The air was still thick with dust and fear as the villagers approached the Council's envoys. Slowly, voices began to rise with timid sincerity.
"Do you know who those bandits are?" Robert asked, looking at the old man who had spoken.
An uncomfortable silence filled the square. Everyone seemed to avoid each other's gaze. Finally, a weathered woman with a hardened look stepped forward.
"Yes... we know them. Too well," she said bitterly. "They were from here. From this very village."
"What?" Kairo asked, surprised.
"For years, they lived just like the rest of us," the old man added, lowering his eyes. "But they got tired. Tired of having so little, of following rules, of being oppressed by hunger. They started gathering, seeking power, spreading fear. They said they deserved more... and forced us to work three times as hard so they could live better."
"They killed anyone who stood against them," another villager added. "Elders, youths, even some of their old friends. They showed no mercy."
Racher clenched his teeth. It all made sense now: they weren't just bandits. They were traitors, corrupted by power.
"Who leads them?" Robert asked.
A murmur ran through the crowd. Finally, someone uttered the name everyone feared.
"Trid," said the old man. "He used to be a blacksmith. Strong, quiet… but ambitious. Now he's more beast than man. No one dares to look him in the eye."
Kairo memorized the name with a mix of anger and determination.
"Where are they hiding?" Racher asked.
"They've set up camp in the ruins of the old fort, west of the valley," said the same woman. "From there, they control everything. They have sentries and traps. Getting there won't be easy."
"It doesn't have to be easy," Racher growled. "It just has to work."
The villagers fell silent for a few seconds. Then, one of them—a young man with a tired expression—stepped forward.
"We hope you come back alive," he said sincerely. "We don't want to lose more people. But if anyone can face them… it's you."
"Thank you," Robert replied, looking at them all. "We won't promise miracles, but we'll do what needs to be done."
Without further delay, the trio set out.
They crossed the valley through side paths, avoiding open roads. Kairo felt the tension in his back, as if the very air was warning them of the danger ahead. Finally, from a rocky hilltop, they spotted the ruins of the fort.
It was more decayed than they had expected, but still had high walls and a basic defensive structure. The improvised tents inside the compound showed the group had made it their home. In plain sight, they counted at least twenty people—though they knew there were likely more.
"Too many for a direct assault," Robert murmured.
"That's not the plan," Racher replied. "We'll take out small groups. One by one. The more chaos we create, the more nervous they'll get. That's our advantage."
Kairo adjusted his visor. In the distance, four bandits were separating from the rest, walking down a side path—probably on patrol or looking for rest.
"They'll be the first," Racher said.
Silently, they descended along the hidden side of the hill and encircled the four enemies. The terrain worked in their favor: rocks and deep shadows let them approach unnoticed.
When the bandits stopped next to a cold fire pit, the time had come.
"Now," Racher whispered.
It was a fast, precise strike. Robert threw a silencing dagger straight into the throat of the first. Kairo leapt at the second with a spinning move, driving his sword in before the man could scream. The third tried to run, but Racher crushed his skull with his reinforced glove. The fourth fell after a direct kick to the chest followed by a clean stab.
None of them survived.
"One down," Kairo said, panting slightly. "Well… four down."
Robert stepped closer, a smile of approval on his face.
"You did really well, Kairo. That sword they gave you for this mission is paying off. A good choice."
"Yeah… I'm getting used to it," he replied, cleaning the blade.
"We'll keep it up," Racher said. "Every hour that passes is a chance to weaken them."
As they hid again among the terrain's shadows, Kairo felt something stir inside him. He was no longer just a rookie on his first mission. It was no longer about surviving… but about bringing justice.
The fire was only beginning to burn.