The dawn came shrouded in mist, the air heavy and still. The manor was quiet, save for the soft rustle of leaves in the surrounding forest. Ari had risen early, as he always did, his mind sharp and clear as he prepared for the day ahead.

The events in the mountain stronghold lingered at the edges of his thoughts, but there was no room for hesitation now. They had sent a message. It was only a matter of time before the enemy responded.

Breakfast and Banter

By the time the others gathered in the dining hall, the tension was palpable. Kimi and Yuri arrived first, followed by Finoria, whose playful smirk belied the alertness in her warm brown eyes. Varrek entered last, his presence still uneasy among the group.

“Any updates from our friend here?” Yuri asked, jerking her thumb toward Varrek as she sat down.

“I don’t think he’s had time to betray us yet,” Finoria said cheerfully, earning a glare from Yuri and a faint chuckle from Kimi.

Varrek ignored the comment, turning to Ari. “They’ll retaliate soon. If I know their leader, he won’t take your display lightly.”

“Who is their leader?” Ari asked, his tone sharp.

Varrek hesitated, his gray eyes flicking to the others before settling back on Ari. “A woman named Seris. She’s a former general, one of the best tacticians I’ve ever seen. She left the military to gather this coalition, convinced that the world needs new heroes to replace the old.”

“And by ‘replace,’ you mean destroy,” Yuri muttered, her green eyes narrowing.

Varrek nodded. “She believes your legend casts too long a shadow. That as long as you exist, no one else can rise.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Kimi said softly, though her voice carried an edge. “The world doesn’t need to erase anyone to move forward.”

“Try telling her that,” Varrek said grimly. “She’s charismatic, ruthless, and willing to do whatever it takes to prove her point. That’s why so many follow her.”

Ari leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes thoughtful. “And where will she strike next?”

Varrek hesitated. “If she’s true to form, she’ll go after something personal—something that will force you to act.”

“Us,” Finoria said bluntly.

Yuri’s hand tightened into a fist. “Let her try.”

Kimi’s serene expression wavered, her violet eyes narrowing. “We need to prepare. If she’s as calculated as Varrek says, we can’t underestimate her.”

“We won’t,” Ari said, rising from his seat. His voice was steady, but his gaze was cold. “If she comes for us, we’ll be ready. But I won’t wait for her to make the first move.”

A Sudden Attack

As the group dispersed to ready themselves, the first sign of trouble came in the form of a distant rumble. The sound was faint at first, but it grew louder, reverberating through the ground like the approach of a storm.

Ari stepped outside, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. The mist was still heavy, obscuring the forest beyond the manor grounds. But then he saw it—movement among the trees.

Dozens of figures emerged from the mist, clad in dark armor and carrying weapons that gleamed even in the dim light. Their approach was deliberate, their formation tight.

“They’re here,” Ari said, his voice cutting through the air.

The others quickly joined him, their weapons at the ready.

“Already?” Yuri muttered, her daggers spinning in her hands. “Guess they’re eager to die.”

“Or eager to prove a point,” Kimi said, her voice calm but tense.

Finoria hefted her shield, a grin spreading across her face. “Looks like we get to skip the boring part.”

Varrek stood at the edge of the group, his scarred face grim. “That’s a vanguard. Seris will be watching, but she won’t reveal herself yet. She’s testing you.”

“She’ll get her answer,” Ari said coldly.

Ari Takes Control

The vanguard charged, their war cries echoing through the forest. Ari stepped forward, his presence like a wall of steel.

“Stay close,” he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.

The first attacker came at him with a spear, the tip aimed straight for his chest. Ari didn’t flinch. He sidestepped at the last moment, grabbing the shaft of the spear and yanking it free. With a swift motion, he snapped it over his knee and drove the broken end into the attacker’s armor, sending them crumpling to the ground.

Another rushed him with a broadsword, swinging wildly. Ari ducked under the strike and delivered a brutal punch to the attacker’s gut, the impact sending them flying backward.

The rest of the group moved with precision around him. Yuri darted through the chaos, her daggers flashing as she dispatched enemies with lethal efficiency. Kimi’s magic flared, ice walls and fireballs cutting off reinforcements while shielding the group. Finoria held the line, her shield deflecting blows as she drove attackers back with punishing strikes.

But it was Ari who dominated the battlefield.

He didn’t draw a weapon. He didn’t need to.

Ari’s fists were like hammers, his kicks like battering rams. Every movement was deliberate, every strike calculated. He moved through the enemy ranks with an almost inhuman calm, his cold gaze never wavering.

One attacker, a heavily armored brute wielding an axe, roared as he charged Ari. The man swung with all his strength, the blade carving through the air with deadly intent.

Ari caught the axe handle with one hand, stopping the swing dead. His grip tightened, the wood splintering under his strength, and with a swift motion, he wrenched the weapon free and drove it into the ground.

The brute barely had time to react before Ari’s fist connected with his helmet, crumpling it inward and sending the man sprawling.

The Vanguard Falls

Within minutes, the vanguard was broken. The surviving attackers fled into the mist, their formations shattered and their spirits crushed.

Ari stood at the center of the battlefield, his fists bloodied but his expression unreadable. The others gathered around him, their own exhaustion clear but their resolve unshaken.

“They’ll be back,” Varrek said, his tone grim.

“Let them,” Ari replied coldly. “The next time, they won’t have the chance to run.”

The group exchanged glances, the weight of his words settling over them.

For Ari, there was no room for mercy. Not anymore.