The battlefield was eerily silent in the aftermath of the skirmish. The air was thick with the scent of earth and steel, the ground littered with the fallen weapons of the retreating vanguard. Ari stood motionless in the center, his broad shoulders tense as he surveyed the field.

His fists were still clenched, the knuckles bloodied but steady. For a moment, no one spoke.

It was Yuri who broke the silence.

“Well, that was fun,” she said, twirling her daggers with a grin that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “But I doubt that’s the last of them.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be,” Varrek said, stepping forward. His scarred face was unreadable, but there was a hint of unease in his voice. “That was a probe. Seris wanted to see how you’d respond.”

“She got her answer,” Kimi said softly, her violet eyes narrowing. “But if she’s as smart as you say, she’ll adapt.”

Finoria let out a low whistle as she surveyed the scene, her shield slung over her back. “Adapt all she wants. She’ll still lose.”

Ari turned, his cold gaze sweeping over the group. “This was just the beginning. She’s testing our limits.”

“And?” Yuri asked, raising an eyebrow.

“She’ll find out we don’t have any,” Ari said flatly.

Regrouping at the Manor

By the time the group returned to the manor, the sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest. The mood inside was tense but controlled, the air heavy with the weight of what was to come.

Kimi immediately began weaving wards around the manor, her delicate fingers glowing with magic as she reinforced every vulnerable point. Yuri took to the perimeter, setting traps and marking positions for a potential ambush. Finoria checked their gear, her usual playful demeanor replaced by quiet efficiency.

Ari, however, disappeared into his study, the door closing softly behind him.

Ari’s Solitude

The study was dimly lit, the only light coming from the flickering embers in the hearth. Ari sat at his desk, his dark eyes fixed on the parchment Varrek had delivered earlier. The angular script stared back at him, a taunting reminder of the enemy that lurked in the shadows.

For years, he had fought to bring peace to the world. He had faced the Demon Lord, led his guild through countless battles, and carved his name into history. But now, that same history had become a weapon—something others sought to destroy.

A soft knock broke his thoughts.

“Come in,” Ari said, his voice steady.

The door opened, and Finoria stepped inside, her golden hair catching the firelight. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, her brown eyes studying him carefully.

“You’ve been awfully quiet,” she said, a faint grin tugging at her lips.

“I’ve had a lot to think about,” Ari replied, his tone even.

“Care to share?” she asked, stepping closer.

Ari leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze meeting hers. “Seris isn’t like the enemies we’ve faced before. She doesn’t want to win a battle—she wants to break us. To dismantle everything we’ve built.”

“And you think she can?” Finoria asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No,” Ari said firmly. “But she’ll try. And she won’t stop until she’s forced to.”

Finoria placed a hand on the edge of his desk, leaning in slightly. “Good thing you’re not easy to break.”

Ari’s lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smirk. “Neither are you.”

For a moment, the tension between them softened, replaced by the familiar ease of their bond. But it didn’t last.

“I’m with you, you know,” Finoria said quietly, her voice unusually serious. “Whatever happens, wherever this leads—I’ve got your back.”

“I know,” Ari said simply.

“You don’t have to carry it all alone,” she added, her brown eyes locking onto his. “Even if you think you do.”

Ari’s gaze softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. “I’m not alone. I have all of you. That’s why we’ll win.”

Finoria studied him for a moment longer before nodding, her faint grin returning. “Good answer. Now, try not to stay up all night brooding.”

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

“Finoria.”

She glanced back, her expression curious.

“Thank you,” he said, his tone quiet but sincere.

Her smile widened slightly. “Anytime.”

The Enemy’s Next Move

Far from the manor, in a darkened chamber carved into the heart of the mountains, Seris stood before a council of her most trusted followers. Her sharp features were illuminated by the glow of a large, rune-inscribed map spread across the table.

“The vanguard failed,” one of the council members said, his voice tinged with unease. “Ari’s response was... overwhelming.”

“Of course it was,” Seris replied, her tone calm but cold. “I never expected them to succeed. They served their purpose.”

“And what purpose was that?” another council member asked, his brow furrowed.

“To measure him,” Seris said simply. Her piercing gaze swept over the group. “Ari is everything the legends say—and more. But he’s not invincible. He’s one man. One man with weaknesses.”

The room fell silent as her words sank in.

“We attack again,” Seris continued, her voice sharp. “But this time, we don’t aim for him directly. We aim for what holds him together.”

Her lips curved into a faint, calculating smile. “His guild. His companions. His family.”

The council members exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared to argue.

“Begin the preparations,” Seris commanded. “The legend will fall. And when it does, the world will finally move forward.”

The Calm Before the Storm

Back at the manor, the night passed uneventfully. The group rested as best they could, knowing that the enemy wouldn’t remain idle for long.

Ari stood watch from the balcony, his sharp eyes scanning the forest below. The wind carried the faint scent of rain, the promise of a storm looming on the horizon.

For Ari, the battle wasn’t just about survival. It was about protecting the people who had fought beside him for so long. The people who had become his family.

He didn’t know when Seris would strike next. But when she did, he would be ready.

And this time, there would be no mercy.