The next morning, everything felt sharper.
The Crescent Vale warriors were still at the border, shadows moving among the trees, testing us. They hadn’t attacked, but their presence was like a heavy weight pressing on my chest.
Jax, Zack, Hazel, and I trained again, practicing coordinated strikes, defensive maneuvers, and tactical retreats. Each movement was precise, deliberate. Each decision mattered.
“They’re learning us.” Zack said, watching from the ridge. “They want to know how we respond before they act. Watch your angles, stay alert.”
Hazel pointed to a cluster of trees near the border. “That group over there? They’re sending scouts. They’re small, fast, and quiet. They’ll move closer if we make a mistake.”
I swallowed hard. “How far will they go?”
Jax’s jaw tightened. “Far eno
