Chapter 104

ARIEL’S POV

I made my way through the dense forest, following the path that led to our new camp. It was a secluded location, chosen for its strategic advantage and the added safety it provided.

We had to move swiftly to prevent Melvin and his men from tracking us down. The journey had been long and difficult, and the weight of the recent battle still lingered in the air.

As I approached the camp, Ralph emerged from the shadows to greet me. His eyes bore the fatigue of the battle and his clothes were torn in different places and covered with dirt and bloodstains.

"Ariel," he said, his voice laced with a mixture of relief and concern.

"I am glad you are here already. We have been setting up the camp, but it is still a work in progress. Some of the soldiers are still making their way here, and we are in the process of estimating the losses we suffered."

I nodded solemnly, the weight of those losses settling upon my heart like an impenetrable darkness. We are fighting against oppression