Chapter 31: Ascendancy 

Edith stepped away from the group, her heart still heavy with grief as she dialed Cameron and Julius's numbers. The phone rang once, twice, before Cameron's voice came through the line.

"Edith, what's going on?" Cameron's tone was urgent, tinged with concern.

"Hey, Cameron, it's Edith," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil swirling inside her. "I need to talk to you and Julius about something important."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Julius's voice joined the call. "What's going on, Edith?" he asked, his tone serious.

"I've been working on a plan," Edith began, her words measured as she explained the outline of her strategy to denounce the president and take down the corruption that had plagued their society. She could feel the weight of their attention on the other end of the line as she spoke, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

Cameron was the first to respond, his voice filled with skepticism. "Edith, this is risky. We can't just go against the government like this," he said, his concern evident.

"I know it's risky," Edith replied, her tone unwavering. "But we can't sit back and do nothing. You saw what happened to Amy. We need to take a stand."

Julius's voice cut in, his tone more measured. "Edith, we understand your concern. But this plan of yours – it's risky, and we're not sure if it's the right approach."

Edith took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she knew she had to say. "Look, Cameron, Julius, you can support me or not. But I need the resources to make this happen," she said, her voice firm. "Because if Zain and I go rogue, we might as well take all the agents we want with us. You both know what happened to Amy – it was live television."

There was a tense silence on the other end of the line as Cameron and Julius processed her words. Finally, Cameron spoke, his voice resigned. "Alright, Edith. We'll support your plan," he said, his tone serious. "But you better know what you're doing."

Edith nodded, a sense of relief flooding through her. "Thank you, Cameron," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude. "We won't let you down." 

As she hung up she took a breath, steeling herself and walked out to see her team with their wits about them huddled over her scribblings of a plan. Edith stood at the head of the table, her expression serious as she addressed the group. "Alright, everyone, listen up," she began, her voice commanding attention. "We've assessed the situation, and it's time to take decisive action."

Zain nodded in agreement, his eyes glinting with determination. "We're going after the heart of the government."

Markus leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought. "That means hitting their military and political infrastructure," he added, his voice echoing the gravity of their mission.

Kasey tapped his fingers against the table, his mind already racing with plans. "We'll start by targeting the Ministry of Defense (MOD)," he suggested, pointing to a location on the map. “It’s highly secured, but with some well-timed bombs there isn’t much they can do to stop it. We’ll take the extra time to study the people on patrol, only targeting the corrupt, weeding it out from the root.”

Cian nodded in agreement, his eyes flashing with determination. "We'll need to hit them hard and fast," he said, his voice tinged with urgency. "We can't give them a chance to regroup."

Montana cracked his knuckles, a steely resolve in his gaze. "And while we're at it, we'll hit the Presidential Palace," he added, his voice filled with determination. "While it’s guarded, they’ll be too busy worrying about the MOD, and then from there we can infiltrate and publicly ‘dethrone’ Valentin.”

Edith glanced around the room, "We'll need to coordinate our attacks carefully," she said, her voice steady and unwavering. "Each team will have a specific target, but we'll all be working together to bring down this regime. We have access to Hemingway-Jones Incorporated’s (HJI) resources, so agents galore.”

Kasey tapped his fingers against the table, deep in thought. "We should also have a backup plan in case things don't go as expected," he suggested. "We can't afford to leave anything to chance."

Cian nodded in agreement. "We'll need a contingency plan for every scenario."

Montana cracked a half-smile. "And we'll need to be ready for anything they throw at us," he added. "They'll be expecting us to make a move, so we'll need to stay one step ahead."

–

Darkness shrouded the outskirts of the Ministry of Defense building, broken only by the dim glow of security lights. The team moved swiftly and silently through the shadows, their faces obscured by masks and their footsteps muffled by the night.

Cian led the way, his movements fluid and purposeful. He carried a small satchel containing explosives, his hands steady as he prepared to carry out their plan. Montana followed closely behind, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of trouble.

As they approached the main entrance, Cian signaled for the team to halt. He crouched down, setting the satchel on the ground and carefully arming the detonator. With a final glance at his comrades, he pressed the button, and the explosives ignited with a deafening roar.

The blast tore through the night, sending debris flying and shattering windows in its wake. Flames erupted from the building, casting an eerie orange glow over the scene. The sound of alarms filled the air, mingling with the shouts of panicked guards.

With the Ministry of Defense engulfed in chaos, the team wasted no time in disappearing into the night, leaving behind nothing but smoke and destruction in their wake. Their mission was far from over.

–

Under the cloak of the night, the team gathered at a safe distance from the imposing structure of the Presidential Palace, shrouded in darkness. The building loomed before them, its marble walls illuminated by the occasional flicker of torchlight. Edith stood at the forefront, her eyes fixed on their target, her mind focused on revenge, for her brother, for Amy, for every rebel killed in the fight.

"We need to move quickly," she said, her voice low but resolute, barely audible above the howling wind. "Once we breach the perimeter, we'll have a limited window of opportunity."

Montana nodded, his jaw set with determination. "Let's make it count," he replied, his voice tinged with urgency.

With silent nods of agreement, the team sprang into action, their movements swift and precise. Montana and Markus approached from one side, their footsteps barely audible on the damp ground. They carried satchels of explosives, the weight of their mission heavy on their shoulders.

Meanwhile, Kasey and Cian took up positions on the opposite side, their eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of trouble. They carried automatic rifles, prepared to provide cover fire if needed, their fingers hovering over the triggers.

Edith and Zain stayed close to the center, coordinating the operation and ensuring that everything went according to plan. They carried radios, allowing them to stay in communication with the rest of the team, their voices calm but firm as they directed their comrades.

As they reached the palace gates, Montana and Markus set their explosives with expert precision, their movements practiced and deliberate. They stepped back, their hearts pounding in their chests, the tension palpable in the air. With a quick glance at each other, they activated the detonators, and the gates exploded in a deafening cacophony of sound, a shower of sparks and debris filling the night sky.

The team wasted no time in charging through the breach, their adrenaline pumping as they surged forward. The corridors of the palace were eerily quiet, the only sound the echo of their footsteps on the marble floors. They moved swiftly, their movements fluid and silent as shadows.

As they made their way deeper into the palace, they encountered the president's advisors, who were caught off guard by the sudden assault. Working together with precision and efficiency, the team stealthily took down the advisors one by one, incapacitating them without alerting the rest of the palace.

Finally, they reached the main chamber, where President Russo Valentin sat on his throne. The room was something… adorned with gold and jewels, a stark contrast to the chaos that raged outside.

Without hesitation, the team burst into the chamber, their weapons raised and ready. President Valentin sat unbothered by the clear threat of danger.

"You are under arrest for crimes against the people of Crocari," Edith declared, her voice ringing out. "Your reign of tyranny ends here."

He looked at her eyebrow raised, “And under whose authority? Yours? A little girl wanted for treason?” Valentin laughed, and stood stalking towards her.

"Under the authority of the people!" she retorted, her voice steady despite the rising tension. "The people who have suffered under your tyranny, who have watched their loved ones die, who have been oppressed and silenced by your regime. You may see me as a little girl, but I am the voice of the people, and I will not be silenced."

Valentin's smile faltered slightly, his gaze narrowing at the challenge in Edith's words. "You are bold, I'll give you that," he conceded, his tone laced with malice. "But you are also foolish to challenge me in my own palace."

With a sudden movement, Valentin drew a concealed dagger from his robes, the blade gleaming in the dim light of the chamber. The team tensed, ready to spring into action, but before they could react, the palace guards surged forward, their weapons drawn.

Zain and Markus moved to intervene, but they were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of guards. Cian and Kasey fared no better, their attempts to fight back thwarted by the coordinated efforts of their adversaries. Montana broke through the hold of a couple before a decisive punch was made to his temple, effectively rendering him useless.

Edith stood her ground, her eyes locked with Valentin's as he advanced towards her, his dagger poised to strike. She knew she had to act fast, to find a way to turn the tide in their favor.

"Enough!" she declared, her voice cutting through the chaos. "If you have any shred of honor left in you, you will face me in a Rite of Ascendancy."

Valentin paused, his expression unreadable as he considered her proposal. The Rite of Ascendancy is a spectacle of power and prestige. It is a brutal but effective way to ensure that only the strongest and most worthy leaders rise to the top in Crocarian society. Two individuals of significant standing in society face off in a fight to the death. It is seen as a way to resolve disputes, prove one's worthiness, and ascend to higher positions of authority. It is resolved when an opponent dies, or is replaced by another person of equal political standing.

"And if I refuse?" he countered, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Then the world will know that you fear to face me," Edith replied, her voice unwavering. "That you are nothing but a coward hiding behind your throne."

Valentin's jaw tightened, his pride wounded by the challenge. With a curt nod, he sheathed his dagger and stepped back, his gaze locked with Edith's.

Valentin's lips curled into a sly smile, his eyes glinting with challenge. "Very well, Edith. I accept your challenge," he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Edith's heart pounded in her chest as she realized the gravity of her decision. The weight of the Rite of Ascendancy bore down upon her, and she knew that she was about to embark on the most perilous battle of her life.

The members of her team erupted in protest, their voices filled with concern and outrage. "No, Edith, you can't do this!" Zain exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Cian stepped forward, his expression fierce. "We won't let you put your life on the line like this," he declared, his voice tinged with desperation.

But Edith silenced them with a raised hand, her gaze never leaving Valentin's. "This is my decision," she said firmly, her voice cutting through their protests. "I will not stand idly by while corruption runs rampant in our society. I will face Valentin in the Rite of Ascendancy, and I will emerge victorious."

With a determined nod, Edith turned and walked away from her team, her mind already racing with preparations for the deadly duel ahead. She knew the risks, she knew the consequences – but she also knew that she could not back down. For the sake of her people, for the memory of those who had fallen, she would fight until her last breath.

Standing amidst the rubble of the palace, Edith felt a sense of grim determination wash over her. The chaos of the destroyed building seemed to mirror the turmoil within her own heart, but she refused to let fear or doubt cloud her resolve. With her ceremonial blade gripped tightly in her hand, she stared down the remnants of the once-grand structure, her gaze unwavering. The Rite of Ascendancy awaited her, a test of strength, skill, and courage like none she had ever faced before. But as she prepared to enter the arena of battle, Edith knew that she carried the hopes and dreams of her people on her shoulders. She was their champion, their beacon of hope in a world consumed by darkness. And with a silent vow to honor their trust and fight for justice until her last breath, she stepped forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the deadly duel that awaited her. 

K.M Strunk