1. The Silent Breach and the Creed of Anarchy (Years 6 & 7) đź’°
Kevin, the silent strategist now nineteen, and Even, the volatile executioner now twenty-four, had successfully breached the Death March. They were 'dead' to the records, a ghost status that was their greatest asset. Their philosophy was simple and absolute: Unconditional Freedom. They sought neither to rule nor to serve; they simply aimed to exist on their own terms, possessing the power and wealth necessary to make their will the ultimate law in their lives.
To achieve this, the next two years were dedicated to a rigorous campaign of banditry along the main trade road leading to the Meridian Capital.
The Ghosts of the Trade Road: They were not common thieves. Kevin's Unseen Edge provided perfect intelligence, mapping patrol routes and anticipating convoy movements with chilling accuracy. Even's Ghost Hook ensured the robberies were devastatingly swift, utilizing his brutal, unpredictable force to incapacitate guards instantly, making the entire operation look like the work of a phantom army. Their victims were exclusively Royal Tax Collectors, corrupt officials, and Merchant Guild leaders known for exploiting the common citizens. This selective targeting was their silent political statement—a declaration that they were stealing from the corrupt system, not the populace.
Over this period, their fame—or infamy—grew, attracting others who shared their rage and desire for unburdened autonomy. Twenty individuals joined their ranks. Kevin's recruitment was ruthless: he screened for deep-seated hatred against the Crown's control and absolute loyalty to the concept of self-rule. They were not a military; they were the nascent core of The Meridian Freedom Fighters, united by a shared contempt for authority. Their combined efforts amassed a considerable War Chest, securing their financial independence.
2. The Unscheduled Meeting: A Prince in Distress đź‘‘
As their second year of banditry drew to a close, Kevin and Even, along with their twenty members, were preparing to ambush a particularly wealthy merchant convoy. The silence of the afternoon was shattered by the frantic sound of horses.
First came a young man, barely twenty, dressed in royal silks now torn and bloodied. Trailing him were eleven loyal escorts, including a massive, hammer-wielding guard whose sheer presence screamed power. They were fleeing, not from bandits, but from a calculated military assault.
Even immediately moved to block the road, eager for a fight but puzzled by the desperation. "Stop! Your robbery ends here!" Even roared.
The giant guard, recognizing the lethal stance of the Freedom Fighters, shouted in reply: "Get out of the way! We're pursued by an army! We've no time for petty thieves!"
Kevin advanced, his grey eyes piercing the dust and chaos. "What army pursues you, and who are you?"
The massive guard, a man named Kael, quickly explained: "This is Prince Alistair, son of the King of Samara—the third-largest kingdom in the world, known for its strategic brilliance. The army behind us belongs to the Second Strongest Kingdom. They seized the opportunity while the Prince was returning from a minor treaty. Ninety percent of our escort is dead. We have twelve left. We need to reach the Samaran border now!"
Prince Alistair, though fatigued, met Kevin's gaze. "You are obviously powerful. I will pay you gold if you escort me to my Kingdom's border."
Even scoffed, stepping forward. "We are not guards! We are free men! Go find your own army!"
But Kevin silenced him with a cold hand gesture. "How much gold can you pay?"
Alistair, sensing the critical shift in negotiations, spoke the number that stunned the entire group: "Five million gold coins! I will pay you five million gold coins upon safe arrival at the border."
A wave of shock rippled through the twenty-two people assembled. Five million was a vast sum—enough to sustain their group for years, allowing them to dedicate themselves entirely to training and strategic planning without the distraction of theft.
3. The Vote and the Unbreakable Deal đź’¸
Even, adhering to his core principle of self-reliance, stood his ground. "This is protection. We serve no one! We kill for ourselves, not for kings' sons!"
Kevin, however, weighed the variables. Five Million Gold meant absolute economic freedom. Furthermore, successfully aiding a Prince from the Third Kingdom would instantly elevate their reputation from mere 'ghost bandits' to a force capable of state-level operations—a necessary step for their long-term goal.
Kevin made the decision to submit the matter to the core twenty-two for a vote, framing the issue not as servitude, but as a lucrative contract that would secure their autonomy.
The Voting: The result was split but definitive: Kevin's strategic foresight won 11 votes (Focus on securing autonomy through wealth), while Even's principled stand on absolute non-servitude garnered 9 votes. Kevin's vote tipped the scale. They would accept the contract.
Just as Even was about to protest the democratic decision, the air was ripped apart by the sound of approaching cavalry—a hundred horsemen, fast and disciplined, charging through the jungle fringe. The pursuing army had arrived.
Even's expression, a moment ago one of defiance, twisted into a maniacal grin. "Fine, Strategist! The deal is sealed. Now let's pay the price. It's been too long since I fought a real army!"
Kevin finalized the deal with Alistair: "Five million gold coins upon arrival. No more, no less."
4. The Baptism by Fire and the True Price of Protection ⚔️
The fight was a chaotic, desperate baptism for the Freedom Fighters. Kevin orchestrated the defense, utilizing the jungle as a bottleneck, while Even acted as the devastating, mobile counter-attack unit, wielding his Ghost Hook like a cyclone. The twenty-two Freedom Fighters, though vastly outnumbered, fought with the discipline instilled by their two leaders, fueled by the promise of the gold.
They won, shattering the pursuing cavalry force. But the cost was heavy: Three of their members were killed.
Even was shaken. It was the first time a member of their core group had died in battle. His rage immediately turned into a demand for compensation. He approached the relieved Prince Alistair, his face grim.
"You said five million," Even stated, his voice low and dangerous. "That was for the escort. We lost three of our own defending your royal hide. Our new rule: For every man we lose, you pay one million gold coin above the contract price. Do you agree?"
Prince Alistair, terrified by the ruthless calculation but immensely grateful for his life, immediately agreed. "Yes! Yes, of course. Five plus three... eight million gold coins. I will deliver the full eight million."
The deal was finalized. The Freedom Fighters had secured a massive fortune, but their moral compass was now permanently shifted from simple self-interest to asset-based warfare.
5. The Road to Samara: The Shadow of Surat ⛰️
The camp was dismantled instantly. They could not linger. Kevin gathered the intelligence: two routes led to Samara. One was fast, through towns and cities, but carried the high risk of exposure to the Second Strongest Kingdom's intelligence networks. The other was slow, difficult, and fraught with jungle hazards.
The main obstacle was the territory of Surat, the Second Strongest Kingdom, which lay directly between them and Samara. Navigating through Surat's heavily guarded borders was suicidal.
Kevin made the only logical decision for a group obsessed with freedom and survival: They would take the long, arduous route through the deep jungles and mountains, avoiding all major cities and human contact. They needed to move like shadows through the territory of the Second Kingdom.
Their mission was clear: deliver Prince Alistair, secure the Eight Million Gold Coins, and escape a political trap far more dangerous than any they had faced in the Death March. Their war had escalated from fighting bandits to maneuvering between the world's greatest superpowers.