Is this really a Game?!

The terrain became rougher as they distanced themselves from the original path. Reign's guidance, coupled with Athlaston's strategic expertise, ensured a smooth evasion of the enemy forces. The Elais Kingdom, frustrated by the turn of events, scrambled to regroup and pursue the Irason forces.

As the group reached a temporary safe zone, Athlaston signaled his men to take defensive positions. Reign emerged from the shadows, his figure materializing amidst the group. Athlaston, his gaze fixed on Reign, acknowledged the timely intervention.

"Reign, you've proven yourself a valuable ally. How did you come by this information, and why did you choose to help us?" Athlaston inquired his tone a mix of gratitude and curiosity.

Reign briefly recounted the events at the outpost, including the discovery of the traitors and the plan to ambush Athlaston's group. "I had to intervene, I was luckily able to notice that the two were acting weirdly during our conversation, so I was able to fool them and then listen in to their conversation before taking them down."

Athlaston nodded, appreciating the gravity of the situation. "We owe you our thanks, Reign. But the Elais Kingdom won't give up so easily. What's our next move?"

"The outpost has been reclaimed, I have killed two of their Tier V combatants, and the leader, as well as two more Tier Vs, have been imprisoned, as were over 200 soldiers."

"The outpost is no longer a problem for you guys, but the guys that were about to ambush you are." Reign's words made Athlaston, as well as the others with him, all nod in agreement.

"From what I sensed when I arrived, they have more Tier V combatants than we do, which is also more than what was said in that report I read, there could be two reasons for that."

"One, the battalion in the outpost was never given the real number of fighters the party has in case they were compromised, and the information was taken by you guys, which would allow them to survive even if ambushed thanks to their numbers."

"I hope that's the case because the second reason is that they have more people present here, and after those two notified them that we know of their plan, they called more people over to help them ambush you."

"That would mean that there are more traitors in this area and that the enemy has also infiltrated it more deeply than what we initially believed."

Athlaston's expression hardened at the revelation. The intricacies of the unfolding situation weighed heavily on his shoulders. "If there are more traitors among us, we need to root them out. We can't afford to have internal threats while facing an external one."

Reign nodded in agreement. "Agreed. We need to act swiftly and decisively. First, we need to secure a defensible position while we assess the situation. Once we've established a stronghold, we can plan our next moves and identify any potential infiltrators."

The group moved with precision, guided by Reign's knowledge of the terrain. They found a vantage point overlooking the surroundings, providing both visibility and strategic advantage. Athlaston, a seasoned tactician, began strategizing with Reign.

"We can't let them dictate the terms of engagement. We need to lure them into a position where we have the upper hand," Athlaston remarked.

Reign added, "And we need to be cautious about our communications. If they have infiltrators, they might intercept our messages. For now, we should not send any messages to the others, this group needs to be ready to attack the enemy."

"First we deal with the immediate threat, which is the external enemy, the party that you were planning on ambushing."

"After we take them down, we can start focusing on weeding out traitors, luckily for us, the council members that were present in the outpost know of this, and they will also take precautions."

As the group prepared for a potential confrontation, tensions were high. The traitors within the outpost had already caused significant damage, and the threat of more infiltrators added an element of uncertainty. The night was their ally, shrouding their movements in darkness.

Aethion's voice resonated in Reign's mind, "Be vigilant, Reign. The enemy may not be aware that you're still with Athlaston's group. Use that to your advantage. We need to turn the tables on them."

Reign acknowledged Aethion's advice, his senses finely tuned to the slightest disturbances in the surroundings. The group remained in a state of heightened alertness, waiting for any signs of the approaching threat.

Meanwhile, back at the reclaimed outpost, the traitors were being interrogated by Irason Kingdom officials. The atmosphere within the outpost had shifted from celebration to a somber determination to root out the internal threat. Council members, soldiers, and citizens alike were on edge.

The leader of the council, the same seasoned warrior who had commended Reign earlier, addressed the gathered crowd. "We have traitors among us, and we won't rest until we've identified and neutralized every one of them. This is a test of our loyalty and resilience. We will not let the Elais Kingdom sow discord within our ranks."

The crowd responded with a resolute nod. Security measures were intensified, and investigations were underway to uncover any remaining infiltrators. The outpost, recently reclaimed, found itself once again at the forefront of a battle.

With the enemy aware that the battalion was taken down, they might very well try to attack the outpost and save their men before they were sent to the city where it would be much more easy for the Irason Kingdom's men to hold them.

Back in the field, Athlaston and Reign observed the surroundings, eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of movement. The night was eerily quiet, broken only by the rustle of leaves or distant sounds of the wilderness.

"We can't stay here for long. If they've called in reinforcements, they'll be closing in on our position," Athlaston remarked.

Reign nodded, "Agreed. Let's set up diversionary traps and signals to mislead them. We'll draw them into a position where we have the advantage. Once we engage, we need to move quickly and decisively."

The group, guided by Reign's expertise and Athlaston's strategic mind, began setting up traps and creating illusions to misdirect the approaching enemy. Every movement was deliberate, every action calculated to give them the upper hand.

As they waited for the enemy to take the bait, Reign couldn't shake the feeling that there was more at play than just a strategic ambush. The traitors' betrayal had revealed a deeper infiltration, and he couldn't discount the possibility of a more significant plot unfolding.

A sudden rustle in the bushes alerted the group. Athlaston signaled for silence as everyone tensed, ready for action. Shadows emerged from the darkness, and the figures of Elais Kingdom soldiers became visible.

Reign observed their movements, noting their numbers and positions. He whispered to Athlaston, "Wait for my signal. We need to strike when they least expect it."

The tension in the air reached its peak as the Elais Kingdom forces closed in, believing they had the advantage. Little did they know that the tables were about to turn.

Reign, utilizing his mastery over lightning, sent a subtle signal to Athlaston. It was time to spring the trap. The diversionary tactics had lured the enemy into a carefully prepared battleground.

As the first clash erupted, Reign moved with unparalleled speed and precision. His dual blades cut through the darkness, striking with deadly accuracy. Athlaston and his men followed suit, engaging the enemy in a coordinated assault.

The element of surprise worked in their favor. The Elais Kingdom forces, expecting an unprepared target, found themselves caught off guard. The night echoed with the clash of weapons, magical incantations, and the fierce determination of warriors.

Athlaston, inspired by Reign's prowess, led his men with renewed vigor. The tide of battle turned, and the Irason Kingdom forces gained the upper hand. The traitors within their ranks had underestimated the unity and resilience of their people.

As the last echoes of battle faded, the surviving Elais Kingdom forces retreated into the darkness, defeated and demoralized. Athlaston's group stood victorious, a testament to their strength and the unexpected alliance forged with Reign.

The night, once filled with uncertainty, now carried the weight of a hard-fought triumph. The Irason Kingdom, though scarred by internal betrayal, had proven its resilience. Reign, standing amidst the aftermath of the battle, felt a sense of accomplishment.

Athlaston approached Reign, gratitude in his eyes. "Reign, you've proven yourself more than an ally. You're a true friend to the Irason Kingdom. We will not forget your deeds this night."

"Thank you, but you should save that for later, this was not all of them … this group, they were simply too weak."

"How many men did you lose?" Reign asked Athlaston who glanced back and did a quick check.

"Two guys."

"Dammit, they used our own bait to bait us, get ready to battle!" Reign suddenly shouted as he sensed multiple mana signatures, as well as souls around them.

"Defensive positions, we have already been surrounded!"