The journey back to the city was tense, the group maintaining a tight formation as they moved through the dense, twisted terrain. Astra kept a wary eye on the remaining prisoners, while Kalem and Serka led the way, with Onyx walking in the center as a moving barrier.
"Anything new on the relay device?" Serka asked, glancing back at Astra, who had the orb safely wrapped in cloth.
"Not yet. We can't risk trying to activate it without knowing what it might trigger. I'll let the city's analysts deal with it," Astra replied.
Kalem kept his focus on the path ahead. The forest seemed darker than usual, the trees almost leaning in as if trying to listen. "Think the parasites will pursue us?"
Astra shook her head. "Unlikely. They seem more focused on spreading than following. But we can't be too careful. Stay alert."
Onyx's ears flicked back, and Kalem tensed, but nothing came. The bull seemed restless, but then again, they all were. The Corvine prisoners trudged along in silence, the horror of seeing one of their own turn into a parasite still fresh in their minds.
Serka walked beside one of the Corvines, a younger man with a bandaged arm. "Why throw your lives away like this?" she asked, voice low but pointed.
The man didn't meet her eyes. "We... didn't know. They told us it would be a quick strike. Hit the scouts, secure the supplies, and regroup. No one said anything about parasites."
Kalem glanced over his shoulder. "You really didn't know? Or are you just trying to save your skin now that it backfired?"
The man shook his head. "Look, I'm not part of the Syndicate. I'm just a soldier. We thought we were helping our people... not spreading some damned plague."
Astra seemed to consider this, but her face remained hard. "Ignorance doesn't excuse your actions. The city will decide your fate."
The path widened as they reached a familiar clearing, signaling they were getting close to the city outskirts. Astra signaled for a halt, and the group took a moment to catch their breath.
"We'll set up a temporary camp here and send a runner ahead to inform the city of the situation," Astra ordered. "We can't risk taking these prisoners straight in, not until we're sure they're not infected."
Kalem started gathering firewood, while Serka kept watch. Onyx settled down, keeping a wary eye on the captives. Astra pulled out a map, tracing their route. "If they've been marking supply routes like this, it means they're planning coordinated strikes. The Syndicate wants to destabilize our logistics."
Kalem frowned. "Wouldn't that just make everyone more desperate? People might start hoarding supplies, causing chaos even without direct attacks."
"Precisely," Astra said. "They don't just want to destroy us—they want us to destroy ourselves."
One of the other soldiers approached. "Captain, we've spotted a few crows circling just past the tree line. Could be nothing, but..."
Astra stiffened. "Crows often follow the aftermath of battles. Keep an eye out."
Kalem turned to Serka. "Do you think it's coincidence? Or are they using crows as scouts?"
Serka shrugged. "Could be either. Or both. The Syndicate seems crafty enough to use every resource available."
As the group settled into a cautious rest, Astra pulled Kalem aside. "You handled yourself well back there," she said.
Kalem gave a modest shrug. "Just doing my part. Onyx did most of the work."
Astra smiled faintly. "It's good to see you're not too proud to give credit. I can't say the same for some of my own men."
Before Kalem could respond, Onyx suddenly lifted his head, ears erect. A low growl rumbled from his throat.
Serka noticed instantly. "Trouble?"
Kalem patted Onyx's side, signaling caution. A moment later, a scout emerged from the shadows, breathing heavily. "Captain! There's movement up ahead. Looks like another group approaching fast."
Astra signaled everyone to take cover. "Positions, now!"
The soldiers scattered, using trees and rocks for cover. Astra raised her hand, ready to signal an attack if necessary. Moments later, the figures emerged from the woods—Lunarian soldiers, their armor marked with the city's emblem.
Astra relaxed slightly, signaling the all-clear. The Lunarian captain approached, saluting. "We received word from Tharis. Command sent us to reinforce and secure the prisoners."
Astra nodded. "Good timing. We've had more trouble than expected."
The Lunarian captain eyed the prisoners with disdain. "Syndicate, huh? We've been dealing with small groups like this for weeks. Never seen them use parasites before."
Kalem exchanged a look with Serka. "If they're increasing their frequency, it might mean they're preparing for a larger assault."
Astra rubbed her temples. "We need to get back to the city and report everything. Leave a few men here to secure the perimeter. We'll take the prisoners to the isolated holding area."
The Lunarians split up, some staying behind while others joined Astra's unit for the final leg of the journey. Kalem felt a knot in his stomach loosening—reinforcements meant they weren't alone in this.
As they moved out, Serka walked beside Kalem, keeping her voice low. "You think the Syndicate's desperate, or just getting started?"
Kalem thought about it. "Hard to say. If they've been planning this for weeks, it's more likely they're just beginning. They might be testing how we react."
Serka glanced at the prisoners, who shuffled along silently. "Testing us with lives on the line... I hate it."
"That's war," Kalem muttered. "You don't get to choose how your enemy fights."
Astra overheard and looked back at them. "But we do get to choose how we respond. And that's why we're taking every precaution. If the Syndicate wants to see us falter, we'll make them regret it."
Onyx snorted, as if in agreement, and Kalem couldn't help but smile despite the grim situation. The city walls were just visible through the thinning trees, the sight filling him with a sense of relief.
As they approached the isolated holding area outside the city, Astra instructed the guards to keep the prisoners under watch. "No one gets close without clearance. If any of them start showing symptoms, don't hesitate to put them down."
Kalem didn't envy the guards. The thought of one of those prisoners suddenly erupting into a parasite abomination was enough to make his skin crawl.
"Guess we made it back," Serka said, wiping sweat from her brow.
Kalem gave a tired nod. "But it doesn't feel like a victory. Feels more like the calm before the storm."
Astra agreed. "We're not out of danger yet. The city needs to prepare for the possibility of a coordinated attack. And if the Syndicate's goal is to throw us into chaos, we'll need every able-bodied soldier on high alert."
With the prisoners secured and the report delivered, Kalem felt the tension in his shoulders ease just a bit. Onyx nudged his arm, as if reminding him to rest, but Kalem knew his work wasn't done.
"Come on," Serka said, pulling him along. "Let's get something to eat before we collapse. You too, Onyx."
As they made their way to the barracks, Kalem couldn't shake the feeling that the Syndicate's moves were just the opening act. Whatever was coming next would test them all, and Kalem knew he had to be ready.