Frank stood atop the town's watchtower, dawn's pale light brushing over the rooftops. The attack had passed, but the threat remained. Every alley, every rooftop, every shadow was a potential danger. And he knew one thing: Caelum would not strike openly—he would test them again.
He turned to Leo, who stood beside him, still catching his breath from the previous days' chaos.
"We can't just wait," Frank said firmly. "We need to take the fight to them—on our terms. If we keep reacting, the town will never be safe."
Leo nodded, a spark of determination replacing the lingering fear. "So… what's the plan?"
Frank pointed to the narrow streets leading to the outer gates. "We reinforce the traps, yes. But we also set ambush points. Lookouts on rooftops, signals along alleys, and chokepoints where we can control the enemy's movement. We hit them fast, hard, and vanish before they can regroup."
TRAINING THE TOWNSFOLK
Frank spent the day instructing the town's defenders. He taught them how to use improvised weapons, coordinate signals, and use terrain to their advantage. Elara, despite her lack of combat experience, was quick to learn, her eyes fierce and focused.
"You've got to move without hesitation," Frank told her, demonstrating a defensive stance with a stick. "You're not just protecting yourself—you're protecting everyone else."
Elara nodded. "I can do this… for the town. For you."
Frank's chest tightened. The words were not just reassurance—they were resolve. They weren't fighting for pride or glory—they were fighting for people they loved.
SETTING THE AMBUSH
By nightfall, the town was transformed. Traps lined the narrow streets, watchpoints manned by alert townsfolk, signals ready for instant communication. Frank crouched on a rooftop, eyes scanning the shadows below.
"Leo," he whispered. "Stay sharp. The first sign of movement—we strike."
Minutes stretched. Then—a faint shuffle in the alley below. Dark figures slipped through the narrow street.
Frank's heart pounded. This was the moment they had been preparing for.
"Now!" he shouted.
Ropes snapped, barrels rolled, bells clanged. The intruders were funneled into the streets Frank had fortified. Townsfolk moved with precision, hitting weak points, forcing them back.
One of the attackers faltered, revealing a strange emblem on his cloak—a mark Frank had seen once before, linked to Caelum's elite agents.
Frank's teeth clenched. Caelum was not only sending pawns—he was sending specialists.
The fight lasted only minutes, but to the attackers, it was devastating. Frank and Leo moved through the streets, striking swiftly, then vanishing into shadows when the enemy regrouped.
AFTERMATH
The town survived again, but Frank knew this was only the beginning. Caelum had tested them, and now, he would escalate.
Elara found him after the battle, eyes wide but proud. "You're amazing, Frank. The town… everyone… thanks to you, we survived."
Frank shook his head. "It's not me. It's all of us. But Caelum… he's learning. And next time, he won't make the same mistakes."
He looked to the horizon, where the first signs of dawn painted the hills gold. Somewhere out there, Caelum watched, plotting, calculating.
"There he stands," Caelum whispered to himself. "Still alive. Still a threat. But every hero has a breaking point."