rush."

Xia Lin made a subtle gesture to the rebels behind them, indicating they should hold their position. Silence reigned among the warriors, tension pulsing in the air like a storm about to break.

"We need to move before they reinforce the defenses even more," warned Mei.

"We wait until midnight," said Castian. "When most are tired and less alert."

Xia Lin nodded, but restlessness was written on her face. The fury within her yearned for action, but she knew this was a game of strategy, not just strength.

Time passed slowly. The wind cut their skin, carrying the smell of burnt wood from the enemy torches. On the horizon, the high moon illuminated the fortress, highlighting its impenetrable outlines. Castian felt the weight of the mission on his shoulders. It was more than just defeating Kaien; it was about putting an end to the tyranny that plagued these lands.

When the moon reached its highest point, Castian stood up, breaking the silence.

"It's time."

The warriors around him moved quickly, checking weapons, preparing bows, and sharpening blades. No words were needed. They knew what to do.

"The first group," Castian whispered to Mei, "infiltrates and eliminates the archers in the towers. As soon as they give the signal, the second group advances from the side."

Mei agreed with a firm look. She knew the danger of this mission well, but she wouldn't hesitate.

Xia Lin spun her sword in her hand, her eyes shining with a mix of anxiety and a desire for vengeance.

"Let's finish this."

With silent movements, the first warriors disappeared into the darkness, sliding like shadows down the mountainside. Castian watched as they approached the walls.

The next minutes dragged on like an eternity.

Then, a brief gleam appeared high on the wall—the signal that the first part of the plan had succeeded.

Castian raised his hand, and the rest of the rebels began to move.

The attack on the fortress of shadows had begun.