CHAPTER 90: THE REAL RESISTANCE

An old man with massive muscle build emerged from the shadows between the trees, moonlight catching the extensive scars covering his arms and face. His presence commanded immediate respect, and Marcus could feel the power radiating from him even in the darkness.

"I asked you to come alone, Marcus," the man said with quiet authority.

"No, you didn't. You didn't even ask me to come at all," Marcus replied defensively. "Lady Genevieve just gave me directions to this place. Plus, you haven't even said your name."

Tom suddenly started hitting Marcus excitedly on the arm. "Marcus! Marcus!"

"What is it?"

"This is Iron Eater! Han the Iron Eater! He's a legend among enhancers. Even our enhancement instructor talks about him all the time. I thought you were dead!"

Han stepped fully into the moonlight, revealing the massive wounds and scars that covered his body like a map of countless battles. "Not yet, young one. I escaped after fifteen years of imprisonment in Malachar's dungeons."

Marcus studied the legendary figure with new respect but burst out with frustration. "You still haven't said who you are and why we're here."

Han's demeanor immediately changed from jovial old man to serious authority figure. "You need to lower your tone, boy. Just because I was friendly earlier doesn't mean you should assume anything. I understand we're going through tough times, but show a little more respect."

When Han's attitude shifted, Palwin's stance went into high alert like a guard dog sensing danger. Marcus wondered if this was because they were somehow syncing with her group mind instincts, or if it was just survival instinct responding to the change in atmosphere.

"Sorry, sir. Like you said, I'm on edge. Just yesterday I passed out from frustration and stress."

Han's expression softened back to the jolly old man persona. "It's okay, it's okay, young man. Follow me. This is just the entrance. Our real hideout is in the forest."

As Han led them deeper into the woods, he began sharing his history. "I may look old now, but I was just a kid under Master Thymon's training. After many years of trying, he finally accepted me for his second mission against Malachar, where I was captured. I think other than Master Thymon, no one escaped that campaign."

He continued talking about how difficult it had been to earn a place on that mission, his voice carrying the weight of old shame. "I always felt ashamed because of that mission. When Malachar bent our wills, we all attacked each other. I landed a huge blow on Master Thymon, knocking him unconscious. I think Malachar assumed he was dead and left him there."

"So it's true that Malachar can manipulate people's minds," Marcus said, stating what he'd suspected.

Tom nodded grimly. "That's really powerful magic. You can dodge fists, but how do you dodge mind magic?"

"That's exactly how he manipulated himself onto various thrones and made sure he wasn't overwhelmed when nations tried to gather against him," Han explained. "He made sure to pull some leaders to his side during every major campaign."

"So now they're all his slaves," Marcus concluded.

"That's why, when my little friends at the Academy told me that Master Thymon's former pupil was claiming to know someone with portal magic, I wanted to meet him and hear about it myself."

"What can you do to help us?" Marcus asked directly.

"Not just me," Han said, gesturing toward the forest ahead. "We call ourselves the Defenders."

Marcus saw what appeared to be wooden buildings forming an over developed campsite that resembled a small town hidden among the trees. The construction was sophisticated, suggesting this community had been established for some time.

"The Academy teaches kids with magical talents and noble children formal education, but in reality, other than enhancers, most weren't truly utilizing their magical spark," Han explained.

"So you recruit them?"

"Not everyone. We test them at the Academy first. If they want something like this, where they can push the limits of their magic and unique abilities, we invite them here."

"What kind of education do they get in this place?"

A woman with dark skin approached from the hidden village, appearing to be in her mid forties and well dressed like someone in authority. "Anything they can use for the survival of free will," she said, extending her hand. "Aluro Starweaver. I run this military academy."

Tom's eyes lit up with recognition. "Starweaver! Like Master Thymon! You're his daughter!"

Aluro smiled warmly. "Not his daughter. I'm his great great granddaughter. He lived nearly two hundred years."

Han chuckled. "And the only remaining relative, unless she remarries again."

"Don't mind this old coot," Aluro said with affection. "What we do here is very important work."

Marcus felt compelled to address the loss that connected them all. "I'm so sorry for your loss. It's my fault, I think. He died defending us."

"Nonsense," Aluro replied firmly. "He had already exceeded normal human limits and died saving this city from pests like Lord Varek. He lived the life he chose and died protecting what mattered to him."

"Now please, come inside with your friends," Aluro invited them toward a hut that was larger than most but still felt cramped when five people entered, especially with giants like Tom and Han taking up significant space.

"Me and the other giant should go outside," Han suggested. "Aluro can tell me the details later."

"Don't leave yet," Marcus said urgently. "Before we discuss Palwin's powers, I have information I think I must share. I was considering telling Commander Cain and convincing him and Lord Hammond to inform the King, but I should tell you first."

"What is it, Marcus?" Han asked.

Tom grinned mischievously. "You and Palwin are getting married! I knew it!"

"No, stop joking, Tom." Marcus took a deep breath before delivering the devastating news. "Malachar is gathering his western forces and will launch an attack on the city from the east side."

Aluro leaned forward intently. "Are you certain? How did you get this information?"

"I cannot tell you my source yet, but it is definitely happening. If Master Thymon had contacts at Malachar's facilities, try reaching them for confirmation."

Han's expression grew grim. "I'm sending my best messengers and scouts east immediately. We can't contact our people directly because it would compromise them and get them caught."

That night, they discussed the approaching attack and strategies for convincing city officials to believe their warnings. The Defenders had resources and capabilities that the Academy and royal court lacked, but they also faced the same political obstacles that had frustrated Marcus's previous attempts to warn authorities.

"The problem is credibility," Aluro explained. "Officials dismiss us as radicals and troublemakers. They see the Academy as legitimate because it serves noble families and maintains traditional structures."

"But you have former Academy students here," Marcus pointed out. "People who've received formal training."

"Former students who were expelled or left voluntarily because they wanted to push magical boundaries beyond what the Academy considered safe," Han clarified. "That doesn't help our reputation with conservative authorities."

As they talked through options for warning the city and preparing defenses, Marcus realized he'd found something invaluable. The Defenders represented organized resistance with practical capabilities, experienced leadership, and people who understood both conventional and magical warfare.

"What about Palwin's training?" Marcus asked. "Can you help her develop control over her portal abilities?"

Aluro studied Palwin, who had been listening with her characteristic focused attention throughout the evening. "Portal magic is theoretical for most of us. We've never worked with someone who can actually manifest those abilities. But we have teachers who specialize in helping people with unusual magical talents."

"She has some unique personal traits that make individual training challenging," Marcus explained carefully.

"We've worked with all kinds of students here," Aluro assured him. "People who don't fit into traditional Academy structures, those with unconventional abilities, survivors of trauma who need specialized approaches. We'll find ways to help her."

Han nodded approvingly. "Plus, if she can really open portals, that could change everything about how we approach the coming siege. Imagine being able to move supplies, people, or even small strike teams anywhere within the city instantly."

Marcus felt hope rising for the first time in weeks. The Defenders offered everything he'd been unable to find elsewhere: military expertise, magical training capabilities, people who took the Malachar threat seriously, and leadership that understood unconventional warfare.

"What do you need from us?" Marcus asked.

"Thank you for trusting us with this information. We will look into anything about Malachar's forces, capabilities, timeline for the attack. Then we coordinate with your other allies. Lord Hammond, Sister Korra, anyone else who might support serious defensive preparations."

"Master Thymon spoke highly of your character and potential. We won't let his faith in you be misplaced."

Marcus felt cautiously optimistic for the first time since Celestine had revealed the approaching crisis. He'd found allies with both the willingness and capability to take meaningful action. Now the question was whether they could prepare effective defenses before Malachar's forces arrived at the city gates.