The rebellion’s victories at Thornridge and along the Tharion border had temporarily stalled Volteria’s advance, but everyone at Freehold Keep knew the reprieve wouldn’t last. Volteria was regrouping, and their ultimate target was now clear: the heart of the rebellion itself.

  Scouts reported massive troop movements near the Ashen Crossroads, and word soon spread that King Leovan had ordered an all-out assault on Freehold Keep. With General Calis Ardane commanding the operation, it was only a matter of days before the siege began.

  The days leading up to the attack were tense. Inside the keep, the rebellion’s leaders worked tirelessly to fortify their defenses. Engineers, soldiers, and volunteers labored side by side, building barricades, reinforcing walls, and deploying Eren Vas’s mana-reactive turrets along the outer perimeter.

  Juri Winkler stood on the battlements, overseeing the preparations. His sharp blue eyes scanned the horizon, watching for the first signs of the enemy’s approach. Beside him, Kira leaned on the stone wall, her expression a mix of defiance and unease.

  “They’ll come at us with everything they’ve got,” Kira said, breaking the silence.

  Juri nodded. “That’s what I’m counting on.”

  Kira raised an eyebrow. “Counting on being outnumbered and outgunned? Sounds like a terrible plan.”

  Juri smirked faintly. “If they’re bringing their entire army here, that means they’re leaving their other fronts vulnerable. If we can hold Freehold, we’ll turn their strength into their weakness.”

  As Volteria’s army closed in, Tharion’s Marches pledged additional reinforcements to support the rebellion. Lord Calvian sent a contingent of engineers, siege experts, and heavy infantry to bolster Freehold’s defenses, while Captain Serale Dren remained on the Tharion border to fend off Volterian incursions.

  The alliance was still fragile, and some in the People’s Assembly worried about relying too heavily on Tharion’s support.

  “If we lose Freehold, Tharion could abandon us,” one representative argued during a meeting. “They’re only helping us because it serves their interests.”

  Juri’s voice cut through the room. “Then we don’t lose Freehold. We’ve fought for everything we have, and we’re not giving it up now.”

  At dawn on the fourth day, the first Volterian banners appeared on the horizon. The rebellion’s scouts reported a force of over 20,000 soldiers, supported by war machines, siege engines, and mana disruption units designed to neutralize Freehold’s defenses.

  From the battlements, Juri surveyed the approaching army with his leadership team. Halrick stood with his massive sword resting on his shoulder, his expression grim but resolute. Valeria Eldryn analyzed the enemy formations, her mind already working through possible strategies.

  “They’re disciplined,” Valeria said. “Ardane’s no fool. She’ll probe our defenses first, looking for weak points before committing to a full assault.”

  “Then we give her nothing,” Juri said. “Hold the outer walls at all costs. If they breach, we fall back and make them pay for every step.”

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  Volteria’s first attack came in the form of a barrage of siege artillery. Massive bolts and explosive shells rained down on Freehold’s outer walls, shaking the stone and sending debris flying. Rebel engineers scrambled to repair the damage while sharpshooters returned fire from the towers.

  The mana-reactive turrets, deployed along the walls, proved invaluable. They targeted Volterian siege engines with pinpoint accuracy, destroying several before the enemy could reposition.

  “Turrets are holding, but they’re focusing on the western wall,” Eren Vas reported through the comms. “If they break through there, we’ll lose the supply depot.”

  “I’ll handle it,” Juri replied.

  From the cockpit, Juri’s sharp blue eyes scanned the battlefield, identifying key targets. The Volterian siege engines were well-protected, surrounded by ranks of heavy infantry and mana barriers.

  “Eren, focus the turrets on their barriers,” Juri ordered through the comms. “I’ll take out the engines.”

  The Dominion’s plasma cutter blazed as Juri moved into close combat, cutting through Volterian soldiers and clearing a path to the siege engines. Within minutes, the western wall was secured, and the Volterians were forced to retreat.

  Despite the rebellion’s efforts, Volteria’s relentless assault eventually broke through the southern gate. Volterian infantry poured into the courtyard, clashing with rebel defenders in brutal hand-to-hand combat.

  Halrick led the countercharge, his massive sword carving a path through the enemy ranks. Kira moved like a shadow, her daggers flashing as she targeted enemy officers and disrupted their formations.

  “We can’t hold the courtyard forever!” Kira shouted through the comms.

  “Fall back to the inner keep,” Juri ordered. “Make them fight for every inch.”

  As the battle raged, General Calis Ardane advanced with her elite guard, aiming to seize the keep’s command center. Her forces were disciplined and well-equipped, and the rebellion’s defenders were pushed to their limits.

  Juri, still piloting the Dominion, moved to intercept Ardane’s forces. The mech’s Arc Pulse Cannon crackled with energy, disabling several enemy war machines and forcing Ardane to regroup.

  “Your rebellion ends here, Winkler!” Ardane shouted, her voice amplified by a mana-powered device.

  Juri smirked, his sharp blue eyes gleaming. “You’ve underestimated us, Ardane. That’s your first mistake.”

  Realizing that the Volterians were focusing all their efforts on the inner keep, Juri devised a daring plan to turn the tide. He ordered Kira and Garrick to lead a small team through the underground tunnels beneath Freehold Keep, emerging behind enemy lines to sabotage their siege engines.

  The mission was dangerous, but the team succeeded in destroying key Volterian war machines, causing chaos in their ranks. With their artillery neutralized and their forces split, the Volterian assault began to falter.

  By nightfall, the Volterian army was forced to retreat. The rebellion had held Freehold Keep, but the cost was high. Hundreds of rebel soldiers had fallen, and parts of the keep were in ruins.

  As the sun rose over the battlefield, Juri stood atop the battered battlements, his sharp blue eyes scanning the horizon.

  “We won,” Halrick said, his voice heavy. “But they’ll be back.”

  “They will,” Juri replied. “And when they do, we’ll be ready.”

  In the days following the siege, the rebellion worked tirelessly to rebuild. Messages of support poured in from Tharion’s Marches and other allied regions, inspired by the rebellion’s resilience.

  But Juri knew the war was far from over. Volteria had suffered a setback, but their resources and determination were vast. The rebellion’s survival would depend on their ability to adapt and endure.

  Standing in the keep’s war room, Juri addressed his leadership team.

  “This isn’t just about survival anymore,” he said. “It’s about showing the world that we can stand against anyone who tries to take our freedom. We didn’t come this far to back down now.”