The high ground Tamemoto had chosen was a low ridge of cracked stone and scrub brush, rising just high enough to give a clear view of the badlands stretching west toward Ashfall.

  The group arrived quietly, spreading out along the ridge to avoid silhouetting themselves against the sky. The wind carried dust and the faint, distant rumble of something large moving.

  Gray crouched low beside Tamemoto, eyes scanning the horizon.

  The Tile River was a thin silver line far to the south. Ashfall’s crater rim was a dark smudge in the distance, smoke rising from it like a slow signal fire.

  Lian Wei knelt beside them, thin sword resting across his knees. He squinted toward the west.

  “Sand drifting,” he said quietly. “There. Look.”

  Gray followed his gaze.

  A wide cloud of dust rose in the far distance — not wind-blown, but kicked up by hundreds of heavy feet. Figures moved within it — tall, hunched, marching in rough formation.

  The horde of trolls was real. They were still far away, but the direction was unmistakable: straight toward Ashfall.

  Lian Wei’s voice stayed low. “We leave Shen Huo and Xia Rong here in the rear.

  They’ll watch for strays heading toward your camp. I can’t see well enough from here, but there are definitely giants. The big ones stand out. No sign of riders yet — they usually stay in the center to command.

  If there are wolf riders, we’ll know soon.”

  Tamemoto stared at the distant dust cloud. His small hands gripped the bow string tightly.

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  Gray glanced at him. “What is it?”

  Tamemoto spoke quietly. “I learned from Gaius that in the Manifestation Realm, you can control where you focus your aura. I’m not there yet — I’m still in Awakening — but I can do it for a glimpse. Just a moment. I could push my aura to my eyes, see farther. Check if there are riders. But… it might strain me. I’d need to rest after.”

  Gray’s breath caught.

  His brother was already exploring his power in ways Gray hadn’t even thought to try. He felt a mix of pride and something sharper — envy, maybe, or fear that Tamemoto was pulling ahead.

  Gray subconsciously touched the small wand hidden inside his tunic — Lumen Whisper, the gift from Rebecca. It felt warm against his skin.

  He shook his head. “Don’t do that yet. Our main goal is to fight strays, not the horde. If you strain yourself now, you’ll be useless when we need you.”

  Tamemoto nodded. Relief and disappointment flickered across his face. “Okay.”

  Gray turned to Lian Wei.

  “Let’s go,” he said. “We’ll intercept any strays heading toward Camp Tile. The direction is west-southwest — there’s a narrow pass near the river bend. Good ambush spot. We can use the rocks and dust there.”

  Lian Wei studied him for a moment. Then nodded.

  “Agreed. Lead the way.”

  The group moved out — Lian Wei and the six Azure Fan disciples, Gray and Tamemoto in the middle.

  They descended the ridge, moving quickly but quietly. The badlands were familiar to Gray — he knew the topology like the scars on his hands.

  The narrow pass he had mentioned was perfect: high walls on both sides, loose rocks on the ground, dust that could blind if kicked up, and the river bend to one side for escape or flanking.

  Gray spoke low as they approached. “We set up here. Rocks on the high ground for Tamemoto and the chain users. Blades and polearms in the choke point. If strays come, we hit fast — use the walls to limit their movement, dust to blind, river to slow them.”

  Lian Wei nodded approval. “Sound plan. We’ll follow your lead on the terrain.”

  The group took positions.

  Gray crouched behind a boulder, knife ready. Tamemoto climbed to a higher ledge, bow nocked.

  The Azure Fan disciples spread out — Shen Huo and Lin Mei with chains on the flanks, Zhao Feng and Yue Lian with swords at the choke, Bao Jin with his guandao anchoring the center, Xia Rong ready to support.

  They waited.

  The distant rumble of the horde grew louder, but no strays appeared yet.

  Gray’s mind raced.

  If riders come, we run. If giants come, we run. If only soldiers… we fight.

  But we don’t die here.

  Tamemoto looked down at him from the ledge. His eyes were steady now — no fear, just focus.

  Gray gave him a small nod.