The sun had barely climbed above the Outpost walls when the first rumors started swirling through the streets. People carried buckets of water and dragged broken planks to mend fences, but their eyes flicked nervously to the gates, as if expecting another attack at any moment.
Inside the council hall, Talon sat at a heavy wooden table, rubbing her temples. Garrett stood nearby, arms crossed, watching the doorway as if expecting someone to burst in.
Janzo shuffled into the room with a small bundle of papers, looking both exhausted and determined. "I've been going through the supply lists," he said quickly. "We're dangerously low on healing herbs and clean bandages. If we're attacked again… we won't last long."
Talon nodded slowly. "We'll need to organize a scouting group to search the forest and the old ruins for more supplies. Maybe we can trade with nearby settlements."
Garrett's voice cut in, sharp and low. "There's something else. Some of the guards reported seeing movement beyond the north ridge at dawn. A single figure, watching. Then it vanished."
Talon looked up, her eyes narrowing. "A scout?"
"Maybe," Garrett said, his jaw tightening. "Or something worse."
At that moment, Tony pushed through the door. His cloak was still torn from the fight, and his hair was tied back hastily. His eyes, though, burned with focus.
"There's something you all need to see," he said without greeting.
They followed him into the lab, where Tony had laid out a rough map of the surrounding valleys and forests. Small metal pieces, gears, and knives were scattered across it like crude markers.
"I scouted the northern ridge at first light," Tony began, tapping the map. "There are old tunnels here — abandoned mines that run deep under the hills. Whoever was watching us might be planning to use those tunnels to slip inside the Outpost."
Janzo's eyes widened. "They could bypass the walls completely."
Tony nodded grimly. "If we don't act now, we'll be surrounded from the inside before we even know it."
Talon stared at the map, her hand tightening into a fist. "We can't wait for them to make the first move."
Garrett leaned forward. "We'll need to seal the tunnels or at least set traps. And we can't let the townspeople know yet — panic would only make it easier for spies to slip through."
Janzo swallowed, glancing around. "I… I'll start making smoke bombs and alarms. Maybe some poisons too, in case they breach."
Tony gave him a small, approving nod. "Good. We'll need you."
Talon stepped away from the table, her expression sharpening. "I'll go with Garrett to scout the tunnels. Tony, you coordinate with Janzo. We need everything ready by tonight."
Garrett grinned faintly, a flash of his old spirit shining through. "Just like old times, then."
Tony met Talon's gaze. For a moment, something unspoken passed between them — a fierce, shared determination. "Be careful," he said quietly.
Talon nodded once, then turned to Garrett. "Let's move."
They left the lab together, their boots echoing against the stones. Outside, the morning had turned warmer, but the air still felt heavy, like a storm waiting beyond the horizon.
As Talon and Garrett slipped out the main gate, Tony stayed behind, watching them disappear into the distant hills. He turned back to Janzo, who was already fumbling through jars and powders.
"You know," Janzo said nervously, "I always thought I'd die mixing potions, not defending tunnels from phantom invaders."
Tony let out a short, quiet laugh, surprising them both. "You won't die today. Not if we can help it."
Janzo looked up, his hands pausing. "Promise?"
Tony met his eyes, steady and calm. "Promise."
Janzo nodded shakily, then got back to work, his fingers moving faster now.
Outside, Talon and Garrett reached the edge of the forest. Birds scattered from the branches as they moved, silent and sharp-eyed.
Garrett glanced sideways at Talon. "You know… after all this is over, we could just run. Find somewhere no one knows us."
Talon didn't slow her pace. "And leave them behind? Leave the Outpost to burn? No. We don't run."
Garrett sighed, a small, sad smile tugging at his lips. "I knew you'd say that."
She glanced at him then, a flicker of warmth in her fierce eyes. "But thank you. For not giving up on me."
He gave a quick nod, gripping his sword tighter. "Always."
Together, they slipped into the shadows of the forest, vanishing like ghosts as the sun crept higher above the Outpost walls.
Inside the lab, Tony glanced once more at the map, then at Janzo. "Tonight," he murmured.
Janzo shivered and nodded. "Tonight."
The quiet morning had turned into a countdown, each heartbeat echoing the promise of another fight.
A fight they would meet together.