Ren Armstrong stood at attention, his eyes focused ahead as he awaited the briefing. The large, dimly lit room of the briefing base felt colder than usual, but that didn’t matter. His heart raced with anticipation. This was his chance to prove himself after all, he had been part of the Ravenwood organization for three months, and now was the time to show his worth.

  Around him, his squad stood just as silently. Celis Veyne, with her playful smile masking the sharp intellect beneath, stood to his left. Dain, the brooding ex-soldier who rarely spoke, was nearby. And Nyx, quiet but deadly with he's bow, positioned himself in the back, he's expression always unreadable. Together, they met up Everett Sinclair’s squad. Everett, their leader, stood at the front, his commanding presence undeniable despite his relatively young age.

  Squad Commander Silas entered the room, his heavy footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The team saluted him, and he waved them down with a flick of his hand.

  “Listen up,” Silas said, his voice gruff. “You’ve been assigned a mission to assist a town outside the kingdom of Eldra. The town is under threat from a group of criminals we’ve had trouble with recently. Your objective is simple: neutralize the threat and report back. Keep it clean, and we’ll be in and out. Everett, you’re in charge.”

  Everett nodded. His sharp eyes glanced over his team, a silent affirmation of his leadership. “Understood, sir,” he replied. The rest of the team murmured their agreements.

  The squad packed their gear quickly, preparing for what seemed like a routine mission. Ren felt a rush of excitement. This was it. He’d finally get the chance to prove he was capable strong enough to be an asset, not just a liability. He glanced at Celis, who caught his eye and raised an eyebrow with a knowing grin.

  “You’re eager, aren’t you, Ren?” she teased softly, her voice light despite the seriousness of the situation.

  Ren straightened his posture, trying to keep his excitement in check. “I’ve been waiting for a real mission. This is my chance.”

  “Just don’t get too cocky. It’s not about proving yourself. It’s about getting the job done.” Celis’ playful demeanor faded slightly, replaced by a more serious edge.

  “I know,” Ren muttered. His excitement simmered down, replaced by a sense of responsibility.

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  The journey to the town was uneventful at first, the landscape changing from the familiar dense forests of Eldra to the rolling hills of the outskirts. The town, a small and peaceful place, seemed untouched by the troubles of the kingdom. Ren couldn’t help but wonder why such a quiet place needed their intervention.

  As they neared the town, Everett addressed the squad. “Stay sharp. We don’t know what we’re walking into. Keep your wits about you.”

  Ren’s nerves were on edge, but he held his excitement in check. This was a mission, not a sparring match. And then, without warning, the ambush hit.

  From the shadows, a group of heavily armed figures emerged, attacking without hesitation. Ren barely had time to react as one of them, a large, muscular man with wild hair, charged at him with a brutal, hammer-like weapon. Ren dodged just in time, but the man’s strike tore through the ground where he had been standing a second before.

  “Ambush!” Ren shouted, drawing his blade. The others quickly engaged their enemies, but Ren’s focus was on the larger man, whose raw power was intimidating.

  “Stay focused!” Everett yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos. He was locked in a deadly dance with Victor Blackmore, one of the leaders of the rogue villains they had been sent to neutralize. His swift strikes with his sword kept the enemy on the defensive, but it was clear that Victor wasn’t an opponent to be underestimated.

  Ren took a deep breath, his mind working rapidly. He had to do something prove himself. He gathered his aether, drawing it into his body, feeling the chill of his ice abilities manifest. But before he could act, another figure emerged from the shadows.

  Isabel Thornfield.

  She moved with terrifying grace, her hands igniting with fire. Before Ren could react, she unleashed a torrent of flames, her gaze fixed solely on him.

  The heat was overwhelming, and Ren barely managed to conjure a wall of ice to block the blast. But the flames licked at the edges of his defense, forcing him to retreat.

  He was outmatched.

  Back on the battlefield, Ren’s team fought valiantly. Celis and Nyx used their agility and precision to take down smaller enemies, while Dain used his strength and experience to defend the squad. But the true battle raged on between Everett and Victor. The air crackled with tension as their weapons clashed, each strike seemingly a test of strength and will.

  Ren, feeling the weight of his inadequacy, tried to charge back into the fight. But before he could get close, Isabel’s firestorm erupted again, and he was forced to retreat further.

  “This isn’t a game!” Ren shouted to himself, his frustration mounting. “I won’t be left behind.”

  As he stumbled back, he realized something. His team his friends were counting on him. He couldn’t afford to be weak anymore.

  Everett’s voice broke through the din of battle. “Ren, get back!” But it was too late. Ren rushed forward, desperation driving him.

  Suddenly, the ground trembled. Ren looked up, his heart sinking.

  A massive rock slide erupted from behind, a result of Victor’s earth manipulation. The avalanche of rocks trapped several of their soldiers, forcing them to fight for their lives. Ren’s breath quickened as the world around him became chaos. He was no longer fighting to prove himself; he was fighting to survive.

  As Ren struggled to regroup, he realized the true danger they were facing. This mission wasn’t simple. It was life or death.