The pale, distant light of dawn barely managed to illuminate the ash-covered landscape. The wind carried with it echoes of a devastated past, where cities were little more than rubble, and memories of a prosperous era faded like smoke.

Reik walked swiftly, his gray cloak billowing behind him as he moved along the secret path leading to the hideout. His green eyes scanned every shadow, alert for any movement. Since the devils had seized the kingdom, vigilance had become a matter of survival. Though his blonde hair was dusted with ash, it still shone like a beacon amidst the gray.

He wasn't alone. Walking beside him were two hooded figures. Laira, a young elf with a piercing gaze and silent, graceful movements, and Tharion, a stout dwarf with a braided beard, carrying a massive hammer strapped to his back. The three of them were heading to a meeting at a place few knew about: the secret headquarters of the Lions’ Guild, an underground group of fighters dedicated to freeing the kingdom from the infernal yoke.

"Do you think we'll make it before dusk?" Laira asked, breaking the silence with her soft voice, her sharp senses still attuned to the surroundings.

Reik didn’t take his eyes off the path but nodded slightly.

"If all goes according to plan, we should be there before dark," he replied. He didn’t enjoy talking much, but he knew his companions needed some reassurance that they were safe. Although, in these times, safety was merely an illusion.

Tharion let out a deep chuckle, though it lacked humor.

"Bah, like it matters whether we get there sooner or later. If the devils find us, time won't make a difference," he said, adjusting the hammer on his back. "Though, if there’s a fight, I wouldn’t mind cracking a few heads before I die."

Reik glanced at him, a half-smile tugging at his lips.

"I’d rather not die today, Tharion. There’s still much to be done."

The dwarf chuckled again, but his laughter faded as the landscape shifted before them. The path twisted between ash-covered hills until they arrived at a large rock that appeared as ordinary as the others.

"Is this it?" Laira asked, eyeing the rock with suspicion.

Reik stepped forward and pressed his hand against the surface of the rock. A few seconds later, the ground trembled slightly, and a crack appeared, revealing a hidden entrance. The Lions’ Guild had learned to hide well over the years.

"Come on, we don't have all day," Reik said as he stepped through the opening, followed by his companions.

"How did you know the entrance?" Tharion asked, his face filled with surprise.

"I have no idea, it was as if I had been here before," Reik replied, equally bewildered.

The interior of the cave was lit by torches burning with blue flames, a reminder that magic still flowed in some parts of the world. Inside, a dozen figures were gathered around a stone table. All of them were seasoned warriors—some bearing visible scars, others with eyes heavy with untold stories.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

At the head of the table stood Kaiser, the leader of the guild. He was a tall, stern man whose gaze seemed to scrutinize every newcomer. When Reik entered, Kaiser looked up and gave a slight nod.

"You’ve arrived just in time, Reik," he said, his deep voice echoing through the cave. "The situation is more critical than we expected."

"How do you know me?" Reik asked, his face filled with concern.

"It’s a long story, but we don’t have time for that now. Sit, and let’s talk," Kaiser replied.

Reik approached the table, allowing his companions to quietly take their seats. Kaiser sighed, resting both hands on the stone surface.

"The devils have reinforced the kingdom’s borders. They’ve taken control of the last strategic points we had left," he explained, pointing to a map covered in red marks. "If we don’t act now, there will be no more resistance. We need to move, and soon. Time is running out."

Reik listened closely, though his mind was distracted. Kaiser’s words echoed in his head, but he couldn’t shake the unease brought on by the leader’s gaze. How did he know him? Why had he spoken as if he knew something about Reik—something even Reik himself didn’t remember?

Kaiser paused and looked at him directly.

"Reik, I know you're troubled by what I said. I promise, when we have time, I’ll explain everything you need to know. But right now, we need your help."

"Alright," Reik replied, locking eyes with Kaiser. "What's the plan?"

Kaiser studied the map in silence for a moment before continuing. With a firm gesture, he pointed to a region that wasn’t marked in red but was surrounded by the lines of territories controlled by the devils.

"Before we rush into a suicidal offensive against their lines, there is something we must do," Kaiser said, his voice grave. "In this area..." he pointed to a spot in the south, "the devils have captured a large number of slaves. But these aren’t ordinary slaves. Most of them were warriors of the old kingdom—soldiers, swordsmen, even some high-ranking captains. People who fought for freedom before they were defeated and enslaved."

Reik raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"They’re... alive?" he asked.

"Yes, though barely. They’ve been enslaved in the camps of the Shadowed Valley, forced to work to the point of death or used as entertainment for the devils," Kaiser frowned. "However, if we manage to free them, they could join our cause. We would regain not only valuable fighters but also those who know the kingdom’s war strategies. With their help, our chances of success would increase significantly."

Laira, who had remained silent, stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with a spark of hope.

"Are you saying we have a real chance to recover part of our army?" she asked, clearly intrigued.

"Exactly," Kaiser replied. "But the mission won’t be easy. The devils have tightened security in the area. They’re using those warriors not only as slaves but also as a warning to anyone thinking of resisting. If we can infiltrate and free them, we’ll not only gain allies but also weaken the devils' forces in that region."

Tharion, ever the pragmatist, crossed his arms.

"And how exactly do you plan to get into a devil-filled camp and free an army of slaves?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

Kaiser smiled faintly, as if he had been expecting the question.

"We won’t charge in head-on, Tharion. Our spies have provided us with key information. The defenses of the Shadowed Valley rely on a magical surveillance network the devils have set up. If we manage to disable those control points, we could slip in unnoticed long enough to free the prisoners and arm them."

Tharion let out a deep sigh.

"It’s madness, but if we’re going to die, I’d rather do it with an army at our backs," he said with a mocking grin.

Reik remained silent for a moment, weighing the options. Finally, he looked at Kaiser.

"I’m in. Let’s free those warriors and give these devils what they deserve."

Kaiser gave a slight smile and nodded.

"Good. Rest up and prepare. At dawn, we leave for the Shadowed Valley."