The harsh sun bore down on the deployment as they marched along the worn dirt path, their armor glinting under the light. A row of supply carriages trailed behind them, wheels creaking as they rolled over uneven ground. The atmosphere was tense but measured—it was a routine mission, but in Gehenna, even the simplest of tasks could turn into a fight for survival.
Kalem sat atop his cart, reins in hand, while Onyx, his massive black bull, trudged forward with unwavering strength. His cart stood out from the others—smaller, leaner, built for speed and maneuverability rather than bulk transport.
Garron, walking beside him, gave the cart a skeptical look before grunting. "Why the hell is your cart only able to fit one person in the driver's seat?"
Kalem adjusted his grip on the reins and deadpanned, "Because it's a one-person cart."
Garron blinked, then let out a deep sigh. "Smartass."
Kalem smirked slightly but didn't respond. He was used to these kinds of remarks by now.
Mission Objectives
Today's mission had two parts:
Sweep the area near one of the smaller outposts for signs of Abyssal activity.Deliver supplies to the outpost and check in with the stationed forces.
It sounded simple enough, but Kalem knew better than to take anything at face value.
Their route took them dangerously close to one of the less stable sectors of the Maw, where past incursions had been particularly vicious. Garron had already warned them to stay alert—the last thing they needed was an ambush.
Kalem used the steady rhythm of Onyx's movement to go over his gear. His weapons were ready—his reforged chain sickle gleamed under the sunlight, the newly inscribed runes faintly pulsing with stored mana. His modified longsword rested against the side of the cart, the grip worn in from his frequent use.
Everything was in place.
Still, a nagging thought remained in his mind.
"If something does go wrong, will my new runes hold up?"
He had tested them extensively in the forge, but battle was the true proving ground.
Hours passed as they advanced, the landscape shifting from open roads to rougher, rock-strewn terrain. The outpost was still a few hours away, and the mood among the soldiers had become more cautious.
Kalem took note of their surroundings—jagged cliffs, loose gravel, and dry shrubs. The perfect terrain for something to be watching them.
Then came the first sign of trouble.
A faint sound, almost imperceptible, drifted through the wind.
Kalem's fingers tightened on the reins.
"Did you hear that?" he muttered.
Garron, who had been walking beside him, narrowed his eyes. "Yeah… but it was faint."
Kalem glanced toward the back of the convoy. The other carriages were still moving steadily, their drivers oblivious to whatever had caught his attention.
That's when he saw it—movement in the distance, just beyond the ridge to their right.
Too far to make out details, but too precise to be random wind disturbance.
His instincts screamed at him.
"We might have company," Kalem muttered, reaching for his weapon.
Ambush
The first attack came fast—a blackened, skeletal beast burst from the ridge, leaping straight for one of the supply carts.
The driver barely had time to react before clawed hands tore through the wooden frame, sending bags of rations spilling onto the ground.
The entire convoy erupted into chaos.
"Defensive positions!" Garron bellowed. "Circle up!"
Kalem barely had time to steer Onyx to the side before another Abyssal creature lunged at him.
It was twisted, its body a grotesque fusion of bone and shadow, its jaw unhinged far beyond natural limits.
Kalem acted on instinct—the chain sickle snapped forward, its rune-etched blade catching the creature mid-leap. With a harsh pull, Kalem sent it crashing to the ground, where he drove his foot into its skull, shattering the brittle bone.
More of them were coming.
He could see half a dozen of them emerging from the ridge, their empty sockets glowing with an eerie blue fire.
"Protect the carts!" Garron barked as he hacked through an oncoming beast, his greatsword cleaving through corrupted flesh with brutal efficiency.
Kalem wasted no time. He switched grips, whirling his sickle in a wide arc, its enchanted edge slicing cleanly through another attacker.
But these things weren't mindless animals.
They adapted.
One of them dodged his swing at the last second, then lunged low, aiming for his legs.
Kalem barely managed to vault over it, landing atop his cart as it crashed into Onyx's side.
The black bull let out a furious bellow, its sheer size allowing it to shrug off the impact before goring the creature with its horns.
Kalem steadied himself. They needed to push back—fast.
Kalem exhaled sharply, gripping his sword. If they wanted a fight, he'd give them one.
"Resonance Blade Style—Rending Gale!"
With a single explosive step, he lunged forward, his sword a blur of steel as he unleashed a flurry of slashes. The air itself howled, his strikes carving through two creatures at once.
Behind him, Garron let out a booming laugh as he cut another beast in half. "You're finally showing off, huh?"
"Less talking, more killing," Kalem shot back, shifting back into a defensive stance.
The battle raged for several minutes, but the creatures, while ferocious, lacked coordination. Slowly, methodically, they whittled down their numbers.
The last few attempted to flee, but the archers on the rear carts picked them off before they could escape.
A tense silence followed.
Then Garron exhaled, resting his sword on his shoulder. "Well… that was fun."
Kalem rolled his shoulder, surveying the battlefield. The caravans were mostly intact, aside from some torn coverings and lost supplies. Onyx stood unscathed, snorting as he pawed at the ground.
"Let's keep moving," Kalem said. "Before more show up."
Garron nodded. "Agreed."
The deployment reformed ranks, and within minutes, they were back on the road.
But Kalem couldn't shake the feeling that this attack had been too calculated.
Something was stirring in the Maw.
And he had a feeling this was only the beginning.