**The Prison Ruins Deception**
After seeing Kayla off, Mias returned with five hundred Iron Claw riders to the destroyed prison on the border of the Fierce Claw Empire. The morning mist had not yet fully lifted; amid the broken walls of the ruins lingered the smell of gunpowder and blood. Molten metal dripped from severed rebar with a sizzling hiss. The mechanical warhorses of the Iron Claw riders stood silently on the periphery, the runes beneath their hooves glowing faint blue—like a host of silent iron specters.
Mias stood in the center of the ruins, flame spear in hand, eyes scanning the surroundings. He knew perfectly well that Grum—the second general of the Fierce Claw Empire—would never sit idly by after this "prison break." Given Grum's personality, he would come personally to inspect the situation. Therefore, Mias decided to fake Kayla's death, both to protect her and to mislead the enemy, buying time for her and her companions.
He turned to his adjutant and ordered in a low voice, "Find a beastman corpse roughly Kayla's size. Be quick." The adjutant nodded and took several riders to search the ruins. Soon after: "General, we found one." The adjutant's iron boots crushed a piece of slag as he dragged a charred corpse and stopped ten paces away. The torso was twisted at grotesque angles, the head burned beyond recognition—only the remaining pointed beastman ears proved the race. Mias nodded and personally supervised the forgery. He took an ancient magic crystal from his belt; sealed inside was a rare illusion-shape spell capable of altering a corpse's appearance. He pressed the crystal to the corpse's forehead and quietly chanted. Magic flowed like water into the body; the face gradually reshaped, fur turning to Kayla's signature silver ear tips, even war scars appearing on the skin that matched hers.
"Details determine success or failure," Mias murmured. From his breast pocket he drew the silver earring Kayla had given him years ago—the small gift he had returned to her on her sixteenth birthday. He carefully hung it on the corpse's ear. "Mix my blood into the bandages." He undid his bracer; the spear tip sliced his forearm, and blood dripped onto white linen. Beastman blood carried a sulfur scent and magical fluctuations similar to Kayla's own, perfectly mimicking the aura of her death. Then he ordered the Iron Claw riders to lay magical traps around the body—non-lethal, but enough to create the illusion of an explosion and prevent anyone from examining it too closely.
When everything was ready, Mias stood, gaze cold as he looked into the distance. He knew Grum would arrive soon.
Sure enough, the next morning a low mechanical roar came from the horizon. The convoy crushed scorched earth and raised clouds of dust. Grum's crystalline armor refracted razor-sharp light under the sun; the dark-red curse mark on his forehead flickered unnaturally. His adjutant Doomblade Shux followed close behind, curved swords still dripping with some miner's blood—their usual intimidation tactic. When he saw the prison reduced to ruins, a flicker of shock passed through his eyes, quickly hidden behind indifference. He stepped down from the transport, gaze sweeping the wreckage, outwardly feigning grief while inwardly surging with suspicion and unease.
"Mias, what is the meaning of this?" Grum's voice was low, carrying false concern. "How did the prison end up like this? Where is Kayla?"
Mias stepped forward, expression somber yet steady. "Grum, an explosion occurred last night. By the time we arrived, it was already ruins. During the search, we found Kayla's body." A barely detectable note of probing entered his tone. "It seems she did not survive the disaster."
A flash of surprise crossed Grum's eyes before calm returned. He narrowed them and said, "Where is the body? Let me see it."
Mias nodded and led Grum to the corpse. Grum's gaze fell upon the silver ear tips, the earring, the bloodstains. When he saw the silver ring glinting on the charred ear, his pupils suddenly contracted—he remembered that earring. It was the one Kayla's father had personally placed on her during her coming-of-age ceremony, a scene once praised among the empire's generals as a touching example of father-daughter affection. His heartbeat quickened slightly. Kayla's death would be both relief and threat to his plans—relief in losing a witness, threat because Fa remained missing and might carry away more secrets. He suppressed the turmoil within and sighed outwardly, "Such a pity. Kayla was a general of the empire. Her death is a great loss."
He paused, then probed, "What about the others? I heard there were several escapees…"
Mias felt his heart tighten but kept his face calm. "When the explosion happened, she was in a cell on the other side." He pointed to an abyss-like fissure in the distance. "The rescue team only recovered this hair ribbon." In his palm lay a tattered ribbon with charred edges—torn from Fa's prison uniform.
Shux suddenly leaned close to Grum's ear and whispered, "General, that girl knows about our crystal core smuggling and the blood elf collusion…" Before he could finish, Grum raised a hand to stop him. Staring into the shadows of the fissure, the curse mark suddenly burned fiercely—the blood pact with General Rok warning of danger.
Grum narrowed his eyes. Though doubts remained, as one of the five great generals of the Fierce Claw Empire he could not reveal too much emotion before Mias. He could only say politely, "In that case, please transport Kayla's remains back to the capital and report to His Majesty. I happen to be returning to the kingdom as well; I shall travel with you."
Mias nodded, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief. He knew the deception must continue all the way to the king before Grum would fully believe Kayla was dead.
Grum also nodded, turned back to his convoy, and continued toward the royal city with ten tons of crystal core ore. Mias watched his retreating back, a cold light flashing in his eyes. He knew this lie was only the beginning—the real battle still lay ahead.
**The Power Game of the Fierce Claw Empire**
The two men returned to the Fierce Claw Empire with the disguised corpse and went straight to the palace council hall. King Nuti Ursa sat upon the throne. After hearing Mias's report, his gaze fell upon the body, expression complex. He felt grief at Kayla's death, but years of rule had taught him to remain wary of everything. He was silent for a moment, then asked softly, "Mias, are you certain this is Kayla?"
Mias knelt on one knee, head lowered. "Your Majesty, the markings and items on the body undoubtedly belong to Kayla. I confirmed it personally." His tone was steady, yet hid a trace of tension.
Grum seized the chance to step forward, voice respectful but calculating. "Your Majesty, Kayla's death is a loss to the empire. The position of Fifth General cannot remain vacant long. I recommend filling it quickly. I nominate my adjutant Doomblade Shux—he is loyal, reliable, and more than capable."
Doomblade Shux was Grum's personally promoted confidant; years ago he had participated in crystal core smuggling and the enslavement of miners. Rough in appearance and sinister at heart, he was utterly loyal to Grum and a key piece in his military chessboard. This move was clearly meant to expand Grum's influence and tighten his grip on the empire's military power.
The king's gaze swept over Grum, a barely detectable coldness flickering in his eyes. He suddenly waved a hand. "Enough. The appointment of the Fifth General is my decision." His eyes passed over both men and finally settled on the earring of the charred corpse. "Mias, personally see to her burial in the Heroes' Cemetery. Grum, your transport convoy will reach the royal city in three hours—do not let even half a gram of crystal core ore go missing."
Grum's expression stiffened slightly, but he dared not say more and could only bow and withdraw. As he left the hall, he muttered to Shux beside him, "That old bastard still doesn't fully trust me. We must accelerate our plans."
Shux nodded, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Rest assured, General. The opportunity will come soon."
Grum gave a cold laugh, gaze turning to the distance. He knew Kayla's "death" was merely one step in his plan—the true game of power had only just begun. And Mias, standing not far away pretending to adjust his armor, took in every word.
**The Arduous Journey Through the Eclipse Mountains**
Meanwhile, after three days of detours, Fa and her team finally returned to Blazemelt City. They had taken rugged side paths, avoiding patrols of both the Fierce Claw Empire and the Steelforge Alliance. Three days of hard travel left everyone covered in dust and exhaustion, yet Kayla's wounds healed at an astonishing rate. As a beastman, her natural regeneration was formidable; the whip marks and burns that once covered her skin had mostly closed, leaving almost no trace, even the scabs on her arms flaking away to reveal healthy flesh.
On the first night they camped in a concealed mountain hollow, sitting around the campfire. Fa watched the dancing flames and said softly, "Kayla, your recovery is incredible. If we had that ability, we wouldn't worry so much in battle."
Kayla smiled and flexed her wrist; Thunderclaw glinted sharply in the firelight. "It's a beastman gift. When I was little and got hurt, my father always said, 'Wounds are a warrior's medals; healing is our pride.' But you humans have impressive willpower too—holding up under this kind of pressure is no small feat."
Arya sat beside Fa, gently holding her hand and using light magic to smooth a scrape on Fa's arm. "Kayla is right. We may not have beastman physiques, but we have each other—that is our strength." Her voice was warm and resolute, eyes full of care for Fa.
TISK was repairing his warhammer nearby and couldn't help chiming in, "Hey, don't forget dwarven endurance! This body of mine can stand beside a forge for three days straight. Kayla, mind if I study Thunderclaw? I'd love to see if I can incorporate some metal magic to boost its power."
Kayla raised an eyebrow and handed it over. "Sure, but don't break it. This was my father's treasure—more important than my own life."
TISK took Thunderclaw, eyes shining, carefully tracing the runes on the blade. "Mithril alloy with electrical conduction structure… a masterpiece! I promise only improvements, no messing it up."
Salsa's soul form drifted out of her mechanical cat shell, pale blue light illuminating her figure. She sat cross-legged in mid-air and teased, "TISK, maybe fix your own warhammer first. That crack from smashing the ventilation shaft last time is still there."
Rex calmly scanned the surroundings; nano-drones circled above his head, projecting a terrain map. "According to data, this area is temporarily safe. But we cannot linger—Grum's pursuers could appear at any moment."
At dawn the second day they pressed on, following a trail along the outer edge of the Eclipse Mountains. They passed several abandoned dwarven mines; TISK couldn't resist stopping to inspect them and found crystal core fragments inside. He picked one up and muttered, "These pits have been cleaned out by Grum's men. Look at these cut marks—definitely mechanical mining, terrifyingly efficient."
During a rest, Kayla examined a fragment by the fire. "High-grade crystal core residue. They're not just smuggling—they're stockpiling energy. I suspect they're using it to strengthen armaments… or researching that unknown power."
Arya lightly gripped her longbow, worry in her voice. "We must stop them. Otherwise the entire Muret continent will be in danger." Her fingers unconsciously brushed the wood-element crystal on the bowstring.
TISK clenched his warhammer, anger burning in his eyes. "We will avenge Uncle Durin. As long as I'm here, Grum will not succeed!" The runes on his hammer glowed faintly with heat.
Kayla nodded gratefully. "Thank you. I will give everything to protect everyone." She looked at Fa, trust now in her eyes.
On the evening of the third day they finally reached a hidden camp in the Eclipse Mountains—surrounded by peaks and dense forest, an ideal refuge. The team set up camp and gathered around the fire to share experiences and plans.
Fa spoke first. "These three days of detours have clarified our goal. Grum and Rok's conspiracy is far greater than we imagined—we need more allies. Kayla, Mias said General Ironwall Balg was your father's closest friend. Is he trustworthy?"
Kayla nodded, a trace of nostalgia in her eyes. "General Balg is a hard man, loyal to the empire like my father. He commands a hundred thousand beastman troops on the border—terrifying strength. If we can convince him to stand with us, we'll have a real chance against Grum."
TISK stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I hear Balg's legion is stationed at the border fortress, heavily guarded. We'll need a solid plan to reach him—we can't just charge in."
Salsa's soul form floated above the fire and said faintly, "When the time comes I can infiltrate the fortress and scout. Dark magic will let me slip past guards and locate Balg."
Rex analyzed coolly, "According to the map, the fortress is roughly two hundred kilometers from here, with three Fierce Claw Empire checkpoints along the way. Even bypassing them will take at least five days."
Kayla stood, Thunderclaw trembling lightly in her hand. "Whatever the case, we must act. Grum won't give us much time. I suggest we rest here one night and leave at first light tomorrow."
The team agreed unanimously and began detailed planning. They decided to split into two groups: Fa, Arya, Salsa, and Kayla would head to the border to find General Balg; TISK and Rex would remain on the outskirts of the Eclipse Mountains to gather more intelligence and seek support from Durin's old friends in the Steelforge Alliance.
Rex added calmly, "By the time you return, TISK and I will have mapped every corner of the deep Eclipse Mountains, including their secret bases. We will obtain evidence and expose their crimes to the high command of both the Fierce Claw Empire and the Steelforge Alliance." His mechanical arm emitted a soft hum as his fingertips projected a holographic map marking possible base locations.
Fa nodded. "Good plan. But infiltrating the bases will be extremely dangerous—you must prepare thoroughly." Her right eye—the Star Eye—flashed silver as it sensed distant energy fluctuations. Yet for justice and peace, they had to press forward.
**Conversation in the Mountain Cave**
Night deepened; the campfire crackled as the team sat in a circle, atmosphere warm and resolute. Fa gazed at the starry sky and said softly, "Along this journey we lost General Durin, but gained Kayla. Perhaps this is fate's arrangement."
Kayla stared into the flames, memories surfacing. "I grew up in the Fierce Claw Empire; my father was my hero. He taught me how to fight and how to protect our people. After he disappeared, I've been searching for the truth." Her voice was low with pain. "Uncle Mias was my father's best friend—he's like a second father to me. I believe he will help us."
Fa gently took Kayla's hand. "We will help you uncover the truth and expose Grum's crimes." Her hand was warm and firm; the Star Eye emitted a faint silver glow.
Arya smiled. "Kayla, you are very brave. We trust you, and we trust that we will succeed." Her gaze was gentle yet filled with unbreakable determination.
TISK clapped Kayla on the shoulder and said gruffly, "We dwarves have a saying: 'The hammer fears no forge-fire.' We'll be as tough as that hammer and smash every obstacle!" The runes on his warhammer glinted in the firelight.
Salsa's soul form swayed in the flames, pale blue eyes fixed on Kayla. "Darkness will eventually be driven away by light. We will bring hope to this world." Her voice was soft but carried undeniable strength.
Rex spoke calmly, "Emotion is a biological trait I cannot comprehend. But I will use my technology and intellect to help everyone complete the mission." His holographic projection flickered over the map, showing the optimal infiltration routes.
Kayla looked at these like-minded companions; warmth welled up in her heart. She knew that with their support, she was no longer alone. "Kate is still waiting for me at home," she whispered. "I cannot let him down."
Fa stood and gazed into the night beyond the cave. "We all need each other. For family, for justice—we must stand united." Her voice was firm; the Star Eye shone with resolute light.
**Plans for the Future**
During the rest period the team gathered around the map, finalized detailed action plans, and exchanged projection communication devices. Fa, Arya, Salsa, and Kayla would follow back roads to the border, avoiding Grum's spies. Along the way they would seek allies and other forces opposed to Grum.
TISK and Rex would remain in the Eclipse Mountains, exploring secret mines and gathering more evidence. They also planned to contact dwarves in the Steelforge Alliance—especially Durin's old friends—for support.
Fa looked at her companions and said gravely, "This fight will not be easy, but we each have our strengths. As long as we stay united, we will succeed."
Arya smiled and nodded. "Yes. We have Fa's Star Eye, my magic, Kayla's strength, TISK's craftsmanship, Salsa's stealth and intelligence, and Rex's high technology. That is our foundation."
Kayla gripped Thunderclaw, gaze resolute. "For family, for justice—we will never back down. Let us fight together!"
The team answered in unison, their voices echoing in their hearts. Their determination burned like the campfire, illuminating the path ahead.