Aftermath of the Escape
Dawn broke over the war camp, but there was no sense of relief. Only rage. Only betrayal.
Billy stood over the corpses of the dead guards, his jaw tight. The smell of blood mixed with the cold morning air. His officers surrounded him, silent, waiting for his command.
“Lock down the camp,” Billy ordered, his voice cutting through the tension. “No one leaves without my say.”
Kaela clenched her fists. “Reinhardt played us. He planned this from the start.”
Aelric’s face was dark with fury. “We trusted them. Gave them a seat at our table.”
Soria adjusted her glasses, her usual calm strained. “The question is, what’s their endgame? This wasn’t just an escape—it was a statement.”
Billy exhaled, forcing his anger down. “Then let’s send a statement of our own.”
He turned to a nearby officer. “Gather every scout we have. I want Reinhardt tracked. I don’t care if he’s hiding in the depths of hell—we drag him back.”
The officer nodded and ran off.
Billy turned back to his officers. “And get Varik. We’re going to make him talk.”
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Interrogation
Varik sat in the interrogation tent, bound to a chair. His lip was split, his eye bruised—Kaela’s work, no doubt. Despite that, he still smirked.
Billy entered, his presence like a cold shadow. He pulled up a chair and sat across from Varik, his expression unreadable.
“You’ve got one chance,” Billy said, voice low. “Where is Reinhardt going?”
Varik chuckled. “You think I’d sell him out?”
Billy didn’t answer. He simply drew the **chaos blade** and pressed the tip against Varik’s arm. Energy crackled, burning through the fabric of his sleeve.
Varik flinched, the smirk faltering.
Billy leaned in. “You’re already dead to him. He used you. Left you here to rot.” His eyes locked onto Varik’s. “Tell me where he’s going, and maybe I let you live.”
Varik swallowed, the first sign of hesitation showing.
Then, finally, he spoke.
“There’s an old fortress,” he muttered. “Deep in the Ashen Wastes. Reinhardt has a safe house there. If he’s regrouping, that’s where he’ll go.”
Billy nodded, standing. “Good.”
Without another word, he turned and left the tent.
Kaela followed, whispering, “What do we do with him?”
Billy didn’t look back.
“Leave him.”
Kaela raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”
Billy’s expression was ice-cold. “He’ll wish we killed him.”
Varik’s fate was sealed. The men wouldn’t trust him. He was already a dead man walking.
And Billy had more important things to deal with.
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The Hunt Begins
Within hours, the camp was mobilized. Scouts had already confirmed the fortress existed—it was a ruin, long abandoned, but strategically placed.
Reinhardt had chosen his hideout well. But it wouldn’t save him.
Billy stood at the edge of the camp, watching as his forces prepared. His **Chaos Cyborgs** loomed like war machines, their armor gleaming in the early light. His officers stood beside him, ready.
Kaela adjusted her gear. “We taking them alive?”
Billy’s eyes burned with a dangerous light.
“No.”
The hunt had begun.
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End of Chapter 78