Casting Shadows

Chaoter 67

Ashina's POV

As I stepped out of the tent, the first face I saw was that of the Rewa Park leader. He stood there, his expression neutral but his eyes betraying a hint of curiosity. My heart clenched with disdain at the sight of him, the weight of Estel’s son’s words still fresh in my mind.

“Good morning, Anisha,” he greeted, his voice smooth and polite.

I forced a tight smile, not wanting to reveal the turmoil inside. “Morning.”

He glanced around the park, his gaze lingering on the children playing nearby. “I was thinking, perhaps I should stay back and watch over the little ones. I’m not sure I want to go.”

His request caught me off guard, but I didn’t protest. The less he was involved, the better. “Of course. Do as you wish.”

With that, I left him and made my way to where Zeeb was overseeing the training. He looked up as I approached, his expression shifting to one of concern when he saw my face.

“Zeeb, we need to talk,” I said, my voice low.

He nodded, dismissing the group he was instructing and walking with me to a quieter spot. “What’s going on?”

I took a deep breath, my mind racing. “Estel’s son told me that Lobo and the leader of the Rewa Park are planning to overthrow us.”

Zeeb’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening with anger. “What’s the plan?”

I quickly explained the information I had received and the urgency of the situation. Zeeb listened intently, not questioning the validity of the information. He trusted me, and that trust bolstered my resolve.

“We need to take a different approach,” I said. “Instead of fighting them head-on in the park, we should pull Lobo’s soldiers out. We can set the park on fire, forcing them to come to us.”

Zeeb nodded, a glint of determination in his eyes. “It’s risky, but it might just work.”

We called Estel’s son over and shared the plan with him. He agreed, understanding the necessity of our actions. Together, we began to plot the details, each step carefully considered to ensure the best chance of success.

As we worked, the gravity of what we were about to do weighed heavily on my mind. The park had been our sanctuary, our home. But it was also the place where Lobo’s influence lingered, and we needed to rid ourselves of that shadow if we were to survive.

Hours passed in a blur of planning and preparation. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the park, when suddenly, Amelia, one of our key strategists, collapsed. Panic spread through the camp as we rushed to her side.

“Amelia!” I called out, kneeling beside her and checking for any signs of injury or illness.

She was unconscious but breathing steadily. Estel’s son quickly fetched a healer, and we moved her to a nearby tent where she could be attended to. The unexpected event added a layer of urgency and concern to our plans. We couldn’t afford to lose anyone, especially not someone as vital as Amelia.

Zeeb took charge, delegating tasks and ensuring that our preparations continued despite the setback. His leadership was unwavering, his confidence infectious. It was moments like these that reminded me why I loved him.

As night fell, we gathered our forces, ready to execute our plan. The park was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of life replaced by a tense silence. Zeeb stood beside me, his presence a comforting anchor in the chaos.

“We’re doing the right thing,” he said, his voice low but resolute.

I nodded, my heart pounding. “I know. We have to protect our future.”

With a final nod, we moved into action. The next hours were a whirlwind of activity, each step bringing us closer to our goal. The fire spread quickly, the flames licking at the trees and buildings, casting a fiery glow across the park.

As the smoke billowed into the sky, I could feel the weight of our actions settling over me. This was our home, and we were destroying it. But it was a necessary sacrifice, a step we had to take to ensure our survival.

The sounds of chaos filled the air as Lobo’s soldiers scrambled to respond to the fire. Zeeb and I watched from a distance, our plan unfolding just as we had hoped. The soldiers were forced out of the park, their attention diverted by the blaze.

Now was our chance.

With a determined look, Zeeb signaled our forces to move in. The rogues, trained and ready, surged forward, their movements coordinated and precise. The battle that ensued was fierce, but we had the element of surprise on our side.

Amidst the fighting, I kept an eye on Zeeb, his strength and skill a beacon of hope. He moved through the fray with grace and power, his presence commanding respect and fear. It was clear that he was a leader, a true alpha in his own right.

As the battle raged on, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and love for the man fighting beside me. Together, we were unstoppable. And together, we would reclaim our home and our future.

The night stretched on, the battle ebbing and flowing with the tides of our efforts. The park was a battlefield, but it was also a testament to our determination and resilience. We fought for our future, for the lives we had built and the ones we hoped to create.

As dawn broke, the first light of a new day cast a hopeful glow over the park. The fires had died down, the smoke clearing to reveal the aftermath of our battle. We had won, but the cost was high.

Zeeb stood beside me, his hand finding mine. “We did it,” he said, his voice filled with both relief and determination.

I nodded, squeezing his hand. “We did. And now we rebuild.”

Together, we faced the dats ahead with hope and resolve. The battle was won, but the war was far from over. But with Zeeb by my side, I knew we had the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead. And as we stood there, hand in hand, I felt a sense of peace and purpose, ready to take on the world together.