We followed the road until we left Vailor behind. The movement of the city gradually faded, replaced by the constant sound of wind and footsteps on dry ground. It didn't take long for the environment to change completely.
Denser forests began to appear around us, interspersed with open areas. The kind of place ideal for ambushes.
"They'll be around here," said Rai'kanna, observing the terrain.
"I agree," I replied.
Lyannis walked ahead, alert. "Tracks start appearing from here onward."
Scarlett analyzed the ground. "Heavy movement."
Elara added: "Large group."
Vespera looked around, focused. "They don't hide well."
Liriel remained calm. "But they're dangerous together."
I kept advancing.
A few minutes later, the signs became clear. Deep marks in the soil, damaged trees, remains of improvised campfires.
"Confirmed," I said.
Lyannis smiled slightly. "Found them."
Rai'kanna adjusted her posture. "How many?"
Elara answered after analyzing. "More than twenty."
Scarlett added: "Maybe more."
Vespera said: "Recent movement."
Liriel looked at me. "Direct attack?"
I thought for a moment.
"No."
They all looked at me.
"We split up."
Lyannis raised an eyebrow. "Strategy, then."
"They fight as a group. If we charge in directly, they'll organize."
Rai'kanna nodded. "So we break their formation."
"Exactly."
Scarlett asked: "Roles?"
I looked at each of them.
"Lyannis, you go left. Intercept any attempts to escape."
She smiled. "Leave it to me."
"Rai'kanna, front line with me."
"Of course."
"Scarlett, cover and support."
"Understood."
"Elara, analysis and control."
"Executing."
"Vespera, movement and pressure."
"Perfect."
"Liriel…"
She looked at me attentively.
"Stay ready for magical support and healing."
She nodded. "Always."
I took a deep breath.
"Let's go."
We moved forward.
The orc camp wasn't far. As we approached, we could already hear heavy sounds, deep voices, constant movement.
They were confident.
That was a mistake.
I gave a signal.
And the attack began.
Lyannis disappeared to the side even before the first impact. Rai'kanna advanced beside me without hesitation.
The first orc barely had time to react.
My strike was direct.
Fast.
Precise.
He fell before understanding what happened.
Rai'kanna was already on the second, blocking a heavy attack and countering with enough force to bring it down.
"Movement to the right!" Vespera shouted.
She was already among them, moving quickly, destabilizing the group.
Scarlett kept her distance, eliminating targets with precision. Every strike was calculated.
Elara analyzed everything. "They're trying to reorganize!"
"Don't let them!" I replied.
Lyannis reappeared, intercepting two who were trying to retreat. "You're not going anywhere."
Liriel raised her hand, soft energy spreading. "Watch the flank!"
An attack came from behind, but it was intercepted before hitting anyone.
Their group began to react.
More orcs emerged.
More than expected.
Rai'kanna smiled slightly. "Even better."
"Focus," said Scarlett.
Elara added: "High number, but disorganized."
"Then end it quickly," I replied.
I advanced.
This time with more force.
The sword cut through the air with precision. Every movement was controlled. No waste.
One fell.
Another.
One more.
Vespera maintained constant pressure, preventing any coordinated counterattack.
Lyannis continued closing escape routes.
Scarlett eliminated any distant threats.
Rai'kanna held the line with me.
Elara guided the rhythm.
Liriel sustained everything.
They started falling back.
But it was already too late.
"Wrapping up," I said.
I moved into the center of the remaining group.
One final motion.
Silence.
The field went quiet.
Heavy breathing.
Fallen bodies.
The fight was over.
I looked around.
"Everyone okay?"
Lyannis answered first. "Easy."
Rai'kanna nodded. "No problems."
Scarlett: "No relevant damage."
Elara: "Operation successfully completed."
Vespera: "Clean execution."
Liriel smiled. "All good."
I nodded.
"Then let's collect."
The bodies slowly began to dissolve, leaving behind what truly mattered.
Magic stones.
Some valuable materials.
Lyannis picked one up and spun it between her fingers. "Not bad."
Rai'kanna gathered others. "Worth it."
Scarlett organized everything efficiently.
Elara counted.
Vespera helped with collection.
Liriel watched calmly.
After a few minutes, everything was ready.
"Let's go back."
The return journey was lighter.
No tension.
No rush.
The mission had been completed.
But more than that…
I felt it.
Control.
Precision.
Evolution.
I looked ahead as we walked.
This was just the beginning.
And there was still much more ahead.