41: Uneasy Victory scent smoke lingered in the air as the first rays of dawn broke over the remnants of Ava’s estate. once pristine grounds were now a battlefield, strewn with and fallen comrades. stood in midst of it all, her scanning the horizon, her mind reeling the chaos the previous night. Liam approached her, with exhaustion. His arm was bandaged, and a fresh scar his cheek. need to gather the survivors,” he said, his low but firm. “And we need to about what comes next. Ava nodded, her gaze on the horizon a longer before she turned to him. “I she replied. “But first, need to make sure everyone is safe. They moved through estate, checking the wounded and rallying the uninjured to help. they worked, the among the survivors was palpable. and fear filled and Ava could see the cracks forming their fragile alliance. grand where the wounded gathered, Ava found cornered by Marcus, one of her allies. His face was pale, his eyes with a mixture of fear anger. “What are we going to he demanded. keep fighting like this. We need a plan. Ava a deep to steady herself. will make plan, Marcus,” she assured him. “But right now, we need to focus survival. We need rebuild, regroup, and then we’ll figure out our next move. Marcus shook his head, etched into his features. good enough,” he snapped. are scared. need than just promises. Liam stepped in, placing reassuring hand Marcus’s shoulder. “We’re all Marcus,” he said gently. “But we have to trust Ava. She’s led this far, she us down now. Marcus them, his expression softening slightly. “Fine,” he muttered. “But we need answers soon. As the day wore on, Ava and Liam worked tirelessly some semblance of order to estate. They coordinated repairs, distributed supplies, their best to the rising tensions. But underlying unease remained, a constant reminder of battle had barely survived. In the evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, and Liam retreated to quiet of the to catch their breath. Ava leaned against crumbling wall, eyes closed she to process that had happened. “We can’t keep this up forever,” Liam said softly, his voice breaking the silence. “We’re running Ava. Something has to give. Ava opened her eyes, looking at him with a of and weariness. “I know,” she admitted. “But we have choice. We have to going. Liam moved closer, his expression softening he reached out to her hand. “We’ll get through this,” said quietly. “Together. a flicker of her chest at a brief respite from the overwhelming weight of their situation. But it was as a figure from the shadows, a crumpled of paper. figure said urgently. “You to see this. took the paper, her eyes scanning hastily scrawled words. Her heart sank as she the a wave of over her. “It’s from the found,” she said, her above a whisper. “There’s a hidden alliance within our ranks. Someone is betraying us. Liam’s expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he implications. “Who?” he demanded. Ava shook head, her mind racing. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But we to find out. The weight revelation settled them like shroud, adding to already unbearable pressure. They they couldn’t trust anyone, not completely. And as they out over estate, the survivors working tirelessly to rebuild, they realized true extent of the danger they faced. fell, and the was shrouded in uneasy silence. Ava and gathered their closest allies in a dimly lit the tension palpable they discussed their next move. “We need be careful,” Ava said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. “We know we’re onto them. We need to if everything normal, while we figure out who the traitor is. Liam nodded in agreement, eyes scanning faces them. “We need to vigilant,” he added. “Trust no one, and report suspicious behavior immediately. meeting ended, and their allies dispersed, and Liam remained behind, the of their task pressing down them. “This changes everything,” Liam said quietly. “We can’t any more mistakes. Ava at him, eyes filled with determination. “We make she vowed. “We will the and we make pay.