Volterian forces crossed the border with calculated aggression, targeting rebel-held towns and villages along the western frontier. At the same time, Tharion’s eastern defenses were hit by a wave of sabotage and skirmishes, forcing the fledgling alliance into action.
Juri Winkler knew this was more than a show of force—it was a declaration of war.
In the war room of Freehold Keep, Juri stood over a map of the western territories, marked with red pins indicating the sites of Volterian incursions. Garrick had returned from the frontlines, his expression grim.
“They’ve hit five towns in the past two days,” Garrick reported. “Havenfield, Greybarrow, Thornridge—they’re not just attacking, they’re occupying. Civilians are being forced out or worse.”
Kira, standing beside Juri, scowled. “So much for Volteria’s excuses about ‘stability.’ This is conquest, plain and simple.”
Valeria Eldryn studied the map, her sharp mind already piecing together the enemy’s strategy. “They’re creating a buffer zone. If they fortify these towns, they’ll have a staging ground to push deeper into our territory.”
“And if we let them dig in, we’ll be fighting an uphill battle to take it back,” Halrick added, his voice heavy with frustration.
Juri’s sharp blue eyes narrowed. “Then we don’t let them dig in. We strike back before they can entrench themselves.”
Before launching a counteroffensive, Juri reached out to Tharion’s Marches to coordinate their response. Using the newly established communication channels provided by Tharion’s engineers, Juri spoke directly with Lord Calvian and Captain Serale Dren.
“Volteria’s using a two-pronged strategy,” Juri explained. “They’re targeting our western towns while keeping your eastern border tied up with skirmishes. They’re trying to stretch us thin and break the alliance before it solidifies.”
Calvian nodded, his gray eyes thoughtful. “And what do you propose, Commander Winkler?”
“We hit them where it hurts,” Juri said. “Tharion’s forces hold the eastern border while the rebellion focuses on reclaiming the towns they’ve taken. Once we push them back, we can consolidate our positions and turn the tide.”
Serale folded her arms. “Bold, but risky. If either of us falters, Volteria could overwhelm the other.”
Juri’s voice was firm. “Then we don’t falter. This alliance only works if we trust each other.”
Juri chose Thornridge, a fortified village at the edge of Volteria’s advance, as the target for the rebellion’s first counterattack. Thornridge had been a key supply hub for the rebellion, and its capture by Volterian forces had disrupted critical supply lines.
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The battle plan was simple but effective:
- Phase One: Garrick’s sharpshooters would infiltrate the surrounding hills, picking off Volterian sentries and creating confusion.
- Phase Two: Kira and Halrick would lead ground forces to breach the village’s defenses, using explosives to disable key fortifications.
- Phase Three: Juri, piloting the Dominion-class Mech, would provide heavy firepower to neutralize Volteria’s war machines and secure the village.
Under cover of night, Garrick’s team moved into position. The sharp crack of his bowstring echoed through the hills as Volterian sentries fell one by one. The remaining soldiers scrambled to respond, their torches flickering in the darkness.
Moments later, Kira and Halrick’s forces launched their assault. Explosions lit up the night as rebel saboteurs breached the village’s outer defenses, opening the way for ground troops to pour in.
Juri entered the fray in the Dominion, the mech’s railgun firing precise bursts that obliterated enemy barricades. The Volterian forces, though disciplined, were caught off guard by the rebellion’s coordinated attack.
“Push forward!” Juri commanded through the comms. “Drive them out before they can regroup!”
Kira darted through the chaos, her daggers flashing as she took down enemy officers. Halrick, a whirlwind of steel and fury, led the charge, his massive sword cleaving through Volterian soldiers with brutal efficiency.
By dawn, Thornridge was back in rebel hands. The village was badly damaged, but the rebellion had achieved a crucial victory. Volteria’s forces retreated, their advance temporarily halted.
As the rebels secured the area, Juri surveyed the battlefield from the cockpit of the Dominion. His sharp blue eyes were calm, but the weight of the losses was clear in his expression.
“We’ve sent them a message,” Kira said, joining him. “But they’ll be back. And next time, they’ll be ready.”
“I know,” Juri replied. “But so will we.”
Meanwhile, Tharion’s forces faced their own challenges. Along the eastern border, Captain Serale Dren led a series of defensive skirmishes against Volterian saboteurs. The enemy was relentless, using hit-and-run tactics to wear down Tharion’s troops.
In one critical engagement, Serale’s forces ambushed a Volterian supply convoy, capturing valuable resources and disrupting their operations. The victory bolstered Tharion’s morale, but Serale knew the battles ahead would only grow fiercer.
Back in Ashridge, King Leovan convened his war council to discuss the setbacks at Thornridge and along the Tharion border.
General Calis Ardane, the mastermind behind Volteria’s strategy, was unfazed. “The rebellion has proven resilient, but they can’t sustain this level of resistance. Their resources are finite, and their people are growing weary of war. We’ll hit them where it hurts—Freehold Keep.”
Leovan raised an eyebrow. “You’re suggesting a direct assault on their stronghold?”
Ardane nodded. “It’s bold, but it will break them. With Freehold Keep under our control, the rebellion will crumble.”
Leovan leaned back in his chair, his gray eyes thoughtful. “Begin preparations. But ensure that our forces are ready for a prolonged campaign. I won’t tolerate failure.”
At Freehold Keep, Juri and his leadership team prepared for the next phase of the war. The victory at Thornridge had bought them time, but the looming threat of a direct Volterian assault weighed heavily on everyone’s minds.
Valeria studied reports from their scouts, her expression grim. “Volteria’s building up forces near the Ashen Crossroads. If they move on Freehold, we’ll have days at most to prepare.”
Juri’s sharp blue eyes narrowed as he looked out over the keep’s battlements. The rebellion’s survival depended on their ability to adapt, to outthink and outmaneuver an enemy with superior resources.
“We’ve fought against impossible odds before,” Juri said. “We’ll do it again.”