Chapter 5 ENEMY OF ALL SIDES

The village lay in ruins behind them, but it wasn't the fire or the rubble that made Ethan uneasy. It was the knowledge that their enemies were no longer just rebels-they were everyone. Kandaran militias, foreign operatives, rogue mercenaries, and even factions from Ethan's own government all wanted Orion dead, alive, or controlled.

Ethan crouched in the shadows of the abandoned schoolhouse, rifle in hand. Mara scanned the horizon through a broken window, her face tense. Orion sat against a wall, hands trembling, clutching the bag that contained the key to destabilizing nations.

"Where do we even go?" Mara asked quietly. "They're everywhere. The forest... the mountains... even the river we crossed-they could be waiting."

Ethan didn't answer immediately. His eyes were fixed on the perimeter, analyzing every possible path. "We move east. There's a secondary safehouse-abandoned, but it's hidden. If we can make it, we have time to plan."

"Time to plan?" Orion's voice cracked. "Do you know what they'll do if they catch me?"

Ethan's jaw tightened. "We're about to find out. But if we don't move now, we won't get that chance."

The forest ahead was alive with the sound of footsteps, low voices, and the distant hum of engines. Ethan counted at least four patrols converging near their path. The terrain was rough-jagged rocks, fallen logs, and thick undergrowth slowed every step.

"Move quietly," Ethan whispered. "No mistakes. One wrong sound, and it's over."

They slipped through shadows, silent as ghosts. But just as they neared a narrow ridge, the ground beneath them shifted. Mara froze.

"Tripwire," she hissed.

Ethan's hand shot out, catching the wire before it triggered a small, deadly mine. They paused, hearts hammering. Beyond the ridge, a convoy of militia trucks rumbled slowly along the valley road, scanning for targets.

"We'll never make it if we go that way," Mara whispered.

Ethan's gaze sharpened. "We'll make our own way." He scanned the ridgeline. A narrow cliffside path zigzagged up the mountains. Dangerous, yes-but unseen. Their only chance.

As they climbed, rocks tumbled underfoot. The sound echoed through the valley, drawing distant shouts. A hail of bullets ripped past them, forcing them flat against the cliff.

"Keep moving!" Ethan shouted. "Don't look back!"

Minutes stretched into an eternity. Ethan's side ached, Mara's breathing was ragged, and Orion's fear radiated like heat. Every step was a gamble-one slip could send them tumbling hundreds of feet down the mountainside.

Finally, they reached a small plateau hidden by thick pines. Ethan allowed himself a moment to catch his breath. Mara scanned the horizon. "We're not clear," she said. "They're still looking for us. And they're not alone."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Not alone?"

From the shadow of the trees, a figure emerged. Calm. Precise. Armed with an advanced rifle that had no place in Kandara's arsenal.

Ethan raised his weapon. "Identify yourself!"

The figure smiled faintly. "You're brave... but foolish."

Before Ethan could react, the figure fired. A bullet struck the cliff edge inches from his foot. Mara screamed, ducking behind a tree. Ethan returned fire, missing by inches. The figure vanished into the shadows like a phantom.

"They're watching us," Mara said. Her voice trembled. "Not just Kandara. Not just the militia. Someone... someone else is in play."

Orion's eyes widened. "Foreign intelligence?"

Ethan didn't answer immediately. He had learned long ago that some truths were worse than lies. "We keep moving," he said finally. "No rest. No mistakes."

They descended carefully along the plateau, moving toward a narrow valley that would lead them to the secondary safehouse Mara mentioned. But as night fell, the danger multiplied.

A sudden crack-branches breaking-echoed behind them. Ethan spun, rifle raised. Shadows moved swiftly. Ambush.

Three figures emerged: masked, armed, and silent. They surrounded the trio, weapons leveled. Ethan cursed under his breath.

Mara's hand trembled over her sidearm. "We can't fight them all."

Ethan's mind raced. One step, one calculation, one risk. He fired a shot that ricocheted off a nearby rock, then rolled behind cover, drawing the enemy's attention. Mara and Orion used the distraction to slip past, running toward a rocky outcrop.

Gunfire erupted. Ethan returned fire, precise and deadly. But it wasn't enough. The masked figures closed in with terrifying coordination.

Then, unexpectedly, the shadows behind the attackers flickered. Another group-different uniforms, different weapons-appeared, firing on the masked figures. Chaos exploded in the valley.

Ethan took advantage, motioning Mara and Orion to move. They sprinted through the confusion, bullets tearing the air around them.

Once clear, they collapsed behind a large boulder. Ethan's chest heaved. Mara's hair was matted with sweat and blood. Orion shook violently.

"They're everywhere," Orion whispered. "There's no safe place. No escape."

Ethan's eyes hardened. "That's not true. There is a way."

Mara looked at him, doubt in her eyes. "After everything, after the ambush, after the lies... how can you be so sure?"

Ethan lifted his gaze to the dark horizon. "Because we're alive. And as long as we're alive, we have a chance to fight back. And if we don't... the world won't know the truth."

Orion's trembling eased slightly, understanding for the first time that survival wasn't just about running-it was about taking control.

Ethan scanned the valley again. From the shadows, more movement. They weren't done. Never done.

He exhaled, steadying himself. "We go at dawn. Quiet, fast, and without hesitation. We reach the safehouse. Then we plan our next move. And no one, I mean no one, will stop us from getting Orion to safety."

Mara nodded, gripping her weapon. "We'll make it."

Ethan's hand rested on Orion's shoulder. "We have to. No other choice."

The night deepened, thick with fog and danger. Somewhere in the valley, the remnants of the militia and the unknown forces watched, waited, and planned their next move. Every second was a test, every shadow a threat.

But Ethan Cross was already moving in his mind, calculating, predicting, surviving.

And as dawn began to creep over the mountains, a new battle loomed-one that would test every limit, every skill, every ounce of courage they possessed.

The war for Orion's secret had truly begun.