Chapter 84: Shadows of Deception

After their encounter in the abandoned village, Padrino and his team made their way to the outskirts of the Galdros border fort. The air was thick with tension, and despite the early morning sun, an unsettling gloom seemed to hang over the landscape. The village had raised too many questions, and the high commander's cryptic words haunted Padrino's thoughts. What was Galdros planning? What was the secret the commander had died to protect?

As they neared the border fort, Padrino called for a halt. From their position atop a rocky hill, they could see the fort clearly—its tall stone walls imposing against the horizon, with Galdrosian flags fluttering in the cold wind. Soldiers patrolled the perimeter, but something felt off. The activity was too light for a border fort. Either Galdros was preparing for something massive elsewhere, or they were deliberately baiting an attack.

"We can't rush this," Padrino said, his voice low as he surveyed the area. "There's something we're missing. Galdros isn't showing their full hand."

Niko, crouched beside him, nodded in agreement. "It's quiet—too quiet. If they're holding back, there's a reason."

"We need more information," Sera said, her sharp eyes scanning the fort. "A direct attack would be suicide. If they're hiding something, we need to uncover it before they strike."

Padrino agreed. "We'll split into two groups. Sera and I will infiltrate the fort. Niko, you and Grendar will hold this position and keep an eye out for any incoming patrols. If something goes wrong, retreat to the fallback point and wait for my signal."

The team moved into position, with Sera and Padrino silently slipping through the rocky terrain. Sera's scouting skills were invaluable, guiding them through hidden paths and keeping them out of sight of the guards. The closer they got to the fort, the more Padrino's instincts screamed that something wasn't right. The patrols were too sparse, the defenses too lax.

They reached the outer wall, and with Sera's help, Padrino managed to scale it without being detected. Once inside, they stuck to the shadows, moving carefully through the narrow alleys between the barracks and the armory. The fort was eerily quiet. Most of the soldiers were inside, and the ones outside seemed distracted, as if waiting for something.

Padrino's heart pounded in his chest as they approached the central keep. This was where the commanders would be stationed, the place where he hoped to find answers. But just as they were about to enter, Sera pulled him back into the shadows.

"Wait," she whispered, her breath warm against his ear.

Padrino froze, watching as a group of soldiers passed by, escorting a figure in chains. At first glance, the figure looked like a prisoner, but as they drew closer, Padrino's eyes widened in recognition. The prisoner's face, though bruised and bloodied, was unmistakable.

"Darius," Padrino breathed, his heart skipping a beat. It was Darius, the former general of Earlshide who had vanished months ago after a failed mission against Galdros. His disappearance had been a mystery—until now.

"They've been holding him this whole time," Sera whispered. "He could know something."

Padrino nodded, his mind racing. If Darius had survived, he might hold valuable information about Galdros' plans. But rescuing him would be no small feat. The soldiers escorting him were elite guards, and they were leading him deeper into the keep.

"We need to follow them," Padrino whispered. "If we can get to Darius, he might be able to tell us what Galdros is planning."

Sera agreed, and they moved silently after the group, keeping a safe distance as they trailed them through the maze-like corridors of the fort. Eventually, the guards led Darius into a heavily guarded chamber. The doors closed behind them with a loud thud, leaving Padrino and Sera stranded outside.

"There's no way we can get through those doors unnoticed," Sera said, frustration evident in her voice.

Padrino's mind raced as he considered their options. They couldn't just leave Darius behind—he was too valuable, both as an ally and a source of information. But storming the chamber was out of the question.

"We'll wait for an opportunity," Padrino decided. "They have to move him again at some point. When they do, we strike."

For what felt like hours, Padrino and Sera waited in the shadows, their muscles tense and their senses alert. Every passing second felt like an eternity. The fort was alive with subtle activity, yet something remained unnervingly quiet, as though the entire place was holding its breath.

Finally, the doors to the chamber opened, and the guards reappeared, leading Darius out. He looked even more battered than before, his steps unsteady as he stumbled between his captors. Padrino's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, ready to strike.

But just as they moved to intercept the group, a figure appeared from the opposite corridor, blocking their path. It was a woman, dressed in the black-and-silver armor of a Galdros commander. Her eyes were cold, her expression unreadable, and she radiated a quiet menace that sent a chill down Padrino's spine.

"You've come a long way to die here, Penduko," she said, her voice like ice.

Padrino's blood ran cold. How did she know who he was? And worse—how long had they known he was inside the fort?

"Who are you?" Padrino asked, his voice steady despite the fear creeping into his veins.

The woman smiled, a cruel, calculating smile. "You don't need to know my name, Penduko. You're already too late. The storm has already begun."

Before Padrino could react, the woman raised her hand, and the guards surrounding Darius tightened their grip, dragging him away into the darkness. The doors slammed shut behind them, leaving Padrino and Sera standing in stunned silence.

"We have to get out of here," Sera urged, her voice sharp with urgency.

Padrino's mind raced, the weight of the situation crashing down on him. The woman's words echoed in his mind—"The storm has already begun." Whatever Galdros was planning, it was already in motion, and they had just walked into a trap.

With no time to waste, they retreated from the fort, their mission incomplete and their questions multiplying. As they slipped back into the shadows of the Galdrosian wilderness, Padrino's mind was already racing with new plans. He had underestimated the enemy, but now he knew the truth.

Galdros was far more dangerous than he had ever imagined, and the storm that was coming would test everything he had built.