Deep Clearing – Oregon Forest. Time: 09:30 AM.

  The group is gathered in a circle. The map of the region is spread across the hood of an old jeep that Piro managed to hide; next to it, the rocket launchers sit in a crate. Solomon observes his pupils; he sees in them not just warriors, but the justice that the world of 2040 has forgotten.

  “Gun emptied the Sawmill,” says Henry, pointing to two strategic points. “He’s coming at us with everything he’s got toward the Route 97 canyon. He wants my blood, and I’m going to give him a trail to follow. But while he’s looking forward, we’re going to hit him from behind.”

  The Division of the Fives

  Henry looks at each of them, defining their roles:

  Group A (The Canyon Ambush):

  Leader: Henry Henrikson.

  Members: Kane Sterlow (Saws), Kol Valet (Axe), Elena Vesper (Hidden Blades), and Tara Gearheart (Shield).

  Objective: Lure Gun’s convoy into the kill zone, use the RPGs to destroy the convoy, and take out the majority of the 250 soldiers.

  Group B (The Heart Sabotage):

  Leader: Vane Zadeko.

  Members: Steve "Piro" (Fire), Beck Volter (Engineering), Mika Thorne (Naginata), and Leo Halkirk (Climber).

  Objective: Infiltrate the "empty" Sawmill, destroy the oil reserves, and rescue whatever is necessary.

  Solomon places a hand on Henry’s shoulder. “I’ll stay at the forward radio post on the southern slope. I’ll be your eyes and ears. Henry... remember what I’ve always said: the strength of an empire lies not in what it builds, but in what it fears to lose.”

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Henry nods and, before they depart, gives a solemn warning that silences the group.

  “One more thing. There is a person at the Sawmill who didn’t choose to be there. Freya.” Henry looks at Vane and Piro. “She’s the only one among them without sin. She’s a good person living in a nest of snakes. If Group B finds her there... do not treat her as an enemy. We are going to save her. Understood? And don’t forget, the heart of the Enforcers is their oil reserve—without that, Gun is nothing!”

  Group B pounds their fists against their chests in a sign of respect. They know that, for the Heretics, the life of one innocent is worth more than a thousand barrels of oil.

  The Roar in the Canyon (Group A)

  Gun’s convoy appears on the Route 97 horizon like a serpent of metal and smoke. Gun leads from the main jeep, standing up, clutching his Magnum. He is frantic.

  “SPEED UP!” Gun screams over the radio. “I want to see the forest burn if that’s what it takes to find that Brazilian rat!”

  What he doesn’t see is Henry on top of a rock formation, watching the approach. Below, Kane and Kol have the rocket launchers aimed at the highway.

  “They’ve entered the zone, Henry,” Kane whispers through the comms.

  “Wait for the signal...” Henry adjusts his brass knuckles. “Three... two... one... NOW!”

  BOOM!

  The shots blow up several Enforcer vehicles. Because they were driving so close together, they explode in a "fire chain," killing dozens of men. Gun’s jeep swerves sharply, narrowly escaping destruction. The Heretics leap from the rocks, falling directly onto the elite soldiers.

  The Silence of the Sawmill (Group B)

  While the sound of explosions echoes in the distance, the Sawmill looks like a ghost made of wood and iron. Group B approaches from the rear. Leo scales the walls in seconds, tossing ropes down for Mika and Vane.

  Beck runs to the tank control terminal. The smell of oil is thick. “If I open the return valves and Piro lights the fuse, this entire base becomes a torch in ten minutes,” Beck says, hands flying across the keyboard.

  “Do it,” says Vane, the wires of his steel whip already in hand. “Piro, prepare hell. Mika, Leo... check the upper floor. Find Freya before the fire starts.”

  The Encounter at the Top

  Freya is in the office, listening to the distant sound of explosions. She is packing a small bag; she intended to flee in the chaos. Suddenly, the door swings open.

  She cowers, expecting to see Mickey Trigger or a furious soldier. But the person who enters is Mika Thorne, her pink oak wood mask on and her Naginata in a guard stance.

  “You must be Freya,” Mika says, her calm voice filtered through the mask. “Henry sent us to get you.”

  Freya drops the bag, her heart racing. “Henry... he came back for me?”

  “He said you have no sin in this war.” Mika extends her hand. “But we need to go now. Your 'treasure' is about to be reduced to ash.”

  Back at the canyon, Gun is in a trance of fury. He fires his Magnum wildly at the Heretics moving through the fray. He sees Henry take down three men in a sequence of lethal parkour. Kane, with his saws, slits the throats of others, while Kol decapitates two Enforcers with his axe.

  “I’ve missed this,” Kol says, blood in his eyes. “Tell me about it,” Kane replies.

  “HENRY!” Gun roars, the zipper of his mask vibrating. “YOU STOLE MY ROCKETS! YOU STOLE MY GUARD! BUT YOU WILL NOT STEAL MY WORLD!”

  Henry stops on top of an overturned truck, his blue wood mask staring down the black leather mask. “The world was never yours, Gun. You were just holding it hostage.”

  At that moment, a massive column of black smoke rises on the horizon, coming from the direction of the Sawmill. The glow of the flames is visible even in the daylight.

  Gun turns his head. His eyes widen. His empire, his source of oil, the throne he promised to his "heir"... it’s all burning.

  End of Chapter