Alexia watched Erik cautiously peek around the corner while concealed behind a massive tree.
Erik's eyes were fixed on vehicles making their way through the forest.
His face appeared taut due to the deeply etched lines of concentration on his features.
The rumble of the engines became increasingly audible, and the ground began to vibrate due to the intensity.
Alexia took a few deep breaths as her heart raced in her chest, and she clenched her hands around the hilt of the weapon she was holding.
She had never before witnessed such a massive procession in her life.
Ava shifted her position next to her, turning her attention to Erik.
Beside her, Ava shifted, her gaze focused on Erik. She leaned in closer, her voice barely audible over the roar of the engines. "How many are there?" she asked, her tone laced with worry.
Erik didn't look away from the scene unfolding before them, his gaze steady. "At least a hundred vehicles," he replied, quiet but steady. "Each carrying about four men.
Ava's eyes widened as she processed the information and felt a shortness of breath.
One hundred vehicles indicated that they were outnumbered by a significant margin.
The fact that they were all moving in the same direction as them meant that the task became much more difficult.
Erik turned to face them; his expression was solemn. "They're heading towards the Lumisfalls," he informed them.
The news was like a punch to the gut. Their destination was swarming with Frantian soldiers. Suddenly, their mission seemed much more daunting than before.
Marcus's resolute voice was the first to break the tension-filled silence, and his eyes darted between Alexia and Erik as he spoke.
"What do we do now?" he inquired, his tone laced with determination.
Alexia's eyes narrowed as she considered their alternatives, her mind racing with thoughts of strategy and survival as the situation continued to deteriorate.
She whirled around to look at Marcus with a determined expression.
"We need a plan," she replied, her voice steady. "We can't afford to engage them head-on. We must find a way to navigate around them, find an alternate route to the Lumisfalls."
Erik nodded in agreement while his eyes swept the area around them as he considered their constrained options.
"Agreed," he continued, the conviction in his tone audible.
"We'll have to be stealthy, find a path that keeps us hidden from their sight. We can't risk a confrontation."
Ava interjected, her voice tinged with concern. "But what about Marcus?" she asked, glancing at the injured man who stood resolute but visibly weakened. "He didn't recuperate fully yet."
Marcus squared his shoulders, determination etched upon his face despite his injuries. "I'll manage," he assured them, his voice firm and resolute.
"We can't let this setback deter us. We've come too far." Alexia placed a hand on Marcus' shoulder, her touch reassuring.
"We'll support you every step of the way," she said, her voice filled with determination.
Erik's eyes flashed a steely resolve as he moved his gaze from one member of the group to another of the same group.
"Don't worry; we will try to avoid fighting as much as possible. Though, it may appear necessary at one point, so be ready," he proclaimed, his tone remaining unmoved throughout the statement.
Erik stepped forward while keeping his attention fixed on the line of vehicles receding into the distance.
His thoughts were racing with potential tactical approaches.
He turned to face his friends, the intent in his voice growing stronger by the second.
"Before we make any moves, we need to gather more information," he suggested, his tone steady and focused. "We should scout their camp, assess their numbers, and understand their positions."
Alexia gave a confident nod, her eyes gleaming with the will to succeed.
She affirmed, with a firm tone in her voice, "Agreed. Knowing their strength and layout will give us an advantage in planning our next steps."
"Let's follow them," she said, her gaze steady as she locked eyes with each group member.
Erik's brow furrowed as he considered Alexia's suggestion's potential benefits and drawbacks.
He was well aware of the inherent dangers of approaching the adversary more closely; however, their mission required knowledge and comprehension on their part.
Following a brief period of introspective reflection, he nodded his assent.
"If we want to succeed, we must gather as much information as possible. It won't be easy, but it's a risk we must take," Erik said, trying to convince the others since they were reluctant.
Ava and Garrett looked at each other with expressions of equal parts resolve and anxiety as they exchanged glances.
They were aware of the gravity of the situation and the risks that could be encountered in the future.
They were ready to follow their leader's instructions and nodded in agreement.
They moved stealthily into position, their steps quiet and organized as they followed in the footsteps of the convoy in the darkness.
Their perceptions honed in, making them more sensitive to even the most minute shifts in their surroundings.
The sound of snow crunching under their boots, the rustling of leaves, and the far-off hum of vehicles' engines all came together to create a symphony of caution.
They pushed through the physical strain hour after hour, their resolve remaining unshaken despite the task's difficulty.
Despite the Lumisgrove's otherworldly beauty being all around them, they focused on the goal of their mission.
They got closer and closer as time went on, both of their hearts thumping furiously in their chests.
They were getting closer and closer to the Lumisfalls as the sound of the rushing water grew louder, a constant reminder of the power and energy that were still to come.
They could see glimpses of the cascading waterfalls through the openings in the thick vegetation, which cast an ethereal glow that illuminated the surrounding area.
The scene was mesmerizing, but they couldn't let their focus wander because their mission required it.
Erik's sharp eyes combed over the landscape, looking for any advantage they could use, when he suddenly had a flash of recognition.
He turned his attention to a slender path that wound upward and veered off to the right of the waterfalls as it ascended.
Their route led to a natural perch that was situated at a higher elevation and could provide them with a more unobstructed view of their surroundings.
He stopped the group by signaling with a raised hand that they should wait.
As Erik continued to describe his discovery, the others quickly followed his lead and turned their attention to him.
"Look," he hushed, his voice carrying a tone that was a combination of eagerness and trepidation.
"There's a path over there that leads up to higher ground. We might be able to get a better view from up there."
Ava's eyebrows furrowed as the question piqued her interest.
"Do you think it's safe?" She asked with some uneasiness in her tone of voice.
Read 𝓁atest chapters at fr(e)ewebnov𝒆l.com Only