The group descended from the mountains under a sky heavy with clouds. The fresh bite of the mountain wind carried the scent of snow, but none of them felt its chill. Their focus was elsewhere—on the echoes of what they’d left behind.

Ari walked ahead, his steps steady and deliberate, his expression as cold as it had been during the battle. Behind him, Yuri, Kimi, and Finoria followed in tense silence, each of them processing the events in their own way.

It was Yuri who finally broke the quiet.

“That was... intense,” she said, her green eyes glancing toward Ari. “Even for you.”

Ari didn’t respond immediately, his focus fixed on the trail ahead. When he did speak, his tone was measured. “They made their choice. I made mine.”

Yuri frowned but said nothing more.

Kimi, walking just behind Yuri, tilted her head, her violet eyes thoughtful. “Do you think they’ll listen to the message you left behind?”

“They’ll listen,” Ari said, his voice calm but sharp. “Whether they act on it is another matter.”

Finoria quickened her pace, falling in step beside Ari. Her usual playful grin was absent, replaced by a quiet determination. “They didn’t stand a chance,” she said, her warm brown eyes studying him. “But you knew that going in, didn’t you?”

“I did,” Ari replied simply.

“Then why hold back?” she asked, her tone carefully neutral.

Ari glanced at her, his gaze steady. “Because they weren’t the real threat. Breaking them wasn’t the goal—sending a message was.”

Finoria nodded slowly, though her expression remained thoughtful. “You’re a lot colder than usual. Not that I’m complaining, but it’s... different.”

“It’s what was needed,” Ari said.

At the Manor: A Tense Return

The group reached the manor by nightfall, the flickering lanterns casting long shadows across the stone walls. Varrek was waiting for them in the main hall, his scarred face unreadable as they entered.

“You did it,” he said simply, his gray eyes locking onto Ari. “I felt the wards break from here.”

Ari didn’t respond, his cold gaze sweeping over Varrek before he turned toward the others. “Rest. We’ll regroup in the morning.”

Yuri and Kimi nodded, though their lingering glances toward Ari spoke volumes. Finoria hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking between Ari and Varrek, before following the others.

As the room emptied, Varrek stepped forward, his tone low. “You were brutal out there.”

“They deserved worse,” Ari said without turning.

Varrek frowned, his scarred face tightening. “Maybe. But if you keep fighting like that, you’ll only make more enemies.”

Ari turned to face him, his dark eyes cutting through the dim light like blades. “Good. Let them come.”

The weight of his words hung in the air, and for a moment, Varrek looked as if he wanted to say more. But he held his tongue, nodding slightly before stepping back.

A Quiet Reflection

Later that night, Ari sat alone in his study, the faint glow of the hearth casting shadows across the walls. The shattered parchment from the stronghold lay on the desk before him, its edges blackened and frayed.

He traced the angular script with his finger, his mind turning over the events of the day. The defenders, the fear in their eyes, the message he had left—it all replayed in his mind like a silent storm.

“You’re brooding.”

Ari looked up to see Finoria standing in the doorway, her arms crossed and her golden hair glowing faintly in the firelight.

“I’m thinking,” Ari corrected, his voice steady.

Finoria stepped into the room, her soft leather boots barely making a sound against the floor. “You always say that when you’re brooding.”

Ari leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes fixed on her. “What do you want, Finoria?”

She smirked faintly, leaning against the edge of the desk. “To make sure you’re not spiraling into one of your ‘I have to carry the weight of the world alone’ moods.”

“I’m not,” Ari said, his tone clipped.

“Uh-huh,” Finoria replied, her brown eyes narrowing slightly. “You might be able to fool the others, but I know you better than that.”

Ari didn’t respond, his gaze shifting back to the parchment.

Finoria let out a soft sigh, her teasing demeanor giving way to something more sincere. “You’re not wrong to be cold out there,” she said quietly. “They needed to see what happens when they come for you. But you don’t have to carry that weight alone. That’s why we’re here, Ari. To share the burden.”

For a moment, the only sound was the crackling of the fire. Then Ari spoke, his voice softer than before. “I know. But this is different.”

Finoria tilted her head, her expression curious. “Different how?”

“They’re not just coming for me,” Ari said. “They’re coming for all of us. If I don’t stop them now, they’ll keep coming until there’s nothing left.”

“And you think you can stop them alone?” Finoria asked, her tone sharp but not unkind.

“I don’t think,” Ari replied. “I know.”

Finoria studied him for a long moment before shaking her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“So I’ve been told,” Ari said, his voice carrying the faintest hint of dry humor.

She pushed off the desk, her grin returning. “Fine. Be the brooding, unstoppable legend if you want. Just don’t forget you’ve got a team backing you up—even if you don’t think you need us.”

As she turned to leave, Ari’s voice stopped her.

“Thank you, Finoria.”

She paused, glancing back at him with a genuine smile. “Anytime, Ari.”

As the door closed behind her, Ari leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the flames. For all his resolve, the weight of what lay ahead was undeniable.

But he wouldn’t falter.

He couldn’t.