The manor was cloaked in silence, its halls dark save for the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the windows. The others had retired for the night, their trust in the wards and traps allowing them a few hours of rest.

But Ari wasn’t resting.

He moved through the quiet corridors with purpose, his steps silent and precise. His mind was calm, focused on the task ahead.

He had made his decision. This was something he needed to do alone.

The Solo Run

The forest was alive with the soft sounds of the night as Ari slipped past the perimeter traps and into the trees. The wards Kimi had placed rippled faintly as he passed through them, but they did not hinder him.

Varrek had given him enough information during their conversations to piece together where Seris’s council was located. While the others fortified their defenses, Ari had mapped the path in his mind, preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

He moved quickly and quietly, his dark eyes scanning the terrain as he ascended into the mountains. The wind picked up as he neared the stronghold—a natural fortress concealed within the jagged cliffs.

The guards stationed at the entrance never saw him coming.

Ari dispatched them with brutal efficiency, his movements swift and precise. He didn’t waste time with magic or weapons—his fists and feet were enough. By the time he slipped into the stronghold, the air was heavy with tension.

The council wouldn’t know he was here until it was too late.

The Council’s Chamber

The chamber was massive, its stone walls illuminated by the flickering light of braziers. A circular table stood at its center, surrounded by six figures—Seris and her council. They were deep in discussion, their voices low and serious as they debated their next move.

Ari stepped into the room without a sound.

It wasn’t until he reached the edge of the table that they noticed him. The nearest council member—a wiry man with sharp features—turned, his eyes widening in shock.

“What—”

Ari’s fist struck before the man could finish his sentence, sending him crumpling to the ground. The sound drew the attention of the others, who rose from their seats, their expressions a mix of shock and anger.

“Who dares—” one of them began, reaching for a weapon.

Ari silenced him with a single, brutal punch, the man collapsing into a heap.

The remaining council members hesitated, their confidence faltering as Ari’s cold gaze swept over them. His presence was a storm, his movements deliberate and unyielding.

“Enough,” Seris said, her voice cutting through the tension. She stood at the far end of the table, her sharp features illuminated by the brazier’s light. “Let him speak.”

Ari stepped forward, his dark eyes locking onto hers. “You know who I am.”

Seris’s lips curved into a faint smile, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. “Of course. The great Ari, legend of legends. I was wondering when you’d show yourself.”

“This ends now,” Ari said, his voice low and cold. “You made your move. Now I’m making mine.”

Seris raised an eyebrow, her composure returning as she crossed her arms. “And what move is that? You think walking into my stronghold and throwing a few punches will scare me?”

Ari’s gaze didn’t waver. “This isn’t about scaring you. This is about making something very clear.”

He stepped closer, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with a blade. The remaining council members backed away, their confidence shattered by the cold fury radiating from him.

“If anything happens to the girls—if you touch a single hair on their heads—I will erase you from existence,” Ari said, his voice steady but filled with a chilling finality.

Seris’s faint smile faltered, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied him. “Bold words. But even you can’t be everywhere at once.”

“I don’t need to be,” Ari replied, his tone unyielding. “Because if you come for them, I will find you. And when I do, there will be nothing left of you or anyone who follows you.”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words pressing down on everyone present. Even Seris, with all her bravado, seemed momentarily shaken.

“You think threats will stop me?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

“They’re not threats,” Ari said. “They’re promises.”

A Silent Exit

Without waiting for a response, Ari turned and walked away, his steps echoing through the chamber. The council members made no move to stop him, their fear palpable in the heavy silence that followed.

Seris watched him go, her fists clenched at her sides. Her confidence had been shaken, but her resolve hadn’t broken.

“Let him leave,” she said finally, her voice steady once more. “He won’t be able to protect them forever.”

But even as she spoke the words, doubt lingered in her mind.

The Return

By the time Ari returned to the manor, the first light of dawn was breaking over the horizon. He slipped back inside quietly, his movements careful to avoid waking the others.

As he reached his study, he paused, his gaze lingering on the faint glow of the wards Kimi had placed. They were strong, resilient—just like the people who had placed them.

For now, they were safe.

And if Seris thought she could change that, she was wrong.

Ari’s cold resolve hardened further as he sat down at his desk. He would protect his team at any cost, even if it meant walking into the lion’s den alone.

Because nothing—and no one—was going to take them from him.