Chapter 117: What the Heck Was That?!

Chapter 117: What the Heck Was That?!



Rourke couldn't shake the feeling of unease as he walked through the camp, the preparations around him a blur. His thoughts were consumed by the city of Ferm, or whatever it had become. He knew he had left Bren and Sykes on that hill, but the image of those soldiers, the strange weapons they carried, and the unnatural transformation of the city gnawed at him. The urge to return to the hill and assess the situation himself grew stronger with each passing minute.

After ensuring that the camp was as secure as possible, Rourke made his decision. He needed to get back to Bren and Sykes. Whatever was happening in Ferm required more than just a distant observation-it demanded a closer look, a deeper understanding.

"Rourke," one of the senior mercenaries called out, pulling him from his thoughts. "Everything's set. The men are ready."

Rourke nodded, his mind still half-focused on the task ahead. "Good. Keep everyone on high alert. I'm heading back to the hill where we scouted earlier. I need to check in with Bren and Sykes."

The mercenary raised an eyebrow but didn't question him. "Understood. We'll hold the fort here."

Without wasting another moment, Rourke turned and made his way out of the camp. The path back to the hill was familiar, the trees and undergrowth now a second home to him after years of scouting and ambushing in similar terrain.

As he neared the hill, the tension in his chest tightened. He could feel his heartbeat quicken with each step, his senses sharpening to the sounds around him. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, set his nerves on edge. This was no ordinary mission; they were dealing with something beyond their understanding.

Finally, Rourke reached the base of the hill. He crouched low, moving quietly as he ascended, his eyes scanning for any sign of Bren and Sykes. The climb was steep, but Rourke's years of experience made it seem effortless. When he reached the top, he spotted the two scouts exactly where he had left them, their faces tight with concentration as they kept watch over the city below.

"Rourke," Bren whispered as he approached, his voice laced with a mixture of relief and concern. "Did you report back to Garrick?"

"I've never seen anything like this," Bren said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Rourke couldn't tear his eyes away from the machine. The way it moved, the sound it made, everything about it was alien to him. It was clear that whatever force had taken over Ferm was far more advanced than anything he had ever encountered. This wasn't just a fortified city-it was a stronghold equipped with technology that was beyond his understanding.

"We need to get out of here," Sykes said urgently, his voice breaking the trance that had settled over them. "If they have flying machines like that, they could spot us any second."

Rourke nodded, finally snapping out of his daze. "You're right. We've seen enough. Let's move."

The three of them began to retreat down the hill, moving quickly but carefully to avoid drawing attention to themselves. The sound of the flying machine grew fainter as they descended, but the unease it had left in its wake lingered in Rourke's chest.

As they reached the cover of the trees at the base of the hill, Rourke paused to glance back at the city one last time. The flying machine was still circling above, a silent sentinel guarding the mysterious transformation of Ferm.

"Whatever we're dealing with," Rourke said quietly to his companions, "it's not something we can fight head-on. Bren, go back to the outpost and report what we have seen to Garrick. Tell him about the flying machine."

"I'll make sure he understands. What about you?"

"I'm staying here with Sykes," Rourke replied. "We'll keep an eye on things, see if we can gather more intel. The more we know, the better we can prepare."

Bren hesitated for a moment, clearly worried about leaving them behind, but he knew better than to argue. "Be careful," he said, before turning and disappearing into the trees, making his way back to the outpost.