Ascension of the Mortal God

Chapter 29: The Raid Begins

The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of burning torches and cold steel. Within Raventhorn Keep, preparations for their first major strike were well underway. Kael stood in the war room, his eyes fixed on the map before him.

Selene, Darius, and Varian stood beside him, studying the key locations they had identified. The gods' supply lines ran through several villages, but one in particular—Eldermere—stood out.

"This is their primary supply point for the region," Selene explained. "If we strike here, we cut off their reinforcements and weaken their control."

Kael nodded. "How heavily guarded?"

Varian tapped the map. "Not as much as their war camps, but still enough to be a problem. A dozen divine warriors, maybe more. And they won't be pushovers."

Darius grinned. "Then we take them by surprise."

Kael looked at them all, determination burning in his gaze. "This will be the first true battle of our rebellion. We need to make it count."

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The Raid Begins

Under the cover of darkness, Kael led a strike force toward Eldermere. The village lay nestled in a valley, its main roads patrolled by armored warriors bearing the gods' insignia. Wooden supply carts stood in neat rows, filled with weapons, food, and medicine—everything the gods' forces needed to sustain their hold over the region.

Kael signaled for his warriors to spread out. Darius and his best fighters prepared to ambush the guards at the entrance, while Selene and her scouts crept along the rooftops, ready to eliminate sentries.

Varian moved like a shadow, his dagger drawn. He whispered to Kael, "Once we start, we have to finish fast. If even one escapes, they'll send an army."

Kael exhaled. "Then we leave no one alive."

With a nod, he raised his hand—the signal to attack.

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Battle in the Dark

The first blow came swift. Darius barreled into the front guards, his greatsword cleaving through armor as his warriors struck with deadly precision. The divine warriors barely had time to react before arrows from Selene's scouts found their marks, piercing their throats and eyes.

Kael moved through the chaos like a storm, cutting down enemy after enemy. He met the first divine warrior head-on, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. Unlike the bandits he had fought before, these soldiers were disciplined, skilled—but Kael was stronger. With a precise strike, he drove his sword through his enemy's chest, twisting it before pulling free.

More warriors poured from the village center, rallying to defend their supplies. A horn sounded—an alarm.

"Kill them before they escape!" Kael shouted.

Selene's blades flashed as she intercepted a fleeing soldier, silencing him before he could reach the forest. Darius roared as he cut down two more, his blade dripping with divine blood.

Varian's dagger found the last remaining warrior, slitting his throat before he could call for aid. The battlefield fell silent.

The raid was over. Eldermere belonged to them.

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A New Threat

As Kael surveyed the burning remains of the enemy outpost, he knew this was only the beginning. They had struck the first blow, but now the gods would retaliate.

Varian knelt beside a fallen enemy and retrieved a scroll from his belt. His expression darkened as he read.

"This isn't good," he muttered, handing it to Kael.

Kael unrolled the parchment. It was a message from the gods' war council.

"A rebellion stirs. The heretic must be crushed. The gods will descend."

Darius whistled. "Looks like we got their attention."

Kael clenched his fists. The war had truly begun.

To be continued…