Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 — After the Ash

Dusky gold washed over Mumbai as the returning squad passed beneath the great steel gates. Armor scuffed and cloaks ragged, they bore heavy packs—some laden with salvage, some missing the weight of those who would never return. The scant line of civilians at the gates offered a silent reception: reverent, hungry for reassurance, or desperate for news of loved ones.Krisan, breath still ragged from exertion, ducked through the gap before it closed. Halric limped beside him, bandages hugging his torn sleeve, while Maren's gryphon, bleeding from its wing, lowed plaintively despite its rider's boisterous laughter.Jiya was there to meet them—her voice even, a blade wrapped in calm. "We brought the relics back. That's what matters." She glanced at the wounded, eyes lingering for a heartbeat on those who limped or needed support.Krisan's gaze drifted beyond her, watching young Awokened file past—faces that looked almost too young to have seen the things they now carried inside. Sona moved through them, all quiet focus: a pouch of herbs in one hand, warm murmur of healing in the other. When a boy staggered, she caught him as though it were both the smallest and greatest act.From the fortress steps, Guildmaster Aditya Roy approached—the courtyard fell to a hush beneath his presence. His gaze swept the weary raiders, then fell to a ledgerman waiting stoically."Casualties?" Aditya asked low."Five of the lower-tier, Guildmaster. Three more missing—presumed dead or trapped. We recovered two relic shards and a map fragment," the man said, voice quavering despite himself. "Goblins have outposts, farther north than expected."Aditya's jaw set, but he nodded. His eyes flicked to his children—Jiya, Krisan, Riya, all clustered near the survivors—and then to the rest of the squad. "You did what Tempest does best—you held the line. Take time for the wounded. Prepare full reports. Nothing gets overlooked. All lives matter."An ember of tired pride ran through the ranks. As darkness fell, braziers were kindled, steam and smoke curling from communal pots. Names were whispered for the fallen, Tempest's cloth wrapped around them with careful hands. Some raiders lingered, sharing strained laughter, or simply sitting together in the dimming light.Krisan, exhausted but unable to settle, found respite with the others. Halric laid a hand on his shoulder. "You held the line when it counted," he said. Praise from Halric was rare—a greater balm than rest.An hour later, the war room's low table overflowed with maps, scavenged relics, and scribbled notes. Aditya sat at the head, senior officers assembled around him, their voices low but focused."Tier-four rift cleared," Aditya began, his tone even but eyes shadowed. "We lost people, but we gained ground. The scouts found something else." He slid the map fragment forward—scribbled mountain passes, red dots near the eastern coast.Rahul the archer leaned in. "Those outposts—they're too organized. Goblins used traps we've only seen from seasoned fighters. They're learning from someone."Jiya nodded. "Their coordination in the canyon wasn't chance. They lured, retreated, baited. We can't ignore it."Maren, still smelling of beast sweat and ash, tapped the map. "We need defenses. Train the new tiers—if even the lesser breeds coordinate, losses will mount."Another officer projected guild intelligence: spikes in energy across the Far East. "It's not a rift yet, but if this continues—"Aditya's features hardened. "We can't chase every surge. First, we defend Mumbai and our western approach. The greatest risk is closer. Scouts spotted orc concentrations in the eastern lowlands. If they consolidate, disaster follows."A hush. The distinction clear—rifts flare, can be closed, but a disaster zone, where monsters recruit and thrive, grows wild. That meant trouble beyond the reach of a single raid.Later, Krisan found Riya at the outer wall, staring at the harbor lights. She tugged her shawl tighter, eyes shining with worry and hope."You were fast," Riya said softly. "You stood between the others and the wolves."Krisan sat beside her, knuckles still white. "So did you. We all did.""Do you think orcs will come here?" she whispered.He looked at the horizon, a thin wisp of smoke curling upward. "If they do, we'll make them pay for every inch."Riya exhaled, grounding herself in his words. For now, Mumbai had Tempest. And Tempest had those willing to fight—to stand in that breach until the storm passed.Above the city, rift energy pulsed. While leaders conferred and mourned, new challenges were gathering—some far, some near, and some, perhaps, already in their midst.