Billy’s chaos energy illuminated the dim interior of the holding tent, casting shadows that danced across the tattered canvas walls. The courier flinched, their shadow-tainted veins pulsing faintly as the energy washed over them.
“Last chance,” Billy said, his voice cold and steady. “Speak, or I’ll make you.”
The courier’s eyes flickered with defiance, though their body trembled. “You think... you can break me? Chaos belongs to the Shadow Lords. You’ll never control it.”
Billy’s patience snapped. He extended a hand, his chaos energy swirling like a storm. The voices in his mind grew louder, feeding his anger.
Do it. Show them your strength. Bend them to your will.
Billy hesitated, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. He clenched his fist, suppressing the whispers. Instead of unleashing raw power, he focused on control. The energy coalesced into a thin tendril, snaking toward the courier’s forehead.
“This will hurt,” Billy said grimly.
The chaos energy latched onto the courier, and their scream pierced the air. Billy’s own mind reeled as he glimpsed fragmented memories—disjointed images of Shadow Lords’ fortresses, supply depots, and battle plans. But the deeper he delved, the harder it became to separate himself from the chaos.
---
Aelric’s Intervention
Outside the tent, Aelric paced restlessly. The eerie glow of chaos energy seeping through the canvas sent a chill down their spine. Unable to wait any longer, they pushed their way inside.
“Billy, stop!” Aelric shouted, their voice cutting through the courier’s anguished cries.
Billy didn’t respond. His eyes glowed an unsettling purple, his body rigid as the chaos energy tethered him to the courier’s mind.
“Damn it, Billy!” Aelric rushed forward and grabbed his shoulder. “You’re going too far. Let go!”
Billy blinked, the sound of Aelric’s voice pulling him back from the brink. With a guttural roar, he severed the connection. The chaos energy dissipated, and the courier slumped to the ground, unconscious but alive.
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Billy staggered back, clutching his head. “I got it,” he muttered hoarsely. “Locations, troop movements... everything we need.”
Aelric steadied him, their expression a mix of relief and frustration. “You’re lucky you didn’t lose yourself in there. This power—it’s a double-edged sword, Billy. You need to be more careful.”
Billy nodded faintly, though his gaze remained distant. “I’ll rest when the Shadow Lords are gone.”
---
Planning the Next Move
The command tent was alive with activity as Billy relayed the intel he had extracted. Maps were updated with new markers, and strategies began to take shape.
“This is our chance,” Kaelin said, his eyes gleaming with determination. “We can hit their supply lines and cripple their reinforcements.”
Soria tapped a section of the map. “Their main depot is here, deep within the Crimson Wastes. If we take it out, they’ll be forced to retreat—or at least rethink their strategy.”
Billy studied the map, his jaw tight. “It won’t be easy. The Crimson Wastes are treacherous, and the depot will be heavily guarded.”
“Nothing we haven’t handled before,” Aelric said, their usual confidence returning. “What’s the plan?”
Billy’s eyes hardened. “We’ll assemble a strike team—small, fast, and deadly. This isn’t a battle. It’s a precision hit.”
Kaelin frowned. “And if the Shadow Lords catch wind of our plans?”
Billy’s chaos energy flickered faintly around him. “Then we make sure they don’t live to report back.”
---
Rest Before the Storm
Later that evening, Billy found himself alone by the edge of the camp, staring out at the distant horizon. The weight of his choices pressed heavily on his shoulders, and the chaos energy within him stirred restlessly.
“You’re taking on too much,” Soria’s voice broke the silence. She approached, her expression soft but concerned. “You can’t carry the world on your shoulders, Billy.”
He didn’t look at her. “If I don’t, who will?”
Soria sighed and sat beside him. “You’re not alone. We’re all in this together, whether you like it or not. Trust us to help you. Trust me.”
Billy glanced at her, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll try. But there’s too much at stake to slow down now.”
She nodded, understanding the unspoken words. “Just promise me one thing—don’t let the chaos consume you. We need you, not the monster it wants you to become.”
Billy didn’t answer, but her words lingered in his mind as he prepared for the mission ahead.
---
The Mission Begins
Dawn broke over the camp as the strike team assembled. Billy stood at the forefront, his armor repaired and his chaos energy simmering beneath the surface. Aelric, Soria, Kaelin, and a handful of elite soldiers joined him, their expressions steeled with resolve.
“Our target is the depot in the Crimson Wastes,” Billy said, addressing the group. “We move fast, strike hard, and get out before they can mount a counterattack. Stick to the plan, and we’ll make it back in one piece.”
The soldiers saluted, their faith in him unwavering.
As the team set out, Billy couldn’t shake the whispers in his mind.
You’ll need us. Embrace the chaos. Only then will you have the power to win.
Billy pushed the voices aside, focusing on the mission. For now, his resolve was enough.
But deep down, he knew the battle within was far from over.
---
End of Chapter 38