The night remained calm on the surface, but deep down I knew it wasn't real. That stability I had built over the last few months wasn't permanent, it was only an interval. Even so, I took advantage of the silence. We were all together in the mansion, gathered after days of travel and inspections of the territories. For the first time in a long while, there wasn't an immediate task demanding action.
I sat on the edge of the bed while observing the room. The lights were dim, the atmosphere calm. Scarlett was speaking quietly with Lyannis about some details that could still be adjusted in the human lands. Elara listened carefully, adding technical points with her usual precision. Liriel stood near the window, sensing the flow of mana around her, as if trying to identify any subtle change. Rai'kanna was more relaxed, but still alert, and Vespera, leaning against the wall, kept her gaze fixed on everything, as if she already expected something.
"You're quiet," Scarlett said, breaking the light rhythm of the conversation.
"I'm thinking," I replied.
"About what?" Lyannis asked.
"About everything."
Elara crossed her arms.
"That doesn't help much."
I looked at her.
"Three kingdoms. Everything stabilized. Enough resources. Structures functioning."
Liriel turned slightly.
"That's good."
"It is."
Rai'kanna added,
"But that's not what's bothering you."
"No."
The silence returned, but this time heavier. Everyone already knew.
"You feel it," Vespera said.
It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
Scarlett lost her lighter tone.
"So it's not over."
"No."
Lyannis took a deep breath.
"So all this time…"
"It was preparation."
Elara nodded slowly.
"That makes sense."
Liriel took a small step forward.
"And now?"
I looked at all of them.
"Now we wait."
Rai'kanna frowned slightly.
"You never like waiting."
"I don't."
"Then why now?"
"Because I know he's coming."
The atmosphere changed completely. There was no more doubt, nor any lightness.
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"The second general."
"Yes."
Lyannis spoke firmly.
"So he really is moving."
"Yes."
Elara added,
"And you've already been noticed."
"Probably since the beginning."
Liriel lightly clenched her hands.
"So all of this…"
"Drew attention."
Vespera stepped forward.
"Not only drew attention."
She stopped beside me.
"It provoked."
I took a deep breath.
"Yes."
I walked to the window once more. The city remained alive, completely ignoring what was about to come. People walking, lights on, normal routines. All of that… depended on me now, in some way.
"I can't fail," I said quietly.
Rai'kanna answered immediately.
"You won't."
"I don't have a choice."
Scarlett gave a slight smile.
"You never did."
Lyannis added,
"And you never needed one."
Elara kept her gaze firm.
"You built all of this for exactly this moment."
Liriel nodded.
"You're ready."
Vespera simply said,
"Enough."
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"It has to be."
The night advanced and, little by little, everyone settled down. The exhaustion finally started to appear after intense days. I lay down in the center of the bed, feeling their presence around me. It was strange how natural that had become. An unlikely group, yet completely aligned.
Silence took over.
And then…
The dream came.
It wasn't gradual. It was immediate.
Darkness appeared around me, deep and shapeless. The space seemed empty, but filled with something heavy. I recognized it. I had felt it before.
The sword's voice came first.
"Hero…"
I opened my eyes inside the dream, remaining calm.
"Time is over."
"I know."
"Evil did not retreat… it only waited."
I took a deep breath.
"So did I."
The silence broke.
And then he appeared.
His presence was different from anything I had ever faced. It wasn't merely strong. It was overwhelming. The air itself seemed to distort around him, as if space rejected his very existence.
The second general.
He did not advance. He didn't need to.
He simply stood there, watching.
"So you are the hero."
His voice was low, yet heavy enough to make the surroundings vibrate.
"I am."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Weaker than I expected."
I didn't respond.
"But more interesting as well."
I took a step forward.
"You came just to say that?"
He let out a slight laugh.
"No."
His presence increased.
"I came to warn you."
The surroundings darkened even further.
"Enjoy it."
The pressure intensified.
"This little world you built…"
His gaze became colder.
"Will disappear."
I felt the energy react, but kept control.
"You really think you can do that?"
He didn't answer immediately.
He simply smiled.
"I don't think."
His energy expanded to an absurd level.
"I know."
The impact was instantaneous.
And then…
I woke up.
My body reacted immediately. I sat up in bed, breathing deeply, but without losing control. It wasn't fear.
It was confirmation.
Rai'kanna was already awake.
"You saw him."
"Yes."
Scarlett sat up soon after.
"Was it him?"
"It was."
Lyannis was already standing.
"So it started."
Elara kept her gaze firm.
"It's no longer theory."
Liriel looked more serious than usual.
"He's coming."
Vespera spoke quietly.
"He's already on his way."
I took another deep breath.
I looked at all of them.
There was no more room for doubt.
"So this is it."
I got out of bed.
"The next move is his."
Rai'kanna replied,
"And ours?"
I looked ahead.
"To be ready."
Scarlett smiled slightly.
"So finally."
Lyannis nodded.
"Now it's real."
Elara added,
"No turning back."
Liriel took a deep breath.
"No fear."
Vespera finished,
"No mistakes."
I walked to the window.
The sky was still dark, but dawn was approaching.
It was the end of that cycle.
And the beginning of something much bigger.
"Then come," I said quietly.
"I'll be waiting."