The mood in Refuge was electric with tension. Word spread quickly after Grizzley, Mara, and Sam returned from their confrontation with Marcus. Some residents whispered of betrayal, their trust in the council further eroded. Others, hearing the dire warnings of an imminent attack, began preparing in earnest, fortifying their homes and gathering what little weapons they had.

Grizzley stood at the east wall, surveying the weak points they had been working to reinforce. His calloused hands gripped the splintered wood of a makeshift barricade, his mind racing through every detail Marcus had shared.

Two days. That’s all they had.

“Grizz,” Mara called, jogging up beside him, her face drawn but resolute. “We’ve got people patching up the west wall and setting up traps along the main road. It’s not perfect, but it’ll slow them down.”

Grizzley nodded, his gaze distant. “It’ll have to do. We’re not fighting to win—we’re fighting to survive. We make this place too costly for them to take.”

Nearby, Sam was working with a small group of residents, instructing them on how to use simple tools as weapons—poles sharpened to points, slingshots fashioned from scraps, and anything heavy enough to swing. Lila stood by his side, holding a newly carved spear, her face a mix of determination and fear.

“You’ve got good aim, Lila,” Sam said, giving her a reassuring nod. “Keep your grip tight, stay light on your feet. You see anyone coming too close, don’t hesitate. Got it?”

She nodded, her knuckles white around the spear. “I won’t let them hurt us.”

Sam’s expression softened, and he put a hand on her shoulder. “You won’t. And I’ll be right there with you.”

Inside the council hall, Marcus sat under guard, his head in his hands. The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with tension. Ezra stood nearby, watching Marcus with a wary eye, the wrench in his hand a clear warning.

“You really think they’ll believe you’re on their side now?” Ezra asked, his tone sharp. “You think all this is just going to go away?”

Marcus looked up, his eyes red-rimmed with exhaustion. “I don’t expect forgiveness,” he said quietly. “I just want to stop this. If we fail…” He shook his head. “If Magnus takes Refuge, none of this will matter. He’ll burn this place to the ground.”

Ezra scoffed but didn’t reply. Grizzley entered the hall then, his presence filling the room. Marcus straightened, his gaze flicking nervously to the large man.

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“You said Magnus is sending scouts ahead of his main force,” Grizzley began, his voice calm but cold. “How many, and where will they strike first?”

Marcus hesitated, but the look in Grizzley’s eyes left no room for deception. “A dozen, maybe more,” he said finally. “They’ll try to slip in through the east gate, same plan as before. If they get inside, they’ll take out the alarms and weaken the defenses before the main force hits.”

Grizzley crossed his arms, studying him. “You’ll signal them as planned. But we’ll be waiting.”

That night, Grizzley, Sam, Mara, and Ezra met in a quiet corner of Refuge, going over their preparations. The firelight danced on their faces as they exchanged ideas and finalized their strategy. Lila sat close to her father, listening intently, the spear across her lap.

“We don’t have the numbers to hold them off for long,” Mara said, her voice tense. “We need to hit hard and fast. Make them think we’re stronger than we are.”

Grizzley nodded. “We’ll split into teams. Mara and Ezra, you take the west wall and make as much noise as you can—anything to draw attention away from the east. Sam and I will hold the gate.”

“And me,” Lila interjected, her voice steady.

Sam turned to her, his brow furrowing. “Lila—”

“I can fight, Dad,” she said firmly. “You’ve taught me. I’m ready.”

Sam looked at her, his face a mix of pride and worry. After a long moment, he nodded. “Stay close to me. No heroics. Promise?”

“I promise.”

Grizzley’s gaze swept over the group, his voice low but resolute. “We hold Refuge together. No one gets left behind.”

The final hours before dawn were filled with quiet activity. Residents worked silently, sharpening weapons and fortifying barricades. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and sweat, every creak of wood and scrape of metal echoing in the stillness.

Grizzley stood by the east gate, his machete strapped to his side, his mind focused. Nearby, Sam tested the locks on a reinforced gate, glancing at his daughter every few moments as she practiced with her spear.

“You ever get tired of this, Grizz?” Sam asked, his voice low.

Grizzley didn’t look up, his hands steady as he checked the edge of his blade. “Tired of fighting? Every day. But tired of surviving? Never.”

Sam nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You’ve got a way with words, you know that?”

Grizzley snorted. “Yeah, well, don’t spread it around. Got a reputation to maintain.”

They shared a brief moment of levity before the weight of the coming battle settled back over them. Grizzley’s eyes drifted to the horizon, where the first hints of light were beginning to creep into the sky.

“They’ll come soon,” he murmured. “Be ready.”

As dawn approached, Refuge stood quiet and still, its defenders hidden in the shadows, waiting. Grizzley stood at the forefront, his hand resting on his machete. Sam and Lila were close by, their expressions set with determination. From the west wall, Mara’s signal torch flared to life, the flickering light a quiet reassurance that they were all in this together.

The world seemed to hold its breath as the first figures emerged from the trees—scouts moving carefully, their silhouettes barely visible in the dim light. Grizzley tensed, his heart pounding as he signaled for the others to hold. This was just the beginning, but he knew the storm was about to break.

And when it did, they would fight. Not because they were ready, or because they wanted to, but because they had no other choice.