As we rode back in silence, the cities lights flickering in the distance like scattered stars against the horizon. Each of us was lost in thought, replaying the encounter with The Spider, trying to piece together the fragments of his cryptic words. His power had been more terrifying than any of us had anticipated, but more than that—it was the implications of what he had said that gnawed at me.
As we entered the palace, the weight of the world seemed to settle on our shoulders. The throne room was empty, a quiet reminder of the power we now held and the responsibilities that came with it.
Once in the council chamber, Rose finally broke the silence. “Well, that was a fun little chat with our creepy masked friend. What’s next? We can’t sit around waiting for The Spider’s ‘game’ to play out.”
Kai rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated. “We need an army. The Spider was right about one thing—there are other forces at play, and we’re going to need more than just the three of us to deal with whatever’s coming. If we’re going to protect this city, we need to strengthen our defenses.”
I nodded. “We need more soldiers. Loyal ones. People who believe in what we’re doing.”
Rose leaned back in her chair, a sly grin creeping across her face. “So, we call for recruits. A city-wide recruitment. Open it to anyone willing to fight for the city.”
Kai’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “That’s exactly what we need. We’ll hold a recruitment drive. But it can’t just be for soldiers. We need builders, healers, strategists—anyone who can contribute to the rebuilding effort.”
“We also need to offer something in return,” I added. “Something that will make people want to fight for us. Protection, supplies, the promise of a better future. We need to show them that joining us is the only way forward.”
Kai nodded thoughtfully. “Agreed. We’ll publicize it immediately. Posters, heralds in the streets—whatever it takes to get the word out.”
Rose stood up, already buzzing with energy. “I’ll handle the details. Leave the logistics to me. I’ll make sure the entire city knows we’re recruiting.”
Kai gave her a grateful smile. “Thanks, Rose. Let’s meet back here in a few hours to finalize the plan.”
As Rose left the chamber, Kai turned to me. “Luna, you’ll need to prepare the training grounds. We can’t just accept anyone—we need to make sure they’re ready for what’s coming.”
I gave a sharp nod. “I’ll handle it. We’ll make sure they’re prepared.”
A week had passed since our tense meeting with The Spider, and the City of Wolves had come alive with new purpose. Word had spread quickly about the recruitment drive, and the city buzzed with anticipation. The posters, the heralds, and the whispers in taverns had all worked in our favor. It seemed as if everyone in the city, from the lowest street urchins to seasoned warriors, had come to see what the new regime had to offer.
The sun had barely risen, casting a golden hue across the city, but the training grounds were already filled with hundreds of people. They came from all walks of life: blacksmiths and healers, carpenters and farmers, seasoned veterans and fresh-faced recruits. Some looked eager, while others seemed uncertain, but there was a shared energy among them—hope mixed with desperation. They wanted a future, and they were willing to fight for it.
Kai, Rose, and I stood on a raised platform at the edge of the training grounds, surveying the crowd. The sight of so many gathered to join our cause filled me with both pride and anxiety. This was what we had worked for, but it was also a reminder of the enormous responsibility we now carried.
Rose, dressed in her typical mix of combat gear and something unnecessarily stylish, leaned over with a grin. “Look at this! We could build an army in no time with this many people. I’m impressed.”
Kai, ever the pragmatist, nodded but remained serious. “Numbers aren’t everything. We need quality, not just quantity. Half of these people probably don’t know how to hold a sword properly.”
I scanned the faces in the crowd, my eyes picking out a few who looked like they had seen battle before. Weathered faces with hardened expressions, men and women who had survived past wars. But just as many had the wide-eyed look of those who had never faced real combat. They would need training—serious training—before they could become the kind of force we needed to protect the city.
“Let’s not waste time,” I said, stepping forward. “We need to see what they’re made of.”
Kai nodded, and we descended from the platform, walking through the crowd. As we moved among them, whispers followed us—the new generals, the leaders of the City of Wolves.
Rose, ever the charismatic one, hopped onto a nearby crate, addressing the crowd with a voice that carried across the field. “Alright, listen up! You’re here because you want to fight for the city, because you believe in what we’re building. But we’re not just handing out positions to anyone who shows up. You’ve got to prove yourselves.”
There were murmurs of agreement and some nervous glances, but most of the crowd stood firm, ready to face whatever challenge we threw their way.
Kai stepped forward next, his presence commanding immediate attention. “We’re going to split you into groups,” he said, his voice calm but authoritative. “Some of you will be tested in combat. Others in strategy, and some in building and supporting our forces. Everyone has a role to play. If you’re willing to fight for the City of Wolves, you’ll have to show us you’re ready.”
I could see the resolve in many faces, and in others, hesitation. But one thing was clear—no one was turning back now.
I called over a few of our seasoned veterans, soldiers who had fought alongside us during the siege. “Start separating them,” I instructed. “Warriors, strategists, builders, healers. I want them divided and ready for their trials.”
Rose clapped her hands, grinning as she watched the crowd begin to move. “This is going to be fun,” she said, hopping down from the crate and joining me.
“I hope so,” I muttered. “Because if we don’t find enough capable people, this is all for nothing.”
Kai had already moved toward the group of would-be warriors, his eyes sharp as he surveyed their numbers. He gestured for them to line up in front of the training grounds. I saw a few men and women step forward with confidence, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords or axes. They were the veterans, the ones who had seen combat before. Others looked nervous, clutching their makeshift weapons like they were holding them for the first time.
I turned to Rose. “We’ll need to assess them quickly. Start with basic drills, see who can hold their own. I’ll work with the strategists.”
Rose winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll weed out the pretenders.”
As Rose headed off, I moved to where the more scholarly types had gathered. A few older men and women stood in this group, along with several young faces eager to prove themselves. They were the thinkers, the planners—the ones who could win battles with their minds rather than their swords. We would need them just as much as the warriors.
“Alright,” I said, addressing the group. “We need strategists, people who can think ahead, plan our moves, and outsmart our enemies. If you’re here, it means you believe you can do that.”
A young woman with sharp eyes and an air of confidence stepped forward. “I’ve studied battle tactics since I could read. I’m ready to prove myself.”
I nodded, impressed with her resolve. “Good. Let’s see how you fare in a mock battle.”
I spent the next few hours running drills with the strategists, testing their knowledge of formations, resource management, and quick decision-making. Some surprised me with their ingenuity, while others faltered under pressure. But it was clear that among them were a few who could be valuable assets in the days to come.
Meanwhile, Rose had been testing the warriors in combat drills. The sound of swords clashing and shouts of effort filled the air as we pushed the recruits to their limits. Some stumbled, others excelled, but all of them fought with a fierce determination. This was more than just about survival for many of them—it was about proving their worth in a city that was struggling to rise from its ashes.
By midday, we had a good sense of who would make the cut and who needed more training. I stood with Kai and Rose, watching as the recruits caught their breath, their faces flushed with exertion.
“Well,” Rose said, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow, “we’ve got a decent crop here. Not all of them are ready to face an army, but with time, they could be.”
Kai nodded, his expression serious but hopeful. “They’ll need discipline. Training won’t be easy, but if they can endure it, we’ll have a force capable of defending the city.”
I looked out over the crowd, feeling a mixture of pride and responsibility. These people had answered our call, and now it was up to us to turn them into something more. The City of Wolves wasn’t just a name—it was an idea. A promise that we could rise from the ashes and be stronger than before.
“This is just the beginning,” I said, turning to Kai and Rose. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but we’re building something here. Something worth fighting for.”
Kai smiled, a rare expression of warmth crossing his face. “And we’ll be ready when the time comes.”
Rose grinned, punching me lightly on the shoulder. “Damn right we will. Let’s turn these people into wolves.”
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-To be Continued 13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9NxQwGxoZ
