Carlos and Solomon followed the young man, who eagerly led them toward the supposed stronghold of the first rebels. The night air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant crackle of torches from the village guard posts. The trio moved carefully, avoiding patrols as they snuck past the outskirts.

Before they left, Carlos had ensured the safety of Jamie and the others. His father and father-in-law had taken charge, reassuring everyone that they would keep the gathering secret and secure. Jamie had looked concerned but nodded in understanding when Carlos promised he’d return with reinforcements.

As they ventured deeper into the wilderness, Solomon remained quiet, his thoughts lingering on what the young man had said earlier—about their leader being a "witch" and able to use magic. Carlos dismissed it as the boy exaggerating, but for Solomon, the word "magic" brought back memories of Antarctica. The elves. The war. The things that shouldn’t exist but did.

Carlos, on the other hand, was more amused than worried.

“So, kid,” Carlos said, smirking as he stepped over a fallen branch, “what makes you think your leader is better than me? I was Esteban’s best man before I turned against him. Can she fight like me?”

The young man grinned in the darkness. “She doesn’t need to fight. She’s... different.”

Carlos raised an eyebrow. “Different how?”

The young man hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “She’s like a witch.”

Carlos chuckled. “Oh, come on. Magic isn’t real.”

Solomon, who had been listening silently, frowned. “You sure about that?”

Carlos stopped laughing. He knew exactly what Solomon meant. The elves in Antarctica had proven that magic did exist, and if this so-called leader was truly capable of using it…

Carlos narrowed his eyes. “Is your leader even human?”

The young man looked confused. “Of course, she’s human! But she’s special. You'll see.”

Their journey continued, taking them through dense forest, rocky trails, and even an abandoned mine tunnel that had long been forgotten by the village. The path was difficult, but the young man navigated it with confidence, leading them closer to the heart of the rebellion.

As they walked, Carlos began to notice signs of habitation—footprints in the dirt, remnants of old fires, and even makeshift traps set along the trails. These rebels had been hiding for a long time.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they arrived.

A large, fortified cavern lay before them, hidden behind a waterfall that cascaded from the mountain above. The entrance was guarded by a handful of armed men and women, their weapons crude but well-maintained. At the sight of the young man, the guards lowered their weapons but remained wary of Carlos and Solomon.

One of the guards, an older man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward. “Who are they?”

The young man stood tall. “They’re here to meet her.”

A murmur ran through the guards, and after a tense moment, the scarred man nodded. “Follow me.”

Carlos and Solomon exchanged glances before stepping inside.

The cavern was more than just a hideout—it was a full-fledged base. Makeshift homes had been built within the stone walls, fires crackled in the center, and men, women, and even children moved about with purpose. These were not just fighters. These were families.

And at the heart of it all, standing with an air of quiet authority, was her.

She was young—perhaps in her early twenties—with long dark hair that shimmered strangely in the firelight. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, immediately locked onto Carlos and Solomon as they approached.

Carlos had met many leaders in his life. He had served under Esteban, had fought alongside hardened warriors. But there was something about her presence that made even him hesitate.

The young man who had led them knelt before her and spoke with deep respect.

“My lady, I have brought them.”

She regarded Carlos and Solomon with an unreadable expression before finally speaking.

“I know who you are,” she said, her voice smooth yet firm. “And I know why you’re here.”

Carlos smirked. “Then I guess we can skip introductions.”

The woman’s lips curled slightly, as if amused. “You want to overthrow Esteban. You want to use the village defenses to hold off his forces. But you’re missing one thing.”

Carlos raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”

She stepped forward, standing only inches away from him.

“You need me.”

For the first time in a long while, Carlos found himself at a loss for words.

Solomon, however, spoke up. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

“You said you could use magic.”

The woman’s eyes flickered toward him.

“Yes,” she said simply.

Carlos inhaled sharply. “Prove it.”

A silence settled over the cavern as the woman raised her hand. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a flick of her wrist, the torches around them flared with blue fire. Shadows danced unnaturally along the stone walls, and a sudden chill filled the air.

Carlos clenched his fists. He had hoped—prayed—that she was just a fraud. That this was all smoke and mirrors. But now, seeing it with his own eyes…

The woman lowered her hand, the flames returning to their natural color.

“I don’t expect you to trust me yet,” she said. “But if you want to win, if you want to survive… then you’ll need my magic.”

Carlos exhaled slowly, his mind racing.

The war against Esteban had just taken an unexpected turn.

---

Meanwhile – Victoria’s Convoy Under Attack

A deafening explosion ripped through the convoy, sending a wave of fire and shrapnel into the night sky. The lead vehicle had been hit first, its armored frame crumpled from the force of the blast. The target of the attack, however, was the prisoner transport—carrying none other than the surrendered General Esteban and his men.

Victoria gritted her teeth as she scanned the chaos. The attack had damaged their communication systems, cutting them off from headquarters. She had suspected that diplomacy with the SEALs and the CIA might not work, and this confirmed her fears—someone didn't want a peaceful resolution. If the SEALs had truly turned against them, their base might already be destroyed. The alternative? They had sided with the Navy, leaving Victoria and her forces stranded in enemy territory.

Gritting her teeth, she activated the emergency protocols.

“Deploy the robotic dog unit. Track down the attacker,” she ordered coldly.

Within moments, the mechanical hounds, sleek and deadly, sprang into motion. Their reinforced titanium bodies allowed them to move effortlessly over the wreckage as their sensor arrays locked onto the fleeing assailant. The convoy's headlights flickered in the smoke, casting eerie shadows as the machines vanished into the darkness in pursuit of their target—Ryan.

Behind her, a gruff chuckle interrupted her thoughts.

“You look troubled, beautiful lady.”

Victoria turned to see Esteban, arms still bound but wearing an infuriating smirk. The man had the audacity to be amused even while being transported as a prisoner.

She sighed. “Not in the mood for jokes, General.”

“Neither am I,” Esteban mused. “But from the looks of things, you don’t have a lot of options. I assume this isn’t how you expected your night to go?”

Victoria crossed her arms. “No, but I can adapt.”

Esteban smirked. “Then adapt. You need men, supplies, and a safe location.” He leaned slightly closer. “I still control a village. We go there, and you’ll have everything you need.”

Victoria studied him carefully. Trusting Esteban was a risk. But right now, it might be the only choice she had.

She exhaled sharply and nodded.

“Fine. We go to your village.”