Frozen Flame of Dawn - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Chapter 33: Embers in the Shadows_2

Helen stared at him for a while stunned by his foresight. “You… you’ve been planning this for a while haven’t you?”

Aiden’s lips curled into a faint but almost guilty smile. “Ever since the broadcast about the surge and council members selfish arguments and decision in these couple of meetings I saw how the council was shifting. I knew Henry would take chance of this and try to gain as much power and support he could.”

Helen’s eyes softened with gratitude. “Thank you, Aiden and this isn’t a small thing you’ve done.”

Aiden then looked at the list he has given to Helen on last time and said. “These individual in the list are not yet know by anyone as I have skipped these name while providing details of all awakened individual during the sweep while had also told these people to stay low till someone comes and get them. So you need to move fast while no one is focusing on them now.”

Helen the passes this papers filled with name to her guard who stood there from start listening to everything they about and even the two didn’t have any problem taking about these important stuff in front of him.

He was once a elite member of dragon unit going with the name ‘Vorox’ under previous Captain, but captain retired handing the power to Aiden he too left the unit and joined Helen guard squad to protect her.

Helen said to Vorox. “You handle this personally without anyone getting aware of it.”

Vorox was just going to move out that Helen stooped him while looking at Aiden. “What name do think we should give this unit, have any suggestion.”

Aidden tought for a moment and said. “As it start with completely with the new members and has a clear goal and records, let give it a name that suggest an ember that move in shadow—Emberwings.”

Aiden stood, adjusting his coat. “You’ll need every advantage you can get. The council’s decision to barricade the central province and abandon the outer provinces is going to have consequences.”

Helen’s expression darkened. “I know,” she said bitterly. “It was a shortsighted, foolish decision. I should’ve used my veto power.”

“It’s too late for that now.” Aiden’s voice was calm, but his words hit like a hammer. He hesitated before continuing. “Aunt Helen… you need to understand something. The people in those provinces—they’re scared. Desperate. If left unchecked, the awakened among them will rise up. Do you really think they won’t turn their anger toward us? Do you think they won’t rally people to their cause?”

Helen’s heart sank. She knew the answer. “No,” she whispered. “They will.”

Aiden nodded. “Exactly. By the time the council decides it’s safe to send help, it’ll be too late. They’ll have carved out their own territories, established their own power. And you won’t be fighting one enemy—you’ll be fighting many. Each with their own army of loyal followers.”

Helen exhaled shakily, a mix of frustration and fear tightening her chest. “How did it come to this?” she muttered. “How did I let this happen?”

Aiden’s gaze softened. “It’s not your fault. Henry’s been playing the long game. You couldn’t have seen it all coming.”

“But I should’ve,” Helen whispered. She stared at the list of names, her fingers trembling slightly. “What’s done is done. All we can do now is prepare… and hope it’s enough.”

Aiden walked around the desk and placed a hand on her shoulder. “It will be,” he said firmly. “You’re stronger than you think. And you’re not alone.”

Helen looked up at him, her eyes shining with a mix of gratitude and regret. “Take care of yourself, Aiden.”

Aiden’s smile returned—brief, but genuine. “You too.”

He then stepped out of Helen’s office, the door clicking shut behind him with a sense of finality. The corridor was quiet, dimly lit by the soft glow of the sconces lining the walls. His footsteps echoed as he walked, but his mind was elsewhere—his thoughts tangled in the weight of what lay ahead.

Tomorrow, they would leave. Everything was in place, yet a sense of unease gnawed at him. The Federation was on the brink, and he knew that once the Dragon Unit departed, there would be ripples—waves that could either unite or divide what was left of civilization.

He had warned Helen about his thoughts about the rise of power-hungry individuals and the chaos that would follow.

While all over the federation many heroes—from determination to resolve to protect and villain—from hatred to lust of power are born every minute .

The Protector of Redmere Valley

In the quiet town of Redmere, nestled in the forests of the Eastern Province Borealis, a former schoolteacher named Andrew stood atop the rubble of what was once the town’s square. His shirt was torn, and his arms bore fresh wounds from the recent battle against a pack of mutated beasts that had ravaged the outskirts.

“Gather everyone in the chapel!” he shouted, his voice carrying through the air. “We’ll make that our new safehouse!”

The villagers, weary but alive, followed his lead. Andrew’s calm yet commanding demeanor had kept them from succumbing to despair. When the beasts first came, the town’s officials fled, leaving the people defenseless. But Andrew stayed. His awakened ability allowed him to form protective shields of shimmering energy, and he used it to defend the remaining survivors.

“Why are you doing this?” a young boy asked as Andrew crouched to bandage his scraped knee.

Andrew smiled, though the fatigue was evident in his eyes”Because I refuse to let fear decide who we become. Help will come. But until then, we’ll make this place safe ourselves.”

The people who had once only known Andrew as a kind teacher now looked to him as their leader. A leader who didn’t seek power, but responsibility.

The Tyrant of Greystone Ridge

In the mountainous region of Greystone Ridge, things weren’t as hopeful. Revek, who once served as a disgraced military officer, had claimed the town of Brathford as his own. His power—an earth-based ability that allowed him to coat his fist with rocks and act like stone fists—was unmatched in the area.

A frail old man who once held the power as mayor was dragged to the town square. Revek stood before the frightened crowd while his scarred face twisted in a cruel grin.

“Your leaders have abandoned you,” Revek spitted while pointing to the mayor, “This man hoarded food while you starved. But no more. I’ll make sure no one forgets who protects this town now.”

With a sickening crack, he held the face of the mayor and tightened that it broke even a small pressure and blood sprayed all around. The crowd screamed, but Revek’s loyalists—fellow outcasts and thugs—shouted in support.

“This is our new order!” Revek roared. “Follow me and you’ll never be weak again!”

Revek’s rule then began with fear—and the promise of more violence while terrified but with nowhere else to go, the townsfolk bowed their heads.