I remained still for a few seconds, staring at that figure in the distance. It wasn't doubt. It wasn't speculation. It was certainty. The third general was there, waiting. There was no disguise, no attempt to hide his presence. That was an invitation… or a warning.
I took a deep breath, feeling the pressure in the air grow heavier with each passing moment. It wasn't just something physical—it was as if the entire environment was under his control.
"So this is it," I said, without taking my eyes off the figure.
Scarlett moved a little closer to my side. "You feel it too."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna let out a soft laugh. "Now this is real presence."
Lyannis tilted her head, analyzing. "He hasn't moved at all."
"He doesn't need to," said Liriel. "We already came to him."
Elara observed the terrain around us carefully. "This place wasn't chosen by chance."
Vespera confirmed. "It's wide, open… no cover. Ideal for large-scale combat."
I finally looked away for a moment, analyzing everything around us. The terrain was dry, uneven in some areas, but mostly open. Old battle marks were scattered throughout, some deep enough to indicate large-scale fights.
"They've fought here before," I said.
Scarlett nodded. "And lost."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna spun her weapon, excited. "Then we change that."
"It's not that simple," said Liriel.
"It doesn't need to be simple," Lyannis replied, smiling. "It just needs to be interesting."
I ignored the comment and kept analyzing. The field was good for combat… but also for traps.
"He wants space," I said.
Vespera looked at me. "To use everything he has."
"Exactly."
Elara stepped forward. "And so do we."
I looked at the group.
"We're not advancing directly."
Rai'kanna frowned slightly. "Not even now?"
"No. First… we position ourselves."
Scarlett understood immediately. "You want to control the field before the confrontation."
"Yes."
Liriel nodded. "If we enter unprepared, he dictates the pace."
Lyannis sighed. "You all really like to complicate things."
"It keeps us alive," Vespera replied.
I began giving instructions, adjusting each position based on the terrain. Rai'kanna stayed further ahead, ready to intercept any advance. Scarlett remained by my side, prepared for direct response. Lyannis stayed looser, covering flanks with mobility. Liriel and Elara positioned slightly behind, controlling perception and support. Vespera balanced everything.
"No reckless advance," I said. "If he comes, we react. If he doesn't… we force it later."
Rai'kanna smiled. "Now this feels like a real fight."
The wind swept across the field, lifting dry dust for a moment. The figure in the distance remained still.
"He still hasn't moved," Scarlett said.
"Because he doesn't need to," I replied. "He already controls this place."
Elara closed her eyes briefly. "His presence is everywhere on this field."
Liriel added, "As if every point is being monitored."
Vespera crossed her arms. "So we're not just facing him… but his territory."
"Yes."
Lyannis smiled slightly. "That just makes things better."
I ignored it again and stayed focused.
"Stay alert," I said. "This won't start directly."
And I was right.
The first sign didn't come from the front.
It came from the side.
A slight distortion in the air, almost imperceptible, but enough for Elara to react first.
"Movement on the left!"
Rai'kanna was already in motion before I even spoke. The impact came hard, but she held it without stepping back. A demon appeared out of nowhere, attacking at high speed, but was immediately intercepted.
"Now it's started," said Lyannis, appearing behind and taking down another that tried to approach.
Scarlett advanced with me, cutting down two more that appeared ahead.
"They're emerging from the field," said Liriel.
"They're not coming from outside," Elara completed.
"Then this place is full of them," said Rai'kanna, smiling.
"Focus!" I said.
The fight intensified quickly. Unlike before, there was no gradual advance. Enemies appeared from multiple points, trying to apply pressure all at once.
But this time…
We were ready.
"Right!" said Liriel.
Lyannis appeared instantly, intercepting.
"Behind!" Elara warned.
Vespera was already there, blocking.
Scarlett stayed by my side, adjusting every movement with me.
"Don't let any openings form," I said.
"I won't," she replied.
Rai'kanna advanced and retreated at the right moments, holding the front line without overexposing herself.
The combat remained balanced.
But something was off.
"They're not trying to win," I said.
"They're applying pressure," Vespera replied.
"Testing," Liriel added.
I glanced forward.
The figure…
Still hadn't moved.
"He's watching," said Scarlett.
"Yes."
Elara narrowed her eyes slightly. "And adjusting."
That became clear in the next instant.
The attacks changed.
More coordinated.
More precise.
"Now it's serious," said Rai'kanna.
Lyannis smiled. "Finally."
I took a deep breath, adjusting my stance.
"Hold formation," I said. "Don't advance past the limit."
Scarlett understood. "You want to maintain control."
"Yes."
The battle went on for several minutes. It was no longer a quick exchange. It was a constant test of endurance, attention, and coordination.
And we were holding.
Not easily.
But with control.
Until…
Suddenly…
The attacks stopped.
All enemies disappeared the same way they appeared.
Without warning.
Without retreat.
They simply… vanished.
Silence returned.
Heavy.
Strange.
"That's not normal," said Liriel.
"No," I replied.
Rai'kanna looked around, clearly frustrated. "They just… stopped?"
"No," said Vespera. "That was intentional."
Scarlett tightened her grip on her weapon. "Then what was that?"
I turned my gaze forward again.
To the figure.
Who finally…
Moved.
One step.
Simple.
But enough to make the pressure on the field increase to an absurd level.
Elara stepped back instinctively. "This…"
Liriel locked her gaze. "Now this…"
Lyannis smiled—but not playfully this time. "So he decided to step in."
Rai'kanna broke into a wide grin. "Finally."
I said nothing.
I just watched.
And in that moment…
It became clear.
Everything until now…
Had not been a battle.
It had been a test.
And now…
The real confrontation…
Was about to begin.