The night was peaceful. After the celebration, the village finally rested. There were no more loud voices, nor the constant sound of tools or hurried footsteps. Only the natural silence of a place that, for the first time in a long while, could stop without worry.
We walked up to the mansion without rushing. The atmosphere was light, different from when we arrived. There was no tension, nor that constant feeling that something was about to go wrong. It was simply… rest.
Lyannis threw herself into a chair with a satisfied sigh. "That was good."
Rai'kanna leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. "It was."
Scarlett removed her gloves calmly, as always maintaining control. "They needed this."
Elara organized a few objects on the table, but without her previous rigidity. "An important moment to stabilize the group."
Vespera observed through the window, looking at the village below. "The impact of this will last."
Liriel walked slowly through the hall, calm. "It is at peace."
I looked around and, for the first time since everything began there, I felt that it was true.
"Let's rest," I said.
No one argued. There was no reason to. We went upstairs and, shortly after, we were already in the bedroom. The tiredness came naturally. It wasn't forced exhaustion, it was simply the body accepting to stop.
I lay down and closed my eyes.
And then the world changed.
There was no abrupt transition. It simply… disappeared. The room vanished, the warmth, the sounds, everything was replaced by an empty space. Dark, but not threatening. Silent, but not dead.
I already knew that place.
"So you returned."
The voice appeared before the form. Calm, deep, carrying a presence that didn't need to impose itself to be noticed.
"Spirit of the sword."
The figure slowly began to form before me, as always. Without hurry. Without any need to prove anything.
"You evolved."
I remained silent for a moment before answering. "I had to."
"Yes."
There was a pause. But this time, something was different. Heavier.
"What is it?"
He didn't answer immediately, and that already said a lot.
"Something is approaching."
The silence returned, denser.
"A general?" I asked.
"No."
"Then the Demon King?"
"Not that either."
I frowned. "Then what?"
The presence remained steady, but the answer took time.
"I don't know."
That wasn't normal.
"You don't know?" I questioned.
"Not completely."
I took a deep breath. Even in that space, the feeling was clear.
"What do you feel?"
"Something great." There was a brief pause. "Greater than everything you have faced so far."
The weight of that became clear.
"Greater than the generals?"
"Yes."
"Greater than the third?"
"Yes."
I remained silent for a few seconds, absorbing it.
"So it's coming."
"Yes."
"Here?"
"Not necessarily."
"But nearby."
"Yes."
The answer was direct.
I understood.
It wasn't an immediate threat, but it also wasn't distant enough to ignore.
"Do I have time?" I asked.
"Very little."
No hesitation.
"Then I need to prepare."
"Yes."
I looked at him for a moment. "Does this have something to do with the Demon King?"
The response came more slowly. "Everything does."
I closed my eyes for a moment. There was no doubt.
"So it's still not over."
"No."
Simple.
Inevitable.
I took a deep breath and then said, "I will become stronger."
"You must."
"I know."
The presence began to disappear, as it always did.
"Then wake up."
And the world returned.
I opened my eyes.
The room was there, silent and dark. Calm breathing filled the environment. I spent a few seconds staring at the ceiling without moving.
The feeling of the dream was still with me.
I slowly turned my head.
Lyannis slept without concern, her face relaxed. Rai'kanna maintained her firm posture even while sleeping. Scarlett was serene, as if nothing could affect her. Elara remained motionless, almost as if she were still analyzing everything even while resting. Vespera slept peacefully, and Liriel… Liriel seemed completely at peace.
I looked at all of them for a few seconds.
And then I understood.
"I almost forgot…," I murmured softly.
There was still more left.
The second general.
The first.
And the Demon King himself.
I slowly sat up on the bed without making noise.
"I became too comfortable."
That couldn't happen.
I stood up and walked to the window. The night air entered when I opened it. Cold, light, real. I looked at the village below. Silent, resting after everything that had happened.
"I won a war…," I said softly.
But that wasn't the end.
"But I still haven't reached the end."
I closed my eyes for a moment and then made a clear decision.
"I will train."
Simple.
Without doubt.
"I will become stronger."
I opened my eyes and looked toward the dark horizon. There was nothing visible there. No threat, no sign.
But now I knew.
The path still continued.
And this time… I was ready to move forward.