The retreat didn't bring relief, but it brought clarity. For the first time since the beginning of the war, we weren't just reacting to what came from the north. We were thinking before acting, and that changed everything. The camp was set up on slightly higher ground, with partial visibility of the surrounding terrain. It wasn't perfect, but it was defensible.
Night fell slowly, and silence settled among the adventurers. It wasn't the silence of rest—it was the silence of expectation. Everyone there knew this wasn't a normal pause. It was preparation.
Scarlett sat beside me, watching the improvised map I had drawn on the ground.
"You're seeing more than you're saying," she said.
"I'm trying to organize it," I replied.
Rai'kanna approached soon after, setting her weapon down beside her. "Then organize it quickly. Standing still doesn't suit me."
Lyannis let out a quiet laugh. "She can't go two minutes without fighting."
"I can," Rai'kanna replied. "I just don't like it."
Liriel approached silently, crossing her arms as she analyzed the drawing. "The attacks are concentrated here… and here."
She pointed to two distinct spots.
Elara nodded. "Yes. And both converge on the same axis."
Vespera added calmly, "The center isn't the immediate target. It's the final point."
I looked at all of them.
"So the general isn't trying to invade directly," I said. "He's shaping the path."
Scarlett frowned slightly. "Creating pressure to force movement."
"Exactly."
Lyannis smiled faintly. "So he wants us to advance toward him."
Rai'kanna grinned wider. "Perfect. I want that too."
"But not his way," Liriel said.
"No," I confirmed. "Ours."
The group fell silent for a few moments, absorbing everything.
"So what's the plan?" Elara asked.
I took a deep breath before answering.
"Train."
Lyannis let out a short laugh. "Seriously?"
"Yes," I replied. "We're not ready."
Rai'kanna raised an eyebrow. "After everything we've done?"
"After all of this… it became clear."
Scarlett watched me closely. "You mean against him…"
"It won't be enough."
Silence returned, heavier this time.
Vespera nodded slightly. "Then this pause isn't a retreat. It's real preparation."
"Yes."
Liriel exhaled. "Then let's use this time properly."
"We will."
From that moment on, the camp stopped being just a resting point. Every space gained a function. Every movement had a purpose.
Rai'kanna was the first to act. "Then start with me."
"Now?" I asked.
"Now."
Lyannis smiled. "I'll watch."
"You'll participate," Liriel said, pulling her by the arm.
Elara was already positioning herself. "We'll divide into blocks. Combat, support, and response."
Vespera added, "And adaptation."
Scarlett looked at me. "You're leading this."
I nodded.
"Then let's begin."
The training was intense from the very start. There was no lightness, no playfulness. Every mistake was corrected immediately. Every movement was analyzed.
Rai'kanna advanced with full force, constantly testing limits. Scarlett focused on precision, adjusting timing and awareness. Lyannis mixed unpredictability with speed, creating situations that were hard to anticipate.
Liriel kept her mind active the entire time, observing patterns and correcting flaws. Elara worked on support and perception, anticipating movements before they even happened. Vespera balanced everything, ensuring the group functioned as a unit.
And I…
I observed.
And adjusted.
"Again," I said after another exchange.
Rai'kanna took a deep breath but didn't complain.
"You're half a second slow," I told Scarlett.
"I know," she replied. "I'm adjusting."
"Don't adjust during. Adjust before."
She nodded.
"Liriel, you're right, but your response is slow."
"Because I'm analyzing too much," she replied.
"Then analyze beforehand."
Elara raised her hand. "If we anticipate wrong, we leave an opening."
"Then we cover it," Vespera answered.
Lyannis smiled. "Now this is getting fun."
The training continued for hours.
No long breaks.
No real rest.
Until the body started responding automatically.
Until movements flowed without conscious thought.
Until the group acted as one.
When we finally stopped, the silence was different.
It was no longer tension.
It was focus.
Scarlett approached, breathing slightly heavier.
"That made a difference."
"It did," I replied.
Rai'kanna smiled, clearly satisfied. "Now this is more like it."
Lyannis dropped to the ground. "Okay, now I'm tired."
Liriel sighed. "A miracle."
Elara looked at me. "And you?"
"I thought of something."
Vespera tilted her head slightly. "About him?"
"Yes."
They all became attentive.
"If he's guiding us… then he wants to control the field."
Scarlett nodded. "Then we need to take that away from him."
"Exactly."
Rai'kanna grinned. "Then we choose where to fight."
"Yes."
Liriel crossed her arms. "And force him to come to us."
"Or expose himself," Elara added.
Lyannis lifted her head slightly. "Now that's interesting."
Vespera looked directly at me. "You've already decided, haven't you?"
I took a deep breath.
"Yes."
Scarlett asked, "Then say it."
I looked at all of them.
"Next time… it won't be just another encounter."
The wind passed lightly through the camp.
And for the first time…
It didn't feel like we were being pressured.
It felt…
Like we were preparing to push back.
"Next time," I continued, "will be the beginning of the end."
And this time…
I was ready to go to him.