The enemy advance no longer left any doubt. It wasn't something isolated, nor disorganized. It was constant, distributed, pressuring different regions at the same time. Continuing to concentrate all forces in a single point would be a mistake.
I stopped in front of the improvised map we had set up at the camp. Hand-made markings indicated the latest attacks, and the pattern was beginning to form clearly. These weren't random movements. They were forcing responses, spreading our forces.
Liriel was the first to speak.
"They want this."
"Yes," I replied.
Elara analyzed the markings.
"If we keep this up, we'll always arrive late."
"Or with insufficient numbers," Vespera added.
Lyannis rested her chin on her hand, looking at the map with a more restrained smile than usual.
"Then we'll have to do the same."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"Divide."
The silence that followed wasn't doubt, it was acceptance.
Scarlett looked at me.
"You've already decided."
I took a deep breath.
"Yes."
I lifted my gaze.
"We can't keep everyone together anymore."
No one liked the idea.
But everyone understood.
"We'll split into fronts," I continued. "Smaller, faster teams covering different areas. Prevent villages from falling, contain the advance, eliminate groups before they grow."
Liriel nodded slowly.
"Risky."
"Yes."
"But necessary."
"Exactly."
I shifted the map slightly and began defining.
"Rai'kanna."
She responded immediately.
"I'm here."
"You stay on the main front line with me."
She smiled faintly.
"That was expected."
"Scarlett stays as well."
Scarlett said nothing, only kept her gaze steady.
"Elara, you'll take one of the secondary fronts."
She lifted her gaze.
"How many with me?"
"A medium group. Balance between attack and support."
She nodded.
"I can handle it."
"Liriel."
She crossed her arms.
"I already know. Coordination."
"Yes. But not only that. You're going with Elara."
She raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Separate field reading?"
"No. Expand it."
A brief silence.
Then she understood.
"Makes sense."
"Vespera."
She looked at me silently.
"You'll lead another front."
"With whom?"
"Lyannis goes with you."
Lyannis smiled immediately.
"Now it gets interesting."
Vespera simply nodded.
"Mobility and quick elimination."
"Exactly."
I looked at everyone.
"This isn't just division. It's independence."
Scarlett spoke softly.
"And trust."
"Yes."
The silence returned, but this time it was heavier.
It wasn't just strategy.
It was separation.
For the first time since everything began, we wouldn't all be together.
Rai'kanna was the first to break the mood.
"We're not going to die because of distance."
Lyannis let out a small laugh.
"Speak for yourself."
Elara took a deep breath.
"It's the right thing to do."
Liriel looked directly at me.
"But you'll have to truly trust."
"I know."
Vespera simply said.
"Then don't hesitate later."
"I won't."
Scarlett stepped a little closer.
"You also can't lose yourself trying to handle everything."
I looked at her.
"I won't."
Even so, I knew.
This wouldn't be simple.
We called the adventurers shortly after. The map was placed at the center, and I explained everything directly. No detours.
"We're going to divide the forces."
Some exchanged glances.
"This increases the chance of quick response. Each group will operate in a specific region."
I pointed to the markings.
"These areas are being pressured. We can't ignore any of them."
One of the adventurers spoke.
"What if we encounter something bigger?"
"Retreat," I replied.
Without hesitation.
"This isn't about pride. It's about holding the line."
The silence was immediate.
I continued.
"Each leader will have autonomy. Follow their orders as you would follow mine."
Liriel crossed her arms.
"No questioning in the field."
Elara added.
"And no acting alone."
Vespera kept her gaze steady.
"Individual mistakes become collective failure."
Lyannis spun her blade.
"And collective failure becomes death."
Rai'kanna concluded.
"So don't fail."
No one said anything else.
There was no need.
The division began soon after.
Groups organized themselves, equipment checked, routes defined. The camp, which once felt like a single unit, began to fragment.
I watched in silence.
Every step of that decision carried weight.
Elara approached first.
"We'll leave before sunset."
"Yes."
Liriel stood beside her.
"I'll maintain communication when possible."
"Do that."
She hesitated for a second.
"Don't die."
"You neither."
Lyannis appeared shortly after.
"If it gets boring over there, call me."
"I doubt it will."
She smiled.
"Then I'll enjoy it."
Vespera simply stared at me for a moment.
"Trust."
"I do."
She nodded and turned away.
Rai'kanna remained by my side.
"Now it really begins."
"Yes."
Scarlett briefly held my hand before letting go.
"Come back whole."
"You too."
The groups began to leave.
One by one.
Different directions.
Different objectives.
But all with the same purpose.
When the last group disappeared over the horizon, the silence returned.
This time, emptier.
I looked at the map once more.
Now it wasn't just strategy.
It was distributed responsibility.
I took a deep breath.
"Let's move too."
Rai'kanna smiled.
"Finally."
Scarlett adjusted her posture.
"No hesitation."
We began to walk.
Fewer people.
Less immediate support.
But with greater reach.
The war had changed.
And now…
We were spread within it.