Frozen Flame of Dawn - Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Chapter 31: On the Road Again_1

The convoy rolled down the cracked and weathered road like a slow-moving giant, a hundred armored vehicles lined up with precision. Each of them was packed—some with families, some with supplies, and some with weapons and ammunition. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long rays over the distant treetops as the rumbling engines echoed through the quiet expanse of the abandoned highway.

Bella sat in the lead armored car, her gaze sharp as she scanned the horizon. The convoy’s speed had slowed considerably due to the battered roads, but they were making steady progress. She glanced down at her watch—01:45 PM—almost noon.

“Halfway there,” she murmured, then leaned out of the window and signaled for a halt.

As they rounded a curve, a small, broken-down car came into view on the side of the road. Four figures stood near it—two men, a woman, and a young boy clutching his mother’s hand tightly. Their clothes were dusty, their faces drawn with exhaustion and fear. The boy’s wide eyes darted nervously from the car to the approaching convoy.

Bella raised her hand, signaling the convoy to slow down. The line of vehicles eased to a halt. Dust settled slowly around them as Bella stepped out, adjusting her vest as she walked toward the strangers.

“Hey, you folks alright?” she asked, her tone calm but with a note of authority.

The older man, somewhere in his fifties, stepped forward cautiously. His face was lined with worry. “We’re fine… now,” he said hesitantly. “Our car broke down hours ago. We were coming from the nearby city—trying to get to the town in Icelorn Basin. Our family is there… alone.”

Bella’s expression softened. She could see the desperation in his eyes. They weren’t running away—they were trying to get back to the people they loved. “You know how dangerous it is out here, right?” she asked. “Awakened beasts and mutated animals are everywhere. Even some awakened humans have gone rogue. It’s not safe to travel alone.”

The man exhaled sharply, looking down at the cracked pavement before meeting Bella’s gaze again. “We don’t have a choice,” he said, voice thick with emotion. “If we don’t reach them… we don’t know what will happen.”

Bella hesitated for a moment but then nodded. “Alright,” she said with a small smile. “Get in. We’re headed that way. We’ll give you a lift.”

The man’s eyes flickered with relief but also with suspicion. “Are you military?”

Bella chuckled lightly, folding her arms. “Not exactly. But we’re close enough. And we’re here to help.”

The man exchanged glances with his wife, who was holding the boy close. “Is it… safe?” he asked warily.

Bella’s smile widened, and her tone softened. “It’ll be a lot safer than walking out here on Dustman Highway.” She jerked a thumb toward the open road. “Your odds out there are slim to none. With us? You’ve got a fighting chance.”

The man let out a slow breath, then nodded. “Thank you.”

They climbed into one of the armored trucks at the back, securing their seatbelts while the boy clung to his mother’s arm. Bella signaled the convoy, and the engines roared to life once more.

The convoy pressed on, winding through the rough, broken path. The trees whispered in the wind, their rustling leaves masking any faint sounds of movement in the distance.

Bella kept an eye on her team, noting their steady composure. Everyone was on high alert, but they weren’t tense—they were focused.

Asher sat cross-legged, palms resting on the floor as he focused his energy. His breathing was steady, his senses tuned to the earth’s hum beneath the wheels.

Just as they reached a narrow stretch surrounded by overgrown woods, a sudden vibration rippled through the ground, subtle but distinct. His eyes snapped open. “Bella,” Asher’s voice crackled through the radio. “We’ve got company. East side.”

Bella’s hand tightened around the radio. “Distance?”

“Maybe a hundred meters. Nothing massive—looks like a few smaller ones this time.”

Bella nodded and clicked the radio. “Alright, teams. You heard him. East side formation—cover and protect the convoy.”

Within seconds, the convoy adjusted. The combat personnel spread out, forming a protective perimeter on the vulnerable side.

Bella’s jaw tightened. She switched the radio frequency. “Just like the Amira instructed—groups of three. Engage smart, not reckless. Let’s make it quick.”

Moments later, three shadowy figures emerged from the trees—mutated beasts, their glowing eyes locking onto the convoy. They lunged forward with guttural growls, but the soldiers were ready. A burst of coordinated gunfire rang out, and the one of the beasts fell before they could even reach the first line of defense.

Bella got frustrated and said angry again in radio. “Fight in teams in close combat don’t waste bullets if you don’t have clear and sure shot.”

The team then sprang into action with timely support from behind with gunman without any burst of gunfire like before. Sam jogged up beside Bella, his rifle slung over his shoulder. “Think they’re testing us?” he asked, eyes sharp.

Just as Bella was going to reply Asher voice came from radio saying. “There is few incoming from west side, 200m away.”

Bella heard it as she scanned the treeline. “Just Amira said they are doing this to confirm our strengths and weaknesses, you handle this side I will go there.”

Sam grunted. “Well, let’s make sure they don’t learn much.”

But soon both Bella and Sam’s team took care of the remaining beasts in coordinated attack without exposing their abilities, following the three-person strategy Amira told them downside of it took much time. Within hour, the path was clear. The soldiers regrouped without a single casualty, their teamwork seamless.

Bella clicked her radio. “Good work, everyone. Back in formation. Let’s keep moving.”

Soon after few hours as the sun began its slow descent the convoy finally neared the village.

From far away the shining ice fortress appeared like a mirage and its crystal walls caught the last of the moonlight and made sparkling reflections in the landscape.

The fortress’s size was truly amazing and the fact that it stood tall and wouldn’t bend showed how powerful Amira was. The team and their families were stunned, and whispers of shock filled the air.

One of the younger soldiers astonished low. “No way… Captain made that?”

Bella crossed her arms with a small proud smile appeared on her lips. “Only Amira could pull off something like that.”

Sam said as he looked in admiration.”I’ve seen a lot of things but this is something else.”