Preparing for the FightThe morning air was crisp and carried the faint smell of coal and metal from the forge they had worked tirelessly in the day before. The survivors were gathered in the clearing outside the workshop, their newly forged weapons glinting in the early sunlight. Though they looked the part of a battle-ready group, Emmalyn knew they were far from prepared.Colt and Wheels stood at the front of the group, their faces set with determination. Both men had seen combat in their own ways, and now they were united in a shared purpose: to prepare the survivors for the fight of their lives.“Alright,” Colt began, his voice firm. “It’s one thing to hold a weapon. It’s another thing entirely to know how to use it.” He gestured to the group. “Most of you haven’t been in a real fight before. If we’re going to face demons—or anything else—we need to know how to fight together.”Wheels rolled forward, his sharp brown eyes scanning the group. “This isn’t about strength or size. It’s about strategy. About working as a unit. If you can’t trust the person beside you, you’re as good as dead. So, let’s make sure we’re ready before we charge into anything.”Colt began by demonstrating basic sword techniques, his movements precise and efficient. He showed the group how to block, parry, and strike, breaking down each motion so even the youngest survivors could follow.“Don’t swing wildly,” he instructed, adjusting Isaac’s grip on his blade. “Controlled movements. Precision over power. A wild swing leaves you open, and the demons won’t hesitate to take advantage of that.”Isaac nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration as he practiced the movements Colt had shown him.Meanwhile, Wheels worked with those carrying shields, showing them how to form a defensive line. He rolled along the row, tapping shields with his staff to test their stability.“Hold steady,” Wheels said, his voice calm but commanding. “A shield wall is only as strong as its weakest link. If one of you falters, the whole line breaks.”Kelli, who had taken to her shield with surprising skill, stood at the center of the line, her posture firm. “We’ve got this,” she said, glancing at the others. “Just stay together.”Clara practiced with a spear, her movements awkward at first but gradually improving under Wheels’ guidance. “Don’t overreach,” he told her. “A spear keeps your enemy at a distance. Use that to your advantage.”As the morning wore on, Colt and Wheels shifted the focus from individual techniques to team tactics. They set up mock scenarios, pitting half the group against the other to simulate real combat situations.“Communication is key,” Colt said as the survivors took their positions. “If you see something, call it out. If someone needs help, you cover them. No one fights alone.”The first few drills were chaotic, with shouts and missed opportunities leading to disarray. But with each round, the group improved. They began to move as a unit, covering each other’s weaknesses and reinforcing their strengths.“Better,” Wheels said after the fourth drill, nodding in approval. “You’re starting to get it.”By midday, the group was sweaty and tired, but their confidence had grown. Emmalyn watched from the sidelines, her heart swelling with pride at their progress. These people, who had once been scattered and afraid, were becoming something more—a force to be reckoned with.During a break, Emmalyn approached Colt and Wheels, who were discussing the next phase of training.“You’re doing great with them,” she said, handing Colt a canteen of water.Colt took a sip, wiping his brow. “They’re learning fast. Faster than I expected.”“Not just because of us,” Wheels added, glancing at Emmalyn. “You’ve been leading them since the start. They trust you. That’s why they’re willing to fight.”Emmalyn shook her head. “They trust all of us. And they’re fighting because they know what’s at stake. Annabeth... the mission... it’s bigger than any one of us.”Colt nodded, his expression softening. “True. But you’re the one keeping them together. Don’t forget that.”Emmalyn smiled faintly, though the weight of their words settled heavily on her.As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Colt and Wheels called the group together for one final exercise.“This time, we’re simulating an ambush,” Colt said, pointing to a series of markers they had set up in the clearing. “You’ll be outnumbered and outflanked. Your job is to hold the line and protect the group at all costs.”The survivors exchanged nervous glances, but they nodded in unison, ready to face the challenge.The drill began with Colt and Wheels leading the “enemy” force, using their knowledge of tactics to press the group from all sides. Emmalyn took charge of the defensive line, calling out orders and coordinating movements.“Left flank, hold steady!” she shouted as Clara and Kelli reinforced their position. “Isaac, watch your right!”Despite the pressure, the survivors held their ground, their teamwork and training paying off. When the exercise ended, Colt and Wheels called them together, their expressions filled with approval.“You did good,” Colt said, his voice steady. “Real good. You’re ready for what’s coming.”Wheels nodded. “Remember what you’ve learned today. Trust each other. Fight smart. And never, ever give up.”As the group settled down for the evening, their spirits were higher than they had been in weeks. They were still outnumbered and outmatched by the forces they faced, but they were no longer defenseless.Sitting by the fire, Emmalyn looked around at the survivors—her family now. They had come so far, and though the road ahead was uncertain, she knew they would face it together.Colt and Wheels sat nearby, quietly discussing the day’s progress and the next steps in their journey.“You think they’re ready?” Wheels asked.“They’re as ready as they’ll ever be,” Colt replied. “And they’ve got something the demons don’t—each other.”Emmalyn closed her eyes briefly, sending up a silent prayer. For Annabeth. For the group. For the strength to keep going.Because now, they weren’t just survivors. They were warriors.

Prologue

The Light of the Path

A Light in the Dark

The Road Behind

The Ties That Bind

The Darkness Approaches

The End of the Beginning

The Ghosts of the Past

Broken Chains

The Gathering of the Lost

The Weight of the Sheepdog

Lost in the Shadows

Lessons from the Journal

Lessons from the Past

 A Fight for the Flock

Songs for the Journey

A Journey of Mercy

The Return of a Warrior

A New Bond

Strength in the Storm

The Forge of Hope

Preparing for the Fight

Love in the Chaos

Victory and Redemption

The Road to Resurgam

The First Stone

A Union of Hope and Faith

Fortifying Resurgam

Into the Unknown

The Shadows of Power

Tuning In

Eyes on Amman

The Storm Breaks

Defiance and Destiny

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Rising from the Ashes

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Rising from the Ashes

Red1oneLeadr

Colton Lee

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