The advance continued until the sun began to disappear over the horizon. After the village, no one spoke much. There was no need. What we saw there was enough, and each of us dealt with it in our own way.
When we decided to stop, the chosen location was a slightly elevated area, surrounded by more spaced-out trees. A good point for visibility and defense. Nothing luxurious, but functional.
"We set up here," I said.
The adventurers began to move without question. The pace was already different from the beginning of the war. More direct, more efficient. Fewer doubts.
Rai'kanna helped position the outer line of watch. Scarlett organized the lightly injured who were still with us, while some of the others took care of the basics. Water, fire, minimal rest.
I remained for a few moments looking at the darkening horizon.
The village was still in my mind.
Not as a loose image.
But as a consequence.
"You're still thinking about it."
Scarlett's voice came calmly at my side.
"Yes."
She stayed silent for a moment.
"It doesn't change what already happened."
"I know."
"But it changes what you do from now on."
I looked at her.
Scarlett didn't look away.
"So don't stay stuck there."
I took a deep breath.
"I won't."
She nodded slightly and stepped away to continue helping the others.
The camp formed gradually. Nothing large, nothing too spread out. We kept everything compact, easy to respond in case of an attack.
Rai'kanna returned after checking the perimeter.
"No movement for now."
"But that doesn't mean much."
"I know," she replied. "But still… too quiet."
Lyannis would have made a sarcastic comment about that. Vespera would have stayed silent, observing. Elara would be analyzing the environment more carefully. Liriel would have already pointed out possible flaws.
Their absence was strange.
It didn't weaken us.
But it changed the rhythm.
"We'll keep short shifts," I said. "No one fully relaxes."
Rai'kanna nodded.
"I'll take the first."
"I'll take the second," I replied.
Scarlett returned and sat nearby.
"I'll take the third."
I looked at her.
"You need to rest too."
"Later," she said simply.
I didn't insist.
Night fell completely.
The fire was kept low, just enough not to draw attention from a distance. Conversations were short, almost nonexistent. The main sound was the wind passing through the trees.
Rai'kanna stood, vigilant, looking into the darkness as if expecting something to emerge at any moment.
I sat nearby, but didn't fully relax.
"You're different," she commented.
"How?"
"Quieter."
"I'm thinking more."
She gave a slight smile.
"That can be dangerous."
"Depends on what you do with it."
"I prefer to act."
"I know."
Silence returned, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
After some time, we switched positions.
Rai'kanna sat down, but didn't sleep immediately. I took the watch point.
The night seemed calm.
But that no longer meant safety.
The thoughts returned, inevitable. The division of fronts, the villages, the enemy's advance. Everything connected.
And for the first time since the war began…
I felt the full weight of leadership.
It wasn't about fighting.
It was about deciding.
And every decision had consequences.
Scarlett approached some time later, sitting beside me.
"You won't be able to avoid this," she said.
"Avoid what?"
"Thinking too much."
I looked ahead.
"I don't want to avoid it."
"Then don't let it consume you."
I stayed silent.
She continued.
"You're doing what needs to be done."
"Even so…"
"Even so, it won't be perfect," she interrupted. "And it never will be."
That stayed with me.
Simple.
Direct.
Real.
"Do you trust me?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Even so?"
She didn't hesitate.
"Especially because of that."
I looked at her.
Scarlett held my gaze without looking away.
"Then keep going," she said.
I nodded slowly.
The shift passed without incidents.
Then she took over, and I lay down for a while. It wasn't deep sleep, but enough to recover the body.
When I woke up, the sky was still dark, but the first sign of light was already beginning to appear on the horizon.
Scarlett was still standing.
"Any movement?"
"None."
"Good."
Rai'kanna was already getting up.
"Then they're reorganizing."
"Or waiting," I replied.
"Doesn't matter," she said. "We move forward anyway."
I stood up.
The others began to move as well. No delay. No need for repeated orders.
The camp was dismantled quickly.
Before leaving, I looked around one last time.
The night had been quiet.
But that meant nothing.
I took a deep breath.
"Today we push harder," I said.
Rai'kanna smiled.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
Scarlett adjusted her posture.
"Then let's go."
We began to move again.
This time, with more clarity.
More firmness.
Because after the night…
There was no more room for doubt.
Only for advance.