stakes - gambling with gods.

Chapter 22 Onto The Real Mission.

I approached the balcony and pulled open the curtains, revealing the enchanting sight before me. I approached the balcony and pulled open the curtains, revealing the darkening sky that had already bid farewell to the sunset. The fading remnants of daylight gave way to a dusky hue, casting a serene atmosphere over the landscape.

From the balcony, I could observe the lively streets of the county below. Even in the absence of the vibrant colours of the sunset, the scene still held an undeniable charm. People continued to move about; their figures silhouetted against the dimly lit surroundings. The distant echoes of laughter, music, and conversation lingered in the air, creating a sense of energy and anticipation.

The night had descended, stepping back from the balcony, I made my way towards the bed. After changing into comfortable pyjamas, I settled into the soft embrace of the bed. Exhausted from the events of the day, I decided it was time to rest and rejuvenate. With a weary body and a mind filled with thoughts, I prepared myself for a much-needed sleep. The comfort of the bed embraced me as I lay down, grateful for the solace it provided.

As I closed my eyes, the events of the day replayed in my mind, intertwining with dreams and aspirations. The sounds of the bustling county slowly faded away, replaced by the gentle rhythm of my breathing. Each breath in, each breath out, carried me deeper into the realm of slumber.

Time seemed to blur as I surrendered to the embrace of sleep. In that realm, the boundaries of reality dissolved, and my mind ventured into a realm of its own creation. Dreams, memories, and subconscious desires intertwined, painting a vivid tapestry of experiences.

Throughout the night, I traversed different landscapes, encountered familiar faces, and embarked on fantastical adventures. The boundaries of the possible were pushed, and I revelled in the freedom of the dream world. Whether it was soaring through the skies, exploring uncharted territories, or engaging in captivating conversations, my mind found solace and inspiration in this ethereal realm.

As the night slowly gave way to the early morning hours, the dreams began to fade, blending seamlessly into the realm of wakefulness. With a sense of contentment, I gradually emerged from the depths of sleep, feeling revitalized. Gently stretching my limbs, I rose from the bed and prepared to face the new day.

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With the absence of any specific tasks or missions for the day, I found myself immersed in casual conversations with fellow soldiers. They shared stories of past adventures, engaged in friendly banter. It was a chance to forge bonds with my comrades and learn from their experiences.

In between conversations, I dedicated some time to honing my abilities. Though still in its early stages, my ability to manipulate the flexibility of metal showed promising potential. However, mastering it proved to be a challenging endeavor. As the day progressed, the sun painted the sky with its warm glow, casting long shadows across the training grounds. I relished in the feeling of progress, even if it was incremental.

I retired for the day, knowing that with consistent practice and dedication, my abilities would continue to evolve.

As I settled into a moment of solitude, I reflected on the day's interactions and training sessions.

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Diary,

The deadline for our vacation is drawing near, and we will soon embark on our mission. Yesterday, Lieutenant called for a meeting with the heads of different departments in our platoon, including myself as the assistant and the head of the scout department. It was a crucial gathering to discuss our upcoming mission and coordinate our efforts.

Speaking of my department, I have had the opportunity to get to know my team members a bit better over the past few days. Maria and Emily are both adept deck users. Maria possesses a card called Isolictus Infectious, which allows her to scan the vicinity for any foreign living beings taller than three feet. She explained that the penalties associated with the card decrease as she increases its level. On the other hand, Emily possesses a card called Relius Avorus, which summons a familiar of the dark element capable of phasing through walls and other solid objects.

In addition to Maria and Emily, we have David, a mage specializing in wind spells. His repertoire of wind-based magic is diverse and proves invaluable for sensing things in enclosed spaces. David can release pulses of wind that provide detailed structural information about closed areas such as caves or mazes. What sets him apart is his ability to use wind spells to enhance his own speed, surpassing even the swiftest bloodliners in our platoon.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that out of the trio, David is the only one who is married. He has a loving wife and three children - two daughters and a son - back home. It must be quite challenging for him to be away from his family during our missions, but he remains dedicated to his duties.

On the other hand, Emily is currently engaged and eagerly looking forward to her upcoming wedding. She often shares her excitement with the team and is always searching for ways to make her special day even more memorable.

As for Maria, she is still in search of a meaningful relationship and hopes to find a boyfriend who shares her interests and passions. She occasionally shares her experiences and anecdotes about her quest for love with us, making for interesting conversations during our downtime.

Damn it, I got sidetracked once again. It seems Charlotte's habit of procrastination has rubbed off on me. Focus, Zack, focus. So, yesterday's meeting revolved around our next mission. According to the information shared by Lieutenant, we have been assigned the task of hunting down a notorious individual named Kellan Stormrider . This troublemaker has been a constant threat to the empire's harmony, but recent intelligence suggests he has also forged connections with rebel factions.

Given the gravity of the situation and the need to keep a close eye on potential collaborators within larger organizations, it falls upon our platoon to apprehend Kellan Stormrider. Our mission objective is clear: capture him alive and deliver him into the custody of the empire within the next five years. Once in their hands, the empire will extract valuable information from him, shedding light on the extent of rebel involvement and potential threats to empire's stability.

This individual, whom we referred to as the "weak link," might held the potential key to uncovering hidden rebel hideouts and weakening their stronghold.

Intelligence reports indicated that he was seen with another rebel member. With his capture, we hoped to gain insights into their strategies, supply chains, and even the identities of mid-ranking members. Such knowledge could prove invaluable in planning effective countermeasures and striking at the heart of their resistance.

Indeed, our mission went beyond the scope of our platoon alone. Lieutenant had informed us that we would be joining forces with another platoons, merging our skills and resources to enhance our chances of success. The collaboration between the platoons was essential, given the significance of our objective.

Lieutenant's interest in gathering information about Hancock Adlam and his gang was directly linked to this larger strategy. Hancock was a subordinate of Kellan Stormrider. It was believed that by capturing Hancock, we could gain access to valuable insights and potentially locate Kellan Stormrider himself.

The stakes were high, and competition among the platoons was fierce. Lieutenant had emphasized that the platoon that managed to reach, or uncover Kellan Stormrider's whereabouts would be rewarded the most. This incentive added an extra layer of urgency and motivation to our mission, fuelling our determination to outperform the other platoon.

Until my next entry,

Zack.