The fire was low.
Not because we were afraid of being seen—just because none of us felt like feeding it more than necessary. The barrier hummed softly around us, steady and familiar now, like breathing.
Kazim broke the silence first.
"We can't stay here forever."
No one argued.
Ren poked at the dirt with a stick. "Even if we train for years, the academies will keep growing. More people. More control."
Aira looked up. "So we hit them where it hurts."
Monisha shifted closer to the fire. "You mean supplies."
Kazim nodded. "Food. Materials. Power. Cut those, and even armies starve."
I exhaled slowly. "And the fastest way to do that… is summoners."
Monisha's hands tightened, but she didn't look away.
"They're the only ones who can open portals both ways," I continued. "Entry and exit. If we bring them here—quietly—the academies lose their transport routes."
"And we gain allies," Aira added.
Ren frowned. "Why summoners first? Why not blacksmiths?"
"Because blacksmiths need materials," Kazim said. "Summoners are the bridge. Without them, Academy Four and Five can't move food safely. Agriculture collapses. Nature controllers stop being used like tools."
Monisha swallowed. "They'll punish the ones left behind."
"That's why we don't leave them behind," I said.
Silence fell again.
Then Monisha spoke, barely above a whisper. "They won't trust us."
"They don't have to," Aira said gently. "Not at first."
Kazim leaned forward. "We don't storm in. We don't fight everyone. We extract. Small groups. Quiet routes. One portal at a time."
Ren nodded slowly. "Like relocation. Not rescue."
I looked at Monisha. "You open the door. We protect it."
Her eyes met mine. Fear flickered there—but something stronger pushed back.
"I can do it," she said. "Not all at once. But enough."
Aira smiled faintly. "That's all we need."
Kazim tapped his wrist map. "We already have two safe zones. Temporary bases. Enough space to hold people until we build something permanent."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "You planned that already?"
Kazim shrugged. "Just in case."
I couldn't help but smile.
"So," Ren said, "we save summoners, weaken supply lines, protect nature controllers, and build a foothold outside academy control."
Aira tilted her head. "Sounds impossible."
I stared into the fire. "Most important things are."
Monisha reached out,
"You all saved me," she said quietly. "It's their turn now."
The barrier hummed on.